May–June: Three charter sailings set to run back-to-back
Costa Serena relaunch perks
Service and safety will be top priority
[Asia Times=Reporter Mina Kim] Lotte Tour Development is kicking off a series of cruises beginning with the Hokkaido route, then moving through China, Korea and Japan, and a three-country Asian circuit. Altogether, the three sailings will welcome roughly 7,500 travelers.
On the 12th, Lotte Tour Development said the Hokkaido charter cruise left Sokcho Port carrying about 2,500 passengers.
The Hokkaido cruise departs Sokcho, calls at Otaru and Hakodate in Japan, then returns to Busan on a five-night, six-day itinerary. It's the first of Lotte Tour Development's three May–June charters.
Next up, on the 17th the company will launch a China–Korea–Japan cruise from Busan. That five-night, six-day voyage stops in Shanghai and Sasebo. Then on June 13 a three-country Asian cruise departs from Seosan, visiting Okinawa and Taiwan before returning to Busan on a six-night, seven-day schedule.
All sailings will be on the freshly renovated Costa Serena. To mark the relaunch, Lotte Tour Development is offering unlimited complimentary beer, soft drinks and bottled water—items that used to be paid extras.
Lotte Tour Development is also selling a China–Korea–Japan cruise that departs once on September 7. This five-night, six-day voyage leaves from Busan, calls in Shanghai and Fukuoka, and returns to Busan. Early bookings receive a KRW 300,000 per-person discount (about $225), and the company offers extra perks for repeat customers.
Baek Hyun, CEO of Lotte Tour Development, said, \"All three charter sailings are set to depart smoothly with around 7,500 passengers. Drawing on 14 years of charter cruise experience, we'll do everything to ensure travelers enjoy a comfortable trip, with rigorous service and safety management in place.\"
Meanwhile, Lotte Tour Development has also introduced a premium 16-day South America package that departs once on December 17. The itinerary visits Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia and Peru, and long-haul segments are flown in Emirates business class. Prices start at KRW 42,900,000 (including taxes), about $32,175 per person.
