Not just under 40,000 NTD in travel cost!! 2018 Japan-Korea cherry blossom craze – cruise ships throw yukata parties

Next year, Tokushima’s Katsuura Town will close the town exclusively for Lion Travel tourists to enjoy cherry blossoms. (Photo provided by Lion Travel)

Taiwanese are crazy about cherry blossom viewing, and during the peak season, transportation, food, and accommodation are often in short supply, with average tour group costs exceeding 40,000 NTD. During holiday periods, prices can go up to 50,000 NTD or more. Domestic travel agencies and international cruise companies are set to launch Japan-Korea cherry blossom tours next year. These packages not only include exclusive group cherry blossom viewings with village closures, cycling tours, celebrity-guided routes, and “? Night Markets,” but also plan to host traditional Japanese yukata dance parties on the cruise decks. In addition to teaching traditional Japanese dances, early bird prices start as low as under 40,000 NTD for the trip.

Spotting the market demand for premium cruise experiences and the public’s love for cherry blossom tours, Lion Travel has exclusively chartered the first luxury cruise ship designed for the Chinese market — the Majestic Princess — to launch a 2018 Japan-Korea cherry blossom cruise package. It includes two departures on March 26 and April 1, with over 70% of tickets already sold. The March 26 sailing is the most popular, with nearly 90% of tickets sold, and balcony cabins are almost sold out.

Domestic travel operators have combined themed travel with innovative activities, using the “cruise+” concept to plan exclusive events and charter ships. Aside from sailing on a new cruise ship, Lion Travel’s Theme Travel Department General Manager You Guozhen said this is the first cherry blossom cruise package in Asia, the first sailing of the Majestic Princess in Taiwan, and the world’s first ever thousand-person cherry blossom tour. Travelers can collect photos at famous cherry blossom spots such as Kagoshima, Tokushima, Osaka, and Busan in just one trip, and also participate in the exclusive “Katsuura Town” village closure cherry blossom viewing event for Lion VIPs, enjoying an authentic Japanese cherry blossom experience.

In addition, Lion Travel is combining sports elements with cherry blossom viewing by organizing cycling tours, celebrity-guided cherry blossom runs, and “? Night Market” activities, aiming to create unforgettable cherry blossom memories for travelers. Furthermore, the excitement of the Taipei Universiade isn’t limited to land. Centered around the theme “2018 ‘Lion’ Universiade,” the cruise offers diverse maritime sports activities, including fun competitions based on Universiade events like basketball, tennis, and table tennis.

There’s even the “Supermodel Survival Show” where models board the ship to teach runway walking tips and hold amateur fashion shows, letting participants shine on the catwalk. The “Loud Voice Sports” event invites everyone to join the “Sea Karaoke Contest: The Voice at Sea,” competing in singing. The “Xin Lecture” maritime academy invites experts in running, skiing, mountaineering, and golf to share valuable experience onboard. And there’s also a fully Japanese-style yukata dance party on deck, featuring lessons in traditional Japanese dance, giving everyone the chance to dance, play, learn, and celebrate in true Japanese style.