Cruising from Manila is uncommon due to a number of elements, together with the dearth of an ordinary cruise passenger terminal and different logistical challenges. However occasionally, main tour operators within the Philippines constitution cruise ships on particular routes for a restricted time, giving Filipinos the prospect to expertise cruising from Manila.
So, if you wish to strive cruising to Japan straight from Manila, that is your probability. No visa and no worldwide flights wanted! Adora Mediterranea has particular sailings from December 2026 to early January 2027.
However what are you able to anticipate on board and is it price it? On this article, we’ll share the obtainable routes, onboard facilities, estimated prices, and different issues that you must know earlier than you e book.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! In case your are touring quickly and nonetheless on the strategy planning stage, it’s also possible to go to our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Right here, we compiled journey necessities, together with immigration necessities and all our advisable motels and excursions. Simply go to this web page: TPT Masterlist. Now we have a compilation for locations all over the world.
About Adora Mediterranea
Adora Mediterranea is among the three ships operated by Adora Cruises, a US-China cruise line that started working beneath its present identify post-pandemic. The corporate, nonetheless, was initially established in 2015 beneath a unique identify.
Adora Mediterranea cruise ship was bought from Costa Cruises, an Italian cruise firm, and also you’ll discover its Italian heritage as quickly as you enter the ship. A lot of the signage remains to be in Italian, and you’ll even spot Costa logos on the plaques exterior the staterooms. Regardless of that, Adora Mediterranea appears to be like and feels very well-maintained.
In contrast to most cruise ships, Adora Mediterranea doesn’t keep in a single homeport year-round. As a substitute, it operates on a seasonal and rotating homeport mannequin throughout a number of main Asian hubs, principally in China — Guangzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Qingdao, and Shenzhen. After we tried it, we boarded in Tianjin, the port metropolis subsequent to Beijing.
However excellent news! UOS, one of many largest tour operators within the nation, has chartered Adora Mediterranea for particular sailings straight from Manila.
Adora Mediterranea Manila Crusing Dates
There’ll solely be three sailings, all with ports of name in Japan! They usually all fall in the course of the vacation season, so if you wish to have fun Christmas or welcome the New 12 months differently, it’s one thing to think about. Listed here are the crusing dates!
7D/6N: December 21-27, 2026
🇵🇭 Manila
🇯🇵 Naha
🇯🇵 Miyakojima
🇵🇭 Manila
7D/6N: December 27, 2026 – January 2, 2027
🇵🇭 Manila
🇯🇵 Naha
🇯🇵 Miyakojima
🇵🇭 Manila
5D/4N: January 2-6, 2027
🇵🇭 Manila
🇯🇵 Miyakojima
🇵🇭 Manila
Naha and Miyakojima are elements of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. However it isn’t in mainland Japan.
And since Japan is visa-free for registered cruise ship passengers, NO VISA NEEDED.
What’s nice about these sailings is that they depart from Manila, so that you don’t have to take a world flight. Usually, with different cruise strains, you would need to fly to their homeports in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, or Taiwan to embark earlier than setting sail.
Easy methods to E book
Since these are chartered sailings, you possibly can’t e book them by way of the official Adora Cruises web site. In the event you go to the location, you gained’t discover Manila on the listing of departure ports.
You may solely e book these particular sailings by way of journey businesses affiliated with UOS. And we are able to confidently advocate Worldwide Journeys as a result of we personally know its proprietor and president, Kem Lim. However extra importantly, they’re dependable {and professional}. In the event you resolve to hitch one of many three sailings, take into account reserving by way of them. We additionally get credited for each reserving at no further value to you.
The easiest way to contact them is through Fb. However it’s also possible to attain them by way of any of those contact particulars:
Totally different Cabin Varieties
Earlier than we focus on the charges, let’s first go over the completely different cabin varieties. That is vital as a result of the value is determined by the kind of stateroom or cabin you select.
Adora Mediterranea has 5 foremost cabin (or stateroom) classes: Inside Cabin, Oceanview Cabin, Balcony Cabin, Balcony Suite, and Grand Balcony Suite. Most cabins can accommodate as much as 4 visitors, besides the Grand Balcony Suite. However the third and fourth visitors should use the couch mattress.
We had been in a position to see most of those cabin varieties throughout our final crusing.
Balcony Cabins
On our most up-to-date cruise, we stayed in a Balcony Cabin. The format varies relying on the variety of visitors, however basically, it contains a mattress that may be organized as both one queen-size mattress or two twin beds, together with a settee that converts into an additional mattress.
For us, Balcony Cabin presents the very best worth. Having your personal non-public balcony with a view of the ocean actually enhances the cruise expertise. The room is brighter, cozier, and extra snug.
We additionally had the prospect to see the Panoramic Suite. The cabin is greater than the standard balcony room. Even the balcony and the toilet are extra spacious.
Inside Cabins
In the event you’re on a price range, the most cost effective choice is the Inside Cabin. Additionally it is comes with a rest room and bathtub however has no window or balcony. For teams of 4, there’s a bunk-bed model configuration obtainable. It presents virtually the identical facilities because the balcony room, however smaller. This cabin kind is good in the event you plan to spend most of your time exterior having fun with the ship’s facilities and solely want a spot to sleep.
Oceanview Cabin
The Oceanview Cabin has a setup much like the balcony cabin, however as an alternative of a balcony, it’s furnished with a window. The room nonetheless appears to be like vibrant, and you’ll nonetheless take pleasure in views of the ocean by way of your window. These cabins are situated on the decrease deck.
Grand Suite
In the event you’re prepared to splurge, there’s additionally the Grand Suite. The format is extra elaborate, with a separate bed room and residing space, plus an extended non-public balcony. The suite we checked out was located on the aft (rear) of the ship, so you could have an ideal view. From right here, you possibly can watch the ship’s wake and wash, the path it leaves behind because it strikes by way of the water.
Adora Mediterranea Costs & Promos
So, how a lot is the cruise?
The charges rely on three elements: the route, the cabin kind, and what number of visitors occupying the room (twin sharing, triple sharing, quad sharing).
Beneath are the official posters for Adora Mediterranea’s sailings from Manila.
7D/6N Cruise
5D/4N Cruise
As you possibly can see, the value is determined by the room kind and the variety of visitors staying within the room. The pricing is usually a bit complicated, so we’ll clarify additional.
For its Manila sailings, Adora Mediterranea is providing this deal: Purchase 2, Get 50% OFF for third Pax, and 4th Pax sails FREE!
What does it imply? If there are 4 of you sharing a room, say you’re a household or a bunch of buddy, solely the primary two visitors pay the complete cruise fare. The third visitor pays solely 50%, whereas the fourth visitor’s cruise fare is totally free.
If there are solely three of you sharing a cabin (triple sharing), the third visitor nonetheless will get 50% OFF the cruise fare.
Take into account that this promo applies solely to the CRUISE FARE. There are nonetheless different fees that you simply’ll have to pay, which we’ll focus on in a bit. For now, let’s deal with the cruise fare itself.
The most cost effective choice obtainable is the 5D/4N crusing from January 2 to six. Let’s use the Oceanview Room with Quad Sharing (4 visitors in a single cabin) for example. So, how a lot would every particular person pay? Beneath is the computation:
CRUISE FARE: OCEANVIEW ROOM
Visitor 1: $888
Visitor 2: $888
Visitor 3: $449
Visitor 4: FREE
———————–
TOTAL: $2,225PER PERSON: $556.25 (P34,105)
Cruise Fare Inclusions
So, what are included within the cruise fare?
- Lodging for 5D/4N
- Onboard All-day Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at inclusive eating places). These are limitless. There are two inclusive eating places. Buffet and full-service plated meals can be found. We’ll focus on them in additional element later within the eating places part.
- Dwell Night Exhibits/Leisure
- Actions
- Entry to Facilities
And naturally, you additionally get to go to Okinawa.
Many individuals assume they’re solely paying for the room, however that’s not the case. The cruise fare additionally consists of meals and others talked about above.
Cruise Fare Exclusions
Now, what bills will not be coated and must be added to your price range?
- Port Costs. USD 150/pax (to be paid upon reserving). That’s round P9197. That is the payment for utilizing the ports included in your cruise itinerary. Many individuals are stunned by this, particularly those that have cruised with different cruise strains, as a result of port fees are normally already included within the quoted fare if you e book on-line. Different cruise strains cost them too. They’re simply tucked into the entire value. However on this case, they’re charged individually.
- Japan Arrival Charge. USD 20 (to be paid on board). That is about P1226. This goes to the Japanese authorities.
- Gratuities. HKD 560/pax (to be paid on board). These are the service ideas shared among the many employees/crew members, particularly the waiters who serve you and cabin attendant or cabin steward. Take word that that is charged in Hong Kong {Dollars} (HKD). So, that is roughly P4378 per particular person. In the event you’re staying in a set, the gratuity is greater at HKD 640.
- Journey Insurance coverage. That is non-obligatory. You may e book PGA Sompo’s TravelJoy Plus. They’re the one supplier I do know that gives insurance coverage for cruises. The Funds choice’s premium got here out to round P698. Nonetheless, you will get a decrease fee in the event you use the code WORTHIT. Simply e book at www.thepoortraveler.internet/shield, which redirects to the official web site of PGA Sompo TravelJoy.
- Philippine Journey Tax. PHP 1620 (to be paid on-line). And because it’s a web based transaction, there’s additionally a comfort payment and, in the event you’re utilizing a bank card, an extra service cost. So, let’s simply assume a complete of P1700.
- Shore Tour. That is utterly non-obligatory. We don’t have info but on the obtainable excursions in Naha or Miyakojima or how a lot they’ll value. However it’s also possible to pull a DIY or what they name “Free and Straightforward”.
- Web/Wifi. These are the costs on our current crusing from Tianjin:
1GB Bundle
(All APP, 1GB knowledge solely, single-device)
HKD 2275GB Bundle
(All APP, 5GB knowledge solely, single-device)
HKD 698Social Bundle
(WeChat, WhatsApp, fundamental textual content message solely, legitimate for present cruise with no knowledge restrict)
HKD 388 (single-device)
HKD 688 (dual-devices)Limitless WiFi Bundle
(All APP, limitless knowledge, single-device)
HKD 1688We’re unsure if the costs would be the similar for the Manila sailings. We discovered ours fairly costly, so we determined to not buy one. I didn’t actually thoughts being offline as a result of I used to be touring with Asta, and he or she’s a type of mates I can discuss to for hours. We had been in a position to reconnect to the web at any time when we had been at port.
By the way in which, at any time when I’m overseas, I exploit Airalo. It’s an app that you should use to buy an eSIM. It’s straightforward to make use of. You’ll discover limitless knowledge plans, however because you’ll solely be in Japan for a day, I believe the 3GB plan for USD 7.50 must be greater than sufficient. And in the event you use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELER, you will get 15% OFF, bringing the value right down to USD 6.37 (P391).
Additionally, this doesn’t embody the bills in the event you resolve to do some buying onboard. Sure, there are retailers on the ship, and you’ll actually discover some nice offers there. And in the event you go on a meals journey if you get off the ship, these bills are totally as much as you. And at last, your transportation from and to the port shouldn’t be included in the event you’ll take the “Free and Straightforward” approach to discover.
How A lot Funds to Put together
So, let’s compute! Once more, this assumes that you simply’re a bunch of 4 (4) staying in a quad-sharing Oceanview room.
Be aware: The forex conversion used right here is predicated on the change fee on the time this text was written: USD 1 = PHP 61.31. After all, these figures will change because the change fee fluctuates.
CRUISE EXPENSES SAMPLE COMPUTATION
P34,105: Cruise Fare
P9197: Port Costs
P4378: Gratuities
P1226: Japan Arrival Charge
P1700: PH Journey Tax + Charge
P673: TravelJoy Insurance coverage
P391: Airalo Japan eSIM
———————————-
P51,670: TOTAL
That’s the minimal price range you need to put together per pax. I say “minimal” as a result of this doesn’t but cowl no matter you’ll spend when you go ashore.
For me, this price range is affordable, contemplating that limitless meals and plenty of different charges are already included. You may get good worth in your cash in the event you profit from all the things that’s included.
Nonetheless, in the event you’ve already cruised in different international locations, whether or not within the US or Europe, you’ll most likely discover this a bit costly as a result of cruises overseas are typically cheaper. Since this can be a chartered crusing and there’s no competitors, that’s simply how the pricing works — very similar to with Costa Serena.
However in the event you’re the kind who doesn’t wish to fly to Hong Kong or Singapore and easily wish to strive cruising from Manila, then that is nonetheless a very good choice.
Adora Cruises Necessities
Earlier, I’ve talked about that you simply don’t want a pre-approved Japan visa. It’s true, however your nonetheless want your passport and different paperwork.
Necessities
Listed here are the paperwork and issues to arrange:
- Legitimate Passport
- Cruise Reserving Voucher
- Baggage Tags. Print it out and connect it to your check-in baggage.
- Photocopies of your Passport’s Bio Web page. Identical dimension, not enlarged.
- Money and/or Credit score Card. Utilizing a bank card is extra handy, however money remains to be accepted. Throughout our cruise, the default onboard forex was Hong Kong {Dollars} (HKD).
Boarding Course of
As for the boarding course of, we have now not been knowledgeable but the way it will work in Manila. For certain, the journey company you booked with will present all the required particulars and directions. And once more, we hope you’ll e book by way of Worldwide Journeys. Listed here are the contact particulars as soon as once more:
Worldwide Journeys
The final time, for Costa Serena, boarding was on the Eva Macapagal Tremendous Terminal, with a bus service from Quirino Grandstand. We’re unsure if Adora Mediterranea will observe the identical association. It’s greatest to test along with your journey company.
The place to Keep Close to the Port of Manila
If you’re from exterior Metro Manila and want a spot to remain earlier than the cruise, there are many choices close to the port.
You may e book through Agoda. It can save you extra in the event you use our promo code AGODATPT for 10% OFF, capped at as much as P6100. To use and avail of the promo code, go to AGODATPT Promo Code.
Seek for extra Manila Lodges!
Facilities & Eating places
Adora Mediterranea has 12 decks, with 1029 cabins. Round 64% of cabins have non-public balconies. It may possibly accommodate as much as 2680 visitors.
Inclusive Eating places
There are two inclusive eating places. Which means, they’re already coated by your cruise fare, which is why they are referred to as “inclusive”. In the event you dine at both of those eating places, you don’t have to pay something further. And sure, each provide limitless eating.
- Ristorante Buffet Perla del Lago. The ship’s informal buffet restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. At late evening, they serve Chines-style porridge, which can be complimentary. Location: Deck 9, Mid & Aft
- Ristorante Degli Argentieri. The ship’s foremost eating room, seating over 1300 visitors. This one presents advantageous eating. Complimentary breakfast and lunch are served with open seating. In our expertise, breakfast and lunch had been normally served buffet-style, whereas dinner adopted a standard fixed-seating model, that includes a full-service menu. You may select appetizers, foremost programs, and desserts from a menu. Once more, eating right here is limitless, so in the event you can’t resolve what to eat, you possibly can order two or extra dishes. It’s totally as much as you. Simply ensure you can end all the things to keep away from meals waste. Location: Deck 2 & 3, Aft
Different Eating Choices
You’ll additionally discover specialty eating places, which provide paid eating experiences. We didn’t get to strive any of them on our final cruise, however right here’s the listing:
- Ristorante Ocean. Serves Thai delicacies. Location: Deck 2, Aft
- Ristorante Medusa (Membership Medusa). An intimate, reservation-only restaurant for a extra refined eating expertise, excellent for visitors searching for a quieter and extra unique environment. Location: Deck 10, Mid
- Scorching Pot & Noodle. Because the identify implies, it presents sizzling pot and noodle choices. Location: Deck 9, Mid
- Pizza & Burger. Want we are saying extra? Location: Deck 9, Aft
- Wellness Restaurant. A health-focused restaurant serving wholesome and low-calorie dishes. Complimentary for visitors staying in Wellness cabins, whereas different passengers can dine right here for an additional payment with reservations. Location: Deck 2, Aft
There’s additionally a 24-Hour Room Service. Company can order meals and drinks to their cabin at any time of the day or evening. We weren’t in a position to ask in regards to the room service fee, so we’re unsure how a lot it prices.
Leisure & Facilities
- Teatro Osiris. A spectacular 950-seat Egyptian-themed theatre internet hosting musicals, concert events, dance performances, and nightly manufacturing exhibits. Location: Deck 2-4, Ahead
- Atrio Maschera d’Argento. The gorgeous 10-deck-high atrium, that includes panoramic glass elevators and dwell music performances. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Negozi di Through Condotti. Obligation-free buying space promoting luggage, watches, jewelry, perfumes, style, items, liquor, and souvenirs. Location: Deck 3, Mid
- Biblioteca. A quiet library. Exhausting to search out! We labored right here on sea days. We had been normally the one folks utilizing it, so we had the complete space all to ourselves. Location: Deck 3, Ahead
- Mondo Virtuale. Imagined to be an arcade full of video video games and leisure machines, however on our final cruise, it was transformed into the Youngsters Membership. Location: Deck 4, Ahead
- Cappella. An onboard chapel used for weddings and non secular providers. Location: Deck 4, Ahead
- Galleria Foto & Artwork Gallery. Browse skilled cruise photographs and artworks. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Tour Counter. For reserving port-of-call excursions (shore excursions). Location: Deck 2, Mid
Lounges & Bars
- Salone Giardino Isolabella. A classy lounge that includes dwell music and leisure in a relaxed setting. Location: Deck 1, Ahead
- Discoteca Selva. The ship’s energetic nightclub and disco, full with DJs and dancing till late. Location: Deck 1 & 2, Aft
- Piazza Casanova. A central lounge and dance venue served by the Casanova Bar. Location: Deck 2, Ahead
- Bar Canal Grande. Beside Piazza Casanova. Serves the sport space. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Lounge Talia. A lounge with a stage, dance flooring, and bar for dwell performances and social gatherings. Location: Deck 2, Aft
- Salone Orientale/Roero VIP Lounge. A complicated piano lounge with a dance flooring and a grand piano. Location: Deck 3, Ahead
- Bar Atrio Maschera d’Argento. The principle bar, strategically situated on the atrium. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Bar Dionisio. A comfortable bar lounge for drinks and dialog. Location: Deck 3, Aft
- Terrazza d’Inverno. A chic indoor backyard terrace, supreme for stress-free. Location: Deck 3, Ahead
Wellness & Health
- Terme Ischia Spa. A big, two-level spa advanced that includes therapy rooms, magnificence salon, aromatherapy steam rooms, saunas and Turkish bathtub, Hydrotherapy pool, and Rest areas. Location: Deck 9, Ahead
- Palestra Olympia. Absolutely geared up health club and health centre. Location: Deck 9, Ahead
- Sala Olympia. Devoted room for aerobics and health lessons. Location: Deck 10, Ahead
- UVA Solarium. Sunbathing space with tanning amenities. Location: Deck 9, Ahead
Swimming pools & Out of doors Areas
- Solarium. The ship’s largest open-air deck, excellent for sunbathing and having fun with sea views. Location: Deck 10
- Piscina Armonia. Essential swimming pool with a whirlpool and pool bar. Location: Deck 9, Ahead
- Piscina Cadmo. Glass-roofed pool space that includes a whirlpool and informal environment. Location: Deck 9, Mid
- Lido Apollo. Out of doors pool with whirlpool and its personal bar. Location: Deck 9, Aft
- Lido Squok. A smaller swimming pool designed particularly for kids. Location: Deck 11, Aft
- Water Slide. Location: Deck 10-11, Aft
- 5 Jacuzzis. Unfold all through the ship for rest.
Sports activities Services
- Campo da Gioco. Multi-purpose sports activities court docket for tennis and basketball. Location: Deck 11, Ahead
- Pista da Jogging. Out of doors strolling and jogging observe. Location: Deck 11, Ahead
- Deck Video games Space. Options desk tennis and shuffleboard for informal enjoyable. Deck 9, Mid
Household & Children Services
- Squok Membership. Youngsters’s membership with devoted areas for ages 3-11, providing supervised actions and complimentary babysitting. Location: Deck 5, Ahead
- Teen Zone. Hangout space for youngsters aged 12-17, that includes themed events, video games, and sports activities competitions. Location: Deck 4, Ahead
General, Adora Mediterranea leans closely into an Italian-style cruising expertise.
Easy methods to Discover Ports of Name
How about if you arrive in Naha or Miyakojima? How are you going to go on a tour there? Are you able to get off the ship? Sure, you undoubtedly can! You could have a number of choices on the best way to do it.
If you wish to get monetary savings, you possibly can discover by yourself (DIY or Free and Straightforward). That’s precisely what we did throughout our crusing. We merely received off the ship. In Naha, we walked round and took the general public bus to save lots of on transportation prices.
The advantage of taking the Free-and-Straightforward route is that you’re answerable for your time. Because it was not our first time in Okinawa, we had been already assured exploring on our personal. Simply ensure you are again on the ship earlier than the scheduled departure time. To be secure, purpose to be again on board at the very least 1-2 hours earlier than departure.
However in the event you favor a correct tour, the ship additionally presents guided excursions (Shore Excursions). Once more, we don’t have the small print but on which excursions might be obtainable in Naha or Miyakojima and the way a lot they are going to value. However throughout our Adora crusing to Jeju and Incheon, the most cost effective was HKD 299, or round PHP 2350. We’re unsure but if the costs for Naha or Miyakojima might be comparable.
One benefit of reserving a shore tour is that you simply don’t want to determine transportation by yourself as a result of shuttle bus is already offered, and you’ve got a tour information. You additionally get to discover with different passengers. Most significantly, you don’t have to fret about being left behind by the ship. And sure, folks actually do get left behind.
Whenever you disembark, you’ll normally undergo Immigration first. Simply bear in mind to deliver your room key card and a photocopy of your passport.
Is it Value It?
I can say YES. It’s price it in the event you fall beneath any of those classes:
- If it’s your first time occurring a cruise. Because you don’t have a degree of comparability, it’s very possible that you simply’ll actually take pleasure in it. After al, it’s your first cruise! Moreover, we don’t get many alternatives to sail straight from Manila.
- If you wish to go to Okinawa with out flying.
- If you wish to go to Japan with out making use of for a visa. Whether or not you’re afraid of getting denied otherwise you’ve been denied earlier than and are hesitant to use once more, it’s a great way to set foot in Japan. It’s additionally exhibits their Immigration that you simply visited and exited as required, in order that subsequent time you apply, you could have a greater probability to get authorised.
From Manila, there’s no direct flight to Okinawa. It is advisable take a connecting flight from main cities in Japan, like Tokyo and Osaka, or from Hong Kong or Taiwan.
However in case you have tried different cruise ships earlier than, then it’s a must to handle your expectations. Adora Mediterranea is a comparatively small ship and has fewer facilities, particularly in relation to eating choices. It’s bigger in comparison with Star Cruises’ Navigator and Voyager, however means smaller than any Royal Caribbean ship working in Asia. In the event you’ve already sailed on Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, or Disney Journey, you’ll undoubtedly really feel the distinction in each dimension and options.
Most onboard facilities are bars and lounges. And since web on board could be costly, if you’ll not avail of it, ensure you’re touring with folks you genuinely take pleasure in spending time with. You’ll be pressured to speak to them more often than not, so they need to be companions you actually like and gained’t get bored speaking to.
For me, this can be a good entry-level cruise ship, particularly in the event you’re not but prepared to use for a Japanese visa.
Once more, in the event you’re , whether or not you’re reserving or simply inquiring, contact Worldwide Journeys.
When you’ve got questions, simply remark beneath, and we’ll attempt to reply them.
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✅ When you’ve got any questions or want journey ideas, be at liberty to publish them to the TPT Assist Group. The members are very useful. This Fb assist group has been round for a very long time, and plenty of members have discovered journey buddies by way of it. You may be a part of too! Simply go to The Poor Traveler Assist Group. Be aware that that is completely different from The Poor Traveler Fb web page.
Updates Log
2026 7 9 – First uploaded
Edited and extra writing by: Asta Alvarez
Photographs by: Yosh Dimen and Asta Alvarez
