After two incredible days exploring Shanghai, it almost felt surreal that the main reason we were here hadn’t even begun yet. We’d wandered the Bund, shopped in hidden markets, and eaten our weight in incredible food, but this was the day it all came together. Here is our experience boarding Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai to begin our voyage to Japan.
Shanghai utterly blew me away. The incredible shopping, dining and hospitality, mixed with the history and Chinese culture, made a fantastic first impression. Before this trip, I was expecting Japan to be the highlight, but a part of me has fallen in love with Shanghai and is already planning to return to this incredible city as soon as I can.
One Last Morning in Shanghai before Boarding Spectrum of the Seas
Determined not to waste a minute, I woke early for one last wander before heading to the port. The St. Regis Shanghai Jing’an had been the perfect base for exploring. While many influencers recommend staying in Pudong for its futuristic skyline, I actually recommend the energy of Jing’an, leafy streets, tiny cafés tucked between boutiques, and a sense of real life humming beneath the surface. The St Regis Jing’an is also a short walk (about 10-15 mins) from Nanjing Road, with its incredible shopping.
I set off towards West Nanjing Road, coffee on my mind and camera in hand. Walking in Shanghai is easy; there’s also a cheap Metro system if you want to explore further, and as mentioned in our last post, getting a DiDi (think Uber) is a great, inexpensive option for getting around this fantastic city. Just keep an ear out for electric scooters (they’re fast and whisper-quiet) and follow the crossings. The city feels remarkably safe; even at busy intersections, there’s an order to the chaos, with crossings working much the same as they do here in the UK.
The World’s Largest Starbucks – Starbucks Reserve Shanghai
Just a few blocks from the hotel sits one of Shanghai’s most famous attractions for coffee lovers, the Starbucks Reserve Roastery, the largest Starbucks in the world.
Stepping inside feels like entering a coffee cathedral. Copper pipes twist across the ceiling, beans tumble through roasters, and the air smells rich and toasted. Upstairs, Bar Mixato serves coffee-based cocktails that blur the line between bar and café. I treated myself to one as a quiet farewell to the city, strong, smooth, and the perfect pick-me-up for embarkation day.
Downstairs, the store sells beautiful Shanghai-exclusive merchandise, including mugs and tumblers that can be laser-engraved on site. They’re not cheap, but as keepsakes go, it’s hard to resist.
I came here to try Nitro Coffee for the first time, but sadly it wasnt available, but nonetheless, it was incredible to explore this fantastic store.
Starbucks Reserve Shanghai Menu
Click each image to enlage the menu.
Across the Street – The Louis Vuitton “Ship”
Just opposite stands another Shanghai icon, “The Louis,” the flagship Louis Vuitton store shaped like a gleaming metallic ship. Its curved hull and porthole-like windows look almost futuristic, a fitting neighbour to the coffee temple across the road.
There was a long queue to enter the exhibition inside, so I settled for admiring it from the street. It felt oddly symbolic, a ship-shaped building on embarkation day. There is an exhibit about Luis Vitton inside, as well as a cafe supposedly, so it’s worth a visit if you have the time.
Getting Lost in Shnaghai (and Loving It)
On the way back to my hotel, I took a detour down a side street that caught my eye and ended up discovering a small Evangelion pop-up inside a Japanese fashion store.
For an anime fan like me, it was a complete delight. I grew up watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, so stumbling upon an event for a show that defined so much of my youth felt surreal. The pop-up featured themed drinks, limited-edition merchandise, and artwork from the series. I wasn’t in the market for souvenirs, but I ordered a regular coffee, admired the exhibits, and soaked up the nostalgia.
A little further down, the side street opened into a mix of high-street stores and street food stalls, a perfect microcosm of Shanghai’s contrasts, sleek retail fronts next to sizzling woks and neon signs. That’s when I spotted another branch of a store that’s become my newest obsession here in China: Miniso.
We have Miniso stores in the UK now, but the prices here in Shanghai are easily half what we pay back home. It’s a treasure trove of homeware, stationery, and impossibly cute plush toys, plus exclusive collaborations with brands like Disney and Marvel. Naturally, I couldn’t resist grabbing another Disney-themed blind box bag charm.
It was my fourth one of the trip in just over two days, but at £6 compared to the £16–20 they sell for in the UK, it practically paid for itself (that’s what I told myself, anyway).
This city constantly surprises you. Turn one corner, and you’re in a designer boutique; turn another, and you’re surrounded by street food vendors and neon art. Shanghai has that wonderful ability to make every walk feel like an adventure — a mix of chaos, creativity, and charm that keeps you wanting more.
Before long, it was time to head back to the hotel, check out, and make our way to the port.
The Journey to Baoshan Cruise Port
Leaving Jing’an, the city stretched endlessly around us. It’s easy to forget how vast Shanghai is until you drive through it; glass towers give way to tree-lined avenues, then to wide industrial roads leading towards the harbour.
One thing that constantly impressed me is how clean everywhere was, and how the streets and highways are lined with flowers and art installations, it made the sprawling city feel less intimidating, and brought pops of colour. The absence of graffiti in a major city stands out massively also.
The Baoshan (Wusongkou) Cruise Port is around 45 minutes from central Shanghai by car.. As our coach pulled up, getting our first sight of Spectrum of the Seas sent a rush of excitement through the group. You forget how large these ships are until you are up close and personal.
Check-in was smooth and well-organised. Royal Caribbean’s Shanghai sailings operate slightly differently: immigration officers collect passports for processing, allowing for seamless entry and exit later in the voyage. It sounds unusual, but it makes perfect sense once you understand how tightly managed international cruise arrivals are here.
Priority Boarding with The Key
We’d had access to The Key, Royal Caribbean’s priority package, and it proved invaluable, especially here in a forieng port where immigration processes are a bit different. We had access to a separate check-in queue, and we were VIP’d through the cruise terminal, luggage handled swiftly and delivered to our cabin, plus the option to drop our hand luggage as soon as we boarded the ship to be delivered to our stateroom later, and best of all, an exclusive sit-down lunch in the Main Dining Room instead of joining the bustling Windjammer buffet, coming in cluth on the most chaotic day of your cruise.
After the heat of the morning, walking into the calm of the main dining room felt heavenly. Friendly servers greeted us and showed us to our dining table, handing us the exclusive menu for The Key welcome lunch. It was the perfect welcome from land to sea. I ordered the shrimp cocktail followed by steak.
For me, The Key has always been about time and calm, and here in Shanghai, it felt worth every penny.
First Impressions Onboard – Spectrum of the Seas Cabin Tour
Stepping onto Spectrum of the Seas felt both familiar and thrilling. If you’ve ever sailed on a Quantum-class ship, you’ll recognise the design, sleek, modern, and full of light, but with small touches that give it a local personality.
All signage is bilingual: English first, with Chinese nearby, and crew members glide effortlessly between the two. It instantly feels welcoming. I kept referring to it as the Royal Caribbean hug you know and love, but with a Chinese overlay.
After our lunch, cabins were available, so I made my way to our Balcony Cabin, which was ready shortly after lunch. Opening the door revealed that signature Royal Caribbean look: clean lines, clever storage, and a floor-to-ceiling view over the port. I stepped out onto the balcony, which was wonderful to take a look back at Shanghai, even though there was haze.
Some ports are iconic, and Shanghai is undoubtedly one of them.
Sail Away from Shanghai
After freshening up, we made our way up to the pool deck for sail away. The humidity hung heavy in the air. I’ve been told the heat and humidity are unusual for this time of year, but the excitement was palpable nonetheless. Guests gathered along the rails and around the pool as the entertainment staff built up the atmosphere, music drifting between Mandarin and Korean Pop, with a nice mix of Western hits.
As the ship slowly pulled away from the pier, Shanghai’s skyline glowed faintly through the mist. It finally dawned on me, we are sailing to Japan!!!!!!.
For months I’d imagined what this moment might feel like. Now, standing on the deck of Spectrum of the Seas, drink in hand, surrounded by laughter and cheers of fellow sailors and our group, it felt bigger than I’d dreamed and a true “pinch me” moment.
Dinner at Wonderland
That evening we dined at Wonderland, Royal Caribbean’s most whimsical speciality restaurant. You “paint” your menu with water to reveal the dishes, and each course arrives like a small piece of theatre.
Despite its reputation for being eccentric, the food is genuinely delicious, inventive, and approachable. We started with crispy shrimp in a light chilli sauce, followed by the famous “garden” course with edible soil that tastes nutty and rich. Each plate looked like art, and every bite felt playful.
The venue is beautiful, with obvious inspiration from Alice in Wonderland. Details everywhere offer nods to the classic Lewis Carroll story. It’s worth heading into the restaurant to have a look around.
The menu has been tamed to help bridge the gap between eastern and western palates, but it makes Wonderland a better meal. You still get the fun sense of exploration, with food that is both visually stunning and tasty.
The cocktails were equally creative, smoky, colourful, and perfectly matched to the food. Sitting there with the lights dimmed and soft music playing, it felt like a celebration of creativity.
Spectrum of the Seas Wonderland Menu
Silk Road – A Show Like No Other
After dinner, we wandered to Two70, one of the ship’s most extraordinary venues. By day, it’s a panoramic lounge with wrap-around windows offering views of the ship’s aft and wake; by night, it transforms into a high-tech theatre and entertainment venue.
That evening’s show, Silk Road, told the story of the ancient trade routes that connected Asia and the West. The performance blended acrobatics, dance, violin, and digital projection mapping in a way that only Royal Caribbean could pull off. The huge robotic screens moved like living sculptures, synchronised perfectly with the music.
Even without heavy dialogue, it was mesmerising, a cultural fusion that mirrored the journey we were on, sailing from China towards Japan. We are very vocal about the fact that Royal Caribbean has some of the best entertainment at sea, and Silk Road is a must-see. We were fortunate to have reserved seating, which you can purchase in the pre-cruise planner if you want to ensure you get a seat for the show and a good view. Something we highly recommend: seating is limited for this headline show.
Reflections on Boarding Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai
Embarkation day can often feel chaotic, a mix of queues, paperwork, excitement, and mild confusion all rolled into one. But Royal Caribbean really do have it nailed. From the warmth of the crew to the precision of the port operations, everything about the day felt calm, joyful, and beautifully organised.
What struck me most was how seamlessly Royal Caribbean has adapted its operation here. Everything that makes the brand feel familiar, the service, the food, the entertainment, blends effortlessly with the local culture. It’s recognisably Royal Caribbean, yet distinctly Chinese, and I genuinely think my cruise was better because of it.
When I sail, I want to experience the culture of the region I’m visiting, and Spectrum of the Seas achieves that balance perfectly: a warm welcome with plenty of authentic Chinese touches woven throughout, but never feeling too much, I always felt at home.
I went to bed that night certain of two things:
I would absolutely sail from Shanghai again, and I’d barely scratched the surface of this incredible city.
And that I’d wake up with one hell of a hangover… but that’s a story for the next blog. 🍹
Explore More
👉 Complete Guide to Spectrum of the Seas from Shanghai
👉 How to Cruise from Shanghai Visa-Free – Understanding China’s 240-Hour Transit Policy
👉 Pre-Cruise in Shanghai Before Royal Caribbean Spectrum of the Seas
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