2026 ADORA MEDITERRANEA Cruise Guide • Manila to Japan Sailings
Cruising from Manila is rare because of several factors, including the lack of a standard cruise passenger terminal and other logistical challenges. But once in a while, major tour operators in the Philippines charter cruise ships on special routes for a limited time, giving Filipinos the chance to experience cruising from Manila.
So, if you want to try cruising to Japan straight from Manila, this is your chance. No visa and no international flights needed! Adora Mediterranea has special sailings from December 2026 to early January 2027.
But what can you expect on board and is it worth it? In this article, we’ll share the available routes, onboard amenities, estimated costs, and other things you need to know before you book.
WAIT, WAIT, WAIT! If your are traveling soon and still on the planning stage, you can also visit our The Poor Traveler Masterlist. Here, we compiled travel essentials, including immigration requirements and all our recommended hotels and tours. Just visit this page: TPT Masterlist. We have a compilation for destinations around the world.
About Adora Mediterranea
Adora Mediterranea is one of the three ships operated by Adora Cruises, a US-China cruise line that began operating under its current name post-pandemic. The company, however, was originally established in 2015 under a different name.
Adora Mediterranea cruise ship was purchased from Costa Cruises, an Italian cruise company, and you’ll notice its Italian heritage as soon as you enter the ship. Much of the signage is still in Italian, and you can even spot Costa logos on the plaques outside the staterooms. Despite that, Adora Mediterranea looks and feels very well-maintained.
Unlike most cruise ships, Adora Mediterranea doesn’t stay in one homeport year-round. Instead, it operates on a seasonal and rotating homeport model across several major Asian hubs, mostly in China — Guangzhou, Tianjin, Xiamen, Qingdao, and Shenzhen. When we tried it, we boarded in Tianjin, the port city next to Beijing.
But good news! UOS, one of the biggest tour operators in the country, has chartered Adora Mediterranea for special sailings directly from Manila.
Adora Mediterranea Manila Sailing Dates
There will only be three sailings, all with ports of call in Japan! And they all fall during the holiday season, so if you want to celebrate Christmas or welcome the New Year in a different way, it’s something to consider. Here are the sailing 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 parts of Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. But it is not in mainland Japan.
And because Japan is visa-free for registered cruise ship passengers, NO VISA NEEDED.
What’s great about these sailings is that they depart from Manila, so you don’t need to take an international flight. Normally, with other cruise lines, you would have to fly to their homeports in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, or Taiwan to embark before setting sail.
How to Book
Since these are chartered sailings, you can’t book them through the official Adora Cruises website. If you visit the site, you won’t find Manila on the list of departure ports.
You can only book these special sailings through travel agencies affiliated with UOS. And we can confidently recommend International Journeys because we personally know its owner and president, Kem Lim. But more importantly, they are reliable and professional. If you decide to join one of the three sailings, consider booking through them. We also get credited for every booking at no extra cost to you.
The best way to contact them is via Facebook. But you can also reach them through any of these contact details:
Different Cabin Types
Before we discuss the rates, let’s first go over the different cabin types. This is important because the price depends on the type of stateroom or cabin you choose.
Adora Mediterranea has five main cabin (or stateroom) categories: Interior Cabin, Oceanview Cabin, Balcony Cabin, Balcony Suite, and Grand Balcony Suite. Most cabins can accommodate up to four guests, except the Grand Balcony Suite. But the third and fourth guests will have to use the sofa bed.
We were able to see most of these cabin types during our last sailing.
Balcony Cabins
On our most recent cruise, we stayed in a Balcony Cabin. The layout varies depending on the number of guests, but in general, it features a bed that can be arranged as either one queen-size bed or two twin beds, along with a sofa that converts into an extra bed.
For us, Balcony Cabin offers the best value. Having your own private balcony with a view of the sea really enhances the cruise experience. The room is brighter, cozier, and more comfortable.
We also had the chance to see the Panoramic Suite. The cabin is bigger than the usual balcony room. Even the balcony and the bathroom are more spacious.
Interior Cabins
If you’re on a budget, the cheapest option is the Interior Cabin. It is also comes with a toilet and bath but has no window or balcony. For groups of four, there’s a bunk-bed style configuration available. It offers almost the same amenities as the balcony room, but smaller. This cabin type is ideal if you plan to spend most of your time outside enjoying the ship’s amenities and only need a place to sleep.
Oceanview Cabin
The Oceanview Cabin has a setup similar to the balcony cabin, but instead of a balcony, it is furnished with a window. The room still looks bright, and you can still enjoy views of the sea through your window. These cabins are located on the lower deck.
Grand Suite
If you’re willing to splurge, there’s also the Grand Suite. The layout is more elaborate, with a separate bedroom and living area, plus a long private balcony. The suite we checked out was situated at the aft (rear) of the ship, so you have a great view. From here, you can watch the ship’s wake and wash, the trail it leaves behind as it moves through the water.
Adora Mediterranea Prices & Promos
So, how much is the cruise?
The rates depend on three factors: the route, the cabin type, and how many guests occupying the room (twin sharing, triple sharing, quad sharing).
Below are the official posters for Adora Mediterranea’s sailings from Manila.
7D/6N Cruise
5D/4N Cruise
As you can see, the price depends on the room type and the number of guests staying in the room. The pricing can be a bit confusing, so we’ll explain further.
For its Manila sailings, Adora Mediterranea is offering this deal: Buy 2, Get 50% OFF for 3rd Pax, and 4th Pax sails FREE!
What does it mean? If there are four of you sharing a room, say you’re a family or a group of friend, only the first two guests pay the full cruise fare. The third guest pays only 50%, while the fourth guest’s cruise fare is completely free.
If there are only three of you sharing a cabin (triple sharing), the third guest still gets 50% OFF the cruise fare.
Keep in mind that this promo applies only to the CRUISE FARE. There are still other charges that you’ll need to pay, which we’ll discuss in a bit. For now, let’s focus on the cruise fare itself.
The cheapest option available is the 5D/4N sailing from January 2 to 6. Let’s use the Oceanview Room with Quad Sharing (four guests in one cabin) as an example. So, how much would each person pay? Below is the computation:
CRUISE FARE: OCEANVIEW ROOM
Guest 1: $888
Guest 2: $888
Guest 3: $449
Guest 4: FREE
———————–
TOTAL: $2,225PER PERSON: $556.25 (P34,105)
Cruise Fare Inclusions
So, what are included in the cruise fare?
- Accommodations for 5D/4N
- Onboard All-day Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner at inclusive restaurants). These are unlimited. There are two inclusive restaurants. Buffet and full-service plated meals are available. We’ll discuss them in more detail later in the restaurants section.
- Live Evening Shows/Entertainment
- Activities
- Access to Amenities
And of course, you also get to visit Okinawa.
Many people think they are only paying for the room, but that’s not the case. The cruise fare also includes food and others mentioned above.
Cruise Fare Exclusions
Now, what expenses are not covered and should be added to your budget?
- Port Charges. USD 150/pax (to be paid upon booking). That’s around P9197. This is the fee for using the ports included in your cruise itinerary. Many people are surprised by this, especially those who have cruised with other cruise lines, because port charges are usually already included in the quoted fare when you book online. Other cruise lines charge them too. They are just tucked into the total price. But in this case, they are charged separately.
- Japan Arrival Fee. USD 20 (to be paid on board). This is about P1226. This goes to the Japanese government.
- Gratuities. HKD 560/pax (to be paid on board). These are the service tips shared among the staff/crew members, especially the waiters who serve you and cabin attendant or cabin steward. Take note that this is charged in Hong Kong Dollars (HKD). So, this is roughly P4378 per person. If you’re staying in a suite, the gratuity is higher at HKD 640.
- Travel Insurance. This is optional. You can book PGA Sompo’s TravelJoy Plus. They are the only provider I know that offers insurance for cruises. The Budget option’s premium came out to around P698. However, you can get a lower rate if you use the code WORTHIT. Just book at www.thepoortraveler.net/protect, which redirects to the official website of PGA Sompo TravelJoy.
- Philippine Travel Tax. PHP 1620 (to be paid online). And since it’s an online transaction, there’s also a convenience fee and, if you’re using a credit card, an additional service charge. So, let’s just assume a total of P1700.
- Shore Excursion. This is completely optional. We don’t have information yet on the available tours in Naha or Miyakojima or how much they’ll cost. But you can also pull a DIY or what they call “Free and Easy”.
- Internet/Wifi. These are the prices on our recent sailing from Tianjin:
1GB Package
(All APP, 1GB data only, single-device)
HKD 2275GB Package
(All APP, 5GB data only, single-device)
HKD 698Social Package
(WeChat, WhatsApp, basic text message only, valid for current cruise with no data limit)
HKD 388 (single-device)
HKD 688 (dual-devices)Unlimited WiFi Package
(All APP, unlimited data, single-device)
HKD 1688We’re not sure if the prices will be the same for the Manila sailings. We found ours quite expensive, so we decided not to purchase one. I didn’t really mind being offline because I was traveling with Asta, and she’s one of those friends I can talk to for hours. We were able to reconnect to the internet whenever we were at port.
By the way, whenever I’m abroad, I use Airalo. It’s an app that you can use to purchase an eSIM. It’s easy to use. You’ll find unlimited data plans, but since you’ll only be in Japan for a day, I think the 3GB plan for USD 7.50 should be more than enough. And if you use our promo code THEPOORTRAVELER, you can get 15% OFF, bringing the price down to USD 6.37 (P391).
Also, this doesn’t include the expenses if you decide to do some shopping onboard. Yes, there are shops on the ship, and you can really find some great deals there. And if you go on a food trip when you get off the ship, those expenses are entirely up to you. And finally, your transportation from and to the port is not included if you’ll take the “Free and Easy” way to explore.
How Much Budget to Prepare
So, let’s compute! Again, this assumes that you’re a group of four (4) staying in a quad-sharing Oceanview room.
Note: The currency conversion used here is based on the exchange rate at the time this article was written: USD 1 = PHP 61.31. Of course, these figures will change as the exchange rate fluctuates.
CRUISE EXPENSES SAMPLE COMPUTATION
P34,105: Cruise Fare
P9197: Port Charges
P4378: Gratuities
P1226: Japan Arrival Fee
P1700: PH Travel Tax + Fee
P673: TravelJoy Insurance
P391: Airalo Japan eSIM
———————————-
P51,670: TOTAL
That’s the minimum budget you should prepare per pax. I say “minimum” because this does not yet cover whatever you’ll spend once you go ashore.
For me, this budget is reasonable, considering that unlimited meals and many other fees are already included. You can get good value for your money if you make the most of everything that’s included.
However, if you’ve already cruised in other countries, whether in the US or Europe, you’ll probably find this a bit expensive because cruises abroad are generally cheaper. Since this is a chartered sailing and there’s no competition, that’s just how the pricing works — much like with Costa Serena.
But if you’re the type who doesn’t want to fly to Hong Kong or Singapore and simply want to try cruising from Manila, then this is still a good option.
Adora Cruises Requirements
Earlier, I’ve mentioned that you don’t need a pre-approved Japan visa. It’s true, but your still need your passport and other documents.
Requirements
Here are the documents and things to prepare:
- Valid Passport
- Cruise Booking Voucher
- Luggage Tags. Print it out and attach it to your check-in luggage.
- Photocopies of your Passport’s Bio Page. Same size, not enlarged.
- Cash and/or Credit Card. Using a credit card is more convenient, but cash is still accepted. During our cruise, the default onboard currency was Hong Kong Dollars (HKD).
Boarding Process
As for the boarding process, we have not been informed yet how it will work in Manila. For sure, the travel agency you booked with will provide all the necessary details and instructions. And again, we hope you’ll book through International Journeys. Here are the contact details once again:
International Journeys
The last time, for Costa Serena, boarding was at the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, with a bus service from Quirino Grandstand. We’re not sure if Adora Mediterranea will follow the same arrangement. It’s best to check with your travel agency.
Where to Stay Near the Port of Manila
If you are from outside Metro Manila and need a place to stay before the cruise, there are plenty of options near the port.
You can book via Agoda. You can save more if you use our promo code AGODATPT for 10% OFF, capped at up to P6100. To apply and avail of the promo code, visit AGODATPT Promo Code.
Search for more Manila Hotels!
Amenities & Restaurants
Adora Mediterranea has 12 decks, with 1029 cabins. Around 64% of cabins have private balconies. It can accommodate up to 2680 guests.
Inclusive Restaurants
There are two inclusive restaurants. Meaning, they are already covered by your cruise fare, which is why they are called “inclusive”. If you dine at either of these restaurants, you don’t need to pay anything extra. And yes, both offer unlimited dining.
- Ristorante Buffet Perla del Lago. The ship’s casual buffet restaurant, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. At late night, they serve Chines-style porridge, which is also complimentary. Location: Deck 9, Mid & Aft
- Ristorante Degli Argentieri. The ship’s main dining room, seating over 1300 guests. This one offers fine dining. Complimentary breakfast and lunch are served with open seating. In our experience, breakfast and lunch were usually served buffet-style, while dinner followed a traditional fixed-seating style, featuring a full-service menu. You can choose appetizers, main courses, and desserts from a menu. Again, dining here is unlimited, so if you can’t decide what to eat, you can order two or more dishes. It’s entirely up to you. Just make sure you can finish everything to avoid food waste. Location: Deck 2 & 3, Aft
Other Dining Options
You’ll also find specialty restaurants, which offer paid dining experiences. We didn’t get to try any of them on our last cruise, but here’s the list:
- Ristorante Ocean. Serves Thai cuisine. Location: Deck 2, Aft
- Ristorante Medusa (Club Medusa). An intimate, reservation-only restaurant for a more refined dining experience, perfect for guests looking for a quieter and more exclusive atmosphere. Location: Deck 10, Mid
- Hot Pot & Noodle. As the name implies, it offers hot pot and noodle options. Location: Deck 9, Mid
- Pizza & Burger. Need we say more? Location: Deck 9, Aft
- Wellness Restaurant. A health-focused restaurant serving healthy and low-calorie dishes. Complimentary for guests staying in Wellness cabins, while other passengers can dine here for an extra fee with reservations. Location: Deck 2, Aft
There’s also a 24-Hour Room Service. Guests can order food and drinks to their cabin at any time of the day or night. We were not able to ask about the room service rate, so we’re not sure how much it costs.
Entertainment & Amenities
- Teatro Osiris. A spectacular 950-seat Egyptian-themed theatre hosting musicals, concerts, dance performances, and nightly production shows. Location: Deck 2-4, Forward
- Atrio Maschera d’Argento. The stunning 10-deck-high atrium, featuring panoramic glass elevators and live music performances. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Negozi di Via Condotti. Duty-free shopping area selling bags, watches, jewellery, perfumes, fashion, gifts, liquor, and souvenirs. Location: Deck 3, Mid
- Biblioteca. A quiet library. Hard to find! We worked here on sea days. We were usually the only people using it, so we had the entire area all to ourselves. Location: Deck 3, Forward
- Mondo Virtuale. Supposed to be an arcade filled with video games and entertainment machines, but on our last cruise, it was converted into the Teenagers Club. Location: Deck 4, Forward
- Cappella. An onboard chapel used for weddings and religious services. Location: Deck 4, Forward
- Galleria Foto & Art Gallery. Browse professional cruise photos and artworks. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Tour Counter. For booking port-of-call tours (shore excursions). Location: Deck 2, Mid
Lounges & Bars
- Salone Giardino Isolabella. A stylish lounge featuring live music and entertainment in a relaxed setting. Location: Deck 1, Forward
- Discoteca Selva. The ship’s lively nightclub and disco, complete with DJs and dancing until late. Location: Deck 1 & 2, Aft
- Piazza Casanova. A central lounge and dance venue served by the Casanova Bar. Location: Deck 2, Forward
- Bar Canal Grande. Beside Piazza Casanova. Serves the game area. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Lounge Talia. A lounge with a stage, dance floor, and bar for live performances and social gatherings. Location: Deck 2, Aft
- Salone Orientale/Roero VIP Lounge. A sophisticated piano lounge with a dance floor and a grand piano. Location: Deck 3, Forward
- Bar Atrio Maschera d’Argento. The main bar, strategically located at the atrium. Location: Deck 2, Mid
- Bar Dionisio. A cozy bar lounge for drinks and conversation. Location: Deck 3, Aft
- Terrazza d’Inverno. An elegant indoor garden terrace, ideal for relaxing. Location: Deck 3, Forward
Wellness & Fitness
- Terme Ischia Spa. A large, two-level spa complex featuring treatment rooms, beauty salon, aromatherapy steam rooms, saunas and Turkish bath, Hydrotherapy pool, and Relaxation areas. Location: Deck 9, Forward
- Palestra Olympia. Fully equipped gym and fitness centre. Location: Deck 9, Forward
- Sala Olympia. Dedicated room for aerobics and fitness classes. Location: Deck 10, Forward
- UVA Solarium. Sunbathing area with tanning facilities. Location: Deck 9, Forward
Pools & Outdoor Areas
- Solarium. The ship’s largest open-air deck, perfect for sunbathing and enjoying sea views. Location: Deck 10
- Piscina Armonia. Main swimming pool with a whirlpool and pool bar. Location: Deck 9, Forward
- Piscina Cadmo. Glass-roofed pool area featuring a whirlpool and casual atmosphere. Location: Deck 9, Mid
- Lido Apollo. Outdoor pool with whirlpool and its own bar. Location: Deck 9, Aft
- Lido Squok. A smaller swimming pool designed specifically for children. Location: Deck 11, Aft
- Water Slide. Location: Deck 10-11, Aft
- Five Jacuzzis. Spread throughout the ship for relaxation.
Sports Facilities
- Campo da Gioco. Multi-purpose sports court for tennis and basketball. Location: Deck 11, Forward
- Pista da Jogging. Outdoor walking and jogging track. Location: Deck 11, Forward
- Deck Games Area. Features table tennis and shuffleboard for casual fun. Deck 9, Mid
Family & Kids Facilities
- Squok Club. Children’s club with dedicated spaces for ages 3-11, offering supervised activities and complimentary babysitting. Location: Deck 5, Forward
- Teen Zone. Hangout area for teenagers aged 12-17, featuring themed parties, games, and sports competitions. Location: Deck 4, Forward
Overall, Adora Mediterranea leans heavily into an Italian-style cruising experience.
How to Explore Ports of Call
How about when you arrive in Naha or Miyakojima? How can you go on a tour there? Can you get off the ship? Yes, you definitely can! You have several options on how to do it.
If you want to save money, you can explore on your own (DIY or Free and Easy). That’s exactly what we did during our sailing. We simply got off the ship. In Naha, we walked around and took the public bus to save on transportation costs.
The good thing about taking the Free-and-Easy route is that you are in control of your time. Since it was not our first time in Okinawa, we were already confident exploring on our own. Just make sure you are back at the ship before the scheduled departure time. To be safe, aim to be back on board at least 1-2 hours before departure.
But if you prefer a proper tour, the ship also offers guided tours (Shore Excursions). Again, we don’t have the details yet on which tours will be available in Naha or Miyakojima and how much they will cost. But during our Adora sailing to Jeju and Incheon, the cheapest was HKD 299, or around PHP 2350. We’re not sure yet if the prices for Naha or Miyakojima will be similar.
One advantage of booking a shore excursion is that you don’t need to figure out transportation on your own because shuttle bus is already provided, and you have a tour guide. You also get to explore with other passengers. Most importantly, you don’t have to worry about being left behind by the ship. And yes, people really do get left behind.
When you disembark, you’ll usually go through Immigration first. Just remember to bring your room key card and a photocopy of your passport.
Is it Worth It?
I can say YES. It’s worth it if you fall under any of these categories:
- If it’s your first time going on a cruise. Since you don’t have a point of comparison, it’s very likely that you’ll really enjoy it. After al, it’s your first cruise! Besides, we don’t get many opportunities to sail straight from Manila.
- If you want to visit Okinawa without flying.
- If you want to visit Japan without applying for a visa. Whether you’re afraid of getting denied or you’ve been denied before and are hesitant to apply again, it’s a good way to set foot in Japan. It’s also shows their Immigration that you visited and exited as required, so that next time you apply, you have a better chance to get approved.
From Manila, there’s no direct flight to Okinawa. You need to take a connecting flight from major cities in Japan, like Tokyo and Osaka, or from Hong Kong or Taiwan.
But if you have tried other cruise ships before, then you have to manage your expectations. Adora Mediterranea is a relatively small ship and has fewer amenities, especially when it comes to dining options. It’s larger compared to Star Cruises’ Navigator and Voyager, but way smaller than any Royal Caribbean ship operating in Asia. If you’ve already sailed on Spectrum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, or Disney Adventure, you’ll definitely feel the difference in both size and features.
Most onboard amenities are bars and lounges. And since internet on board can be expensive, if you will not avail of it, make sure you’re traveling with people you genuinely enjoy spending time with. You’ll be forced to talk to them most of the time, so they should be companions you really like and won’t get bored talking to.
For me, this is a good entry-level cruise ship, especially if you’re not yet ready to apply for a Japanese visa.
Again, if you’re interested, whether you’re booking or just inquiring, contact International Journeys.
If you have questions, just comment below, and we’ll try to answer them.
Join The Poor Traveler Support Group
✅ If you have any questions or need travel tips, feel free to post them to the TPT Support Group. The members are very helpful. This Facebook support group has been around for a long time, and many members have found travel buddies through it. You can join too! Just visit The Poor Traveler Support Group. Note that this is different from The Poor Traveler Facebook page.
Updates Log
2026 7 9 – First uploaded
Edited and additional writing by: Asta Alvarez
Photos by: Yosh Dimen and Asta Alvarez
