The Ship

ms Westerdam

Schedule

About the Cruise

Itinerary

Sunday, March 28 - Tokyo, Japan - Embark

Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side.

Monday, March 29 - At Sea

Tuesday, March 30 - Osaka, Japan

Think of Osaka, Japan (accent on the O), as a combination of Los Angeles and Chicago. It very definitely has L.A.’s second-city complex, but its attitude is pure Chicago. The only business that matters is business, and so what if the Hanshin Tigers, the local baseball team, are frequently the worst professional athletes in the world? They’re the home team. People in Osaka laugh louder, play harder and drink more than Tokyo’s most decadent dreams. Osaka even has its own dialect, one the rest of the country calls “dirty Japanese,” one entirely different than even Kobe’s—and Kobe is an Osaka suburb.

Nothing is old in Osaka. The place was flattened during the war (and then again in 1962 and 1989, by Godzilla). During the reconstruction, they forgot to include much in the way of parks or green space, and the sheer amount of concrete and steel sights can get overwhelming.

But Osaka has its attractions and interesting things to do. Sumo wrestlers wait for trains, reeking of chanko-nabe (traditional sumo food; pure energy and calories), just daring the official railway pushers to push them. Yakuza (Japanese gangsters) get train cars to themselves, but if you get on with them, it’s like you’re invisible. Busy markets, the visual noise of neon and nonstop action on shopping streets offer insight into the energy and ambition of Osaka.

And if all that isn’t enough, Osaka is less than an hour from some of the most beautiful temples, shrines and ancient Japanese tourist attractions in the world—a thousand years of Japanese history—waiting in the old capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Wednesday, March 31 - Kochi, Japan

High atop a hill in Kochi sits 17th-century Kochi Castle, once the seat of the Yamauchi lords. Explore this historic site and enjoy panoramic views of the city, then dine on sushi at Hirome Market.  

Thursday, April 1 - Hiroshima, Japan

Located in the southwest of Japan, Hiroshima, the main city of the Chugoku region, is set within a striking natural landscape of mountains, sea and rivers. Home to more than one million inhabitants, it’s famous as the site of the explosion of the world’s first atomic bomb, dropped by the U.S. in August 1945. This cataclysm is sensitively documented at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and associated Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The city offers visitors a great deal more than the tragedy of the recent past. In addition to the memorials to the events of World War II, there are an array of shrines and temples, as well as the city’s reconstructed castle, which was originally founded in the 16th century.Nature lovers will be charmed by the historic Shukkei-en Garden, commissioned in 1620, and Miyajima island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan. The city is home to a number of art institutions, including the Hiroshima Museum of Art, which houses a collection of Impressionist and Japanese oil paintings, the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art and the quirky Mazda Museum. There is also an array of excellent restaurants and bars—the city is known for its okonomiyaki, a type of savory pancake—as well as a popular oyster festival each year. 

Friday, April 2 - Kanmon Strait, Japan - Scenic Cruising

The Kanmon Strait is a narrow channel of water that separates two of Japan's main islands, Honshu and Kyushu. The channel has long been important to maritime transportation and cargo ships, as it connects the Sea of Japan and the Inland Sea. Passenger and car ferries link the port cities of Shimonoseki and Kitakyushu, as do trains and bridges. The battle between the U.S. and Japanese navies that presaged the Shimonoseki Campaign in 1863 took place here, and eventually led to Japan's opening up to Western powers. The cannons used during the campaign can today be seen near Shimonoseki’s port, where you can also dine at gourmet restaurants serving local delicacies such as fugu (blowfish), shop at venues like the Sea Mall, and connect with ferry service to Busan, in South Korea, and the island of Kyushu.The port at Kitakyushu (Moji Port) is equally historic and attractive, serving as a gateway to Honshu and Kyushu for centuries as well as an important international trade hub since the late 19th century. Although more industrial than Shimonoseki, it has many Western-style buildings, including the neo-Renaissance Mojiko Station, constructed in 1914, as well as other tourist attractions such as a developed promenade and the Kawachi Fuji Gardens. A highlight of the Kanmon Strait is an annual fireworks display—the largest in Japan—with more than 13,000 rockets fired from both sides of the strait. The spectacle draws more than a million visitors every August.

Saturday, April 3 - Busan (Pusan), South Korea

South Korea’s second-largest city (after the capital, Seoul), Busan is located in the southeastern corner of the country along the Sea of Japan. It combines a vibrant, big-city atmosphere with a famously laid-back attitude and subtropical landscapes. Often described as the "San Francisco of Korea," thanks mainly to its hilly terrain and close-knit neighborhoods, it offers visitors a little of everything: fashionable boutiques, dynamic culture, and buzzy nightlife, as well as sandy beaches, hot spring,s and nearby mountains crossed with hiking trails and dotted with temples. Cultural highlights include the Gamcheon Cultural Village; the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built into the side of a cliff; and Art Street in Sinchang-dong, which hosts art competitions, exhibitions, and cultural events such as the annual Busan International Film Festival. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the famed cliffs of Taejongdae Park, while the white sand beaches at Gwangalli and Haeundae are ideal places to relax by the seashore. Foodies will love Busan, too, not just for its excellent restaurants but also for the many atmospheric markets: the low-key Millak Hoe Town Market, tourist spots like Jagalchi Fish Market, and the market at Haeundae with its ramshackle stalls selling gukpab (a traditional rice soup).

Sunday, April 4 - Sakaiminato, Japan

Sakaiminato is home to Shigeru Mizuki, creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro (a character who’s everywhere in contemporary Japan), and gateway to the ancient region of Honshu, site of the famous “Black Castle.”  

Monday, April 5 - Tsuruga, Japan

This sleepy little port city is home to the intimate Kehi Shrine, with its red-lacquered Torii gate and koi pond. Learn about the fascinating history of the town at the Tsuruga Museum. Dine on grilled seafood like a local at Nihonkai Sakana Machi.

Tuesday, April 6 - Toyama, Japan

Japan’s lush natural splendors are on full display as you cruise Toyama. Freshwater springs feed the spectacular bay, a bay so scenic, it belongs to the UNESCO-endorsed Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club. Toyama’s enchanting, ridge-lined scoop of glistening sea is just the beginning. Visitors from around the globe come to this region to see the ancient villages, thatched-roof farmhouses, and incredible snow corridor. Even if you don’t make it out to the countryside on a Toyama cruise, there’s plenty to see and do in this coastal city. Visit the Toyama Castle, an impressive reconstruction of the 1543 original. Take the railway up to Mount Tateyama, the highest mountain in the range, or cruise through a cherry blossom tunnel on the Matsukawa River. Whatever activity you do, take time to savor the region’s renowned seafood, elegantly presented in many forms.

Wednesday, April 7 - Sakata, Japan

Sakata is a riverside jewel in the Yamagata Prefecture. Located in the shadow of Mount Ch?kai, it is known for its sublime natural scenery and historical sites. Yamagata is nicknamed “the Fruit Kingdom” because the growing conditions there produce tantalizing fruit. Stop to sample ruby red cherries and mouthwatering French pears. A fantastic seafood market is also a quick stroll from the port if you’re still hungry. Carry yen to make purchases.

Take the shuttle (roughly 1,000 yen) or a taxi into town. Sakata was a prosperous port during the Edo era due to its location on the Mogami River. Encounter several styles of traditional Japanese architecture from the 1700s at the Homma Historical Residence. Another place to explore old Japan is the Sankyo Soko Storehouse, a rice warehouse with 12 attractive storehouses dating back to 1893. Watch daily dance performances at S?mar?, a Maiko tea house. Visit Japan’s first museum of photography – the Ken Domon Museum. It houses the works of Ken Domon, a photographer who redefined realism. A scenic drive along the coast or into the mountains is a lovely way to get to know Sakata.

Thursday, April 8 - Aomori, Japan

Most Japanese used to think of Aomori merely as the place you caught the ferry to when you were going to Hokkaido. By the time you’d gotten here, they figured, you were pretty much at the edge of the civilized world. The small Tsugaru Strait that separates Honshu from Hokkaido isn’t big—only about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) at its narrowest point—but it’s ecologically important: Hokkaido has animals related to northern Asia, whereas Honshu’s are more closely related to southern Asia’s. The strait is also famous for sudden, very rough weather and for no shortage of shipwrecks. The city was flattened in World War II, so there isn’t much history left to see. Still, it’s a lovely area, not much congestion or development, and because the town is still the major gateway to Hokkaido, the city has money to spend on architecture and parks. Its setting on the edge of Mutsu Bay means you will often be surprised by lovely water views through the buildings. The old way of thinking of Aomori is over. Aomori may not be quite what most people think of when they plan a Japan trip, but it is what Japan thinks of when they consider where they got the new century right.

Friday, April 9 - Hakodate, Japan

If Japan ever had a wild west, it was Hokkaido. Oh, all the classic movie stuff of samurai bashing each other with swords never made it this far north, but the image of the West—open spaces, places to disappear, actual land horizons (which no other island in Japan has)—lingers.

Hokkaido's remoteness is so legendary that it figures into one of Japan’s most important historical tales: After losing a battle in 1189, good guy Minamoto Yoshitsune managed to escape capture and death by heading to Hokkaido (no one felt like chasing him that far). In one version of the story, he returned from Hokkaido to the mainland and, if you give alternate readings of the characters in his name, became Gin Ke Ka—Genghis Khan.

Hokkaido is the only spot among Japan’s primary islands where a non-Japanese culture manages to survive relatively intact, at least as an identity if not a lifestyle. The Ainu were here first, and are fairly easy to recognize; they have paler skin and more hair than ethnic Japanese. Cornerstones of Ainu culture remain, too: ceremonies that include sacrificing a bear (not often—bears are rare, although, this being the wild west, there are still some out there), the beautiful attush robe, a dislike of uncooked fish. And they’re not going anywhere. In 1997, the Japanese government finally recognized the Ainu's right to their own culture. Get a taste of that unique culture in Hakodate, the capital city of this northern island.

Saturday, April 10 - At Sea

Sunday, April 11 - Tokyo, Japan - Disembark

Tokyo is the largest city on earth and packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. While the bright neon lights and the bustle of contemporary Tokyo may be what comes to mind when you think of the city, there is another side.

The Ship

ms Westerdam

A fascinating destination in her own right, Westerdam has won multiple Best Cruise Ship awards and features superb bar, entertainment and dining venues. During the day, rejuvenate with a spa treatment at the heavenly Greenhouse Spa & Salon®. Head to the upper decks for a friendly game of Pickleball at Sea with top-deck views. Catch a performance at the World Stage or spend your evening on the dance floor at Rolling Stone Lounge.

Starting at $2,499.00*

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Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

Inside Stateroom (1-4 people)
Per Person - Double Occupancy

*Excluding additional taxes and fees

Starting at $2,709.00*

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These expansive staterooms include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities, and an ocean view.

Ocean View Stateroom (1-4 people - window only)
Per Person - Double Occupancy

*Excluding additional taxes and fees

Starting at $3,302.00*

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Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and bath tub with premium massage showerheads.

Verandah Stateroom (1-4 people)
Per Person - Double Occupancy

*Excluding additional taxes and fees

Signature Features

Cruise Policies

Passport valid for six months after return required. Non-US Citizens check with your consulate for documentation requirements.

Pricing and availability subject to change until deposit has been made.

DEPOSIT REQUIRED: Cabins MUST be reserved with a deposit per cabin to qualify for these low fares. Cabin selection is limited and the above listed categories may not be available. A single supplement is charged if there is only one person in a cabin. Due to the number of details needed to complete cruise cabin booking accurately, a cabin will not be booked for you until you have spoken with one of our cruise agents via phone or via direct email correspondence. Please contact Angela (angela@nwas.com) or call our office at 1-800-222-6927 or 1-509-547-7065 to complete your cruise reservation. Reservations will be secured and cabins assigned upon receipt of passenger deposit per cabin. Final payment as instructed by our travel agent.

Any unsold cabins with our group price will be released on final payment date (however, we may still be able to book with the cruise line with their prevailing rates). Pricing and availability subject to change until deposit has been made.

CANCELLATIONS: Penalties apply for cancellation of the cruise for any reason. We strongly recommend purchase of the cancellation insurance. Ask us for details. Please be aware that premiums paid for insurance are non-refundable.

Accreditation

Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for physicians, certified registered nurse anesthetists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and other medical care providers who must maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of the anesthesia specialty or are impacted by it.

Program Purpose

This continuing education program is designed for anesthesia providers seeking to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge in the field. The program aims to provide attendees with the latest updates, innovations, and practical techniques to advance their anesthesia practice. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and discussion with faculty/peers, participants will gain valuable insights and skills to help in the provision of safe, effective anesthesia care. 

Objectives

• Improve knowledge, competence, and utilization of the most recent evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
• Bolster competence in the management of patients with complex co-morbidities and less common medical conditions, thereby improving patient outcomes and safety.
  
• Improve skills/strategies in the use of newer equipment/technologies and improve performance within multidisciplinary protocols in order to optimize patient outcomes.
• Increase knowledge of newer pharmacologic agents, thereby improving competence in medication management via anticipation of potential polypharmacy interactions.
• Improve knowledge and competence in the timely recognition and management of complications during the perioperative period. By enhancing competence, patient outcomes improve by reducing complications.
• Enhance recognition and coping strategies to mitigate the effects of workplace stressors and burnout and achieve well-being in the clinical setting.
• Improve knowledge and competence in the provision of anesthesia care outside of the operating room.

Medical Director

Mark T. Murphy, MD, MSN Education, Cozumel, Mexico, and Medical Director, Northwest Anesthesia Seminars / Northwest Seminars, Pasco, Washington

Tuition

• MD/DO
  $ 1000 Early Registration Fee
  $ 1050 Regular Registration Fee
  $ 1075 Late Registration Fee
  $ 275 Daily Rate
• CRNA/PA
  $ 950 Early Registration Fee
  $ 1000 Regular Registration Fee
  $ 1025 Late Registration Fee
  $ 265 Daily Rate
• Resident/RN/Others
  $ 850 Early Registration Fee
  $ 900 Regular Registration Fee
  $ 925 Late Registration Fee
  $ 240 Daily Rate

Course Cancellation Fee

Register Early

Schedule and Faculty Changes

Factors beyond our control sometimes necessitate changes in the schedule and faculty. If time permits, we will inform all registrants of any changes prior to the program. Changes on site due to local conditions will be announced in class.

Course Cancellation By Provider

We reserve the right to cancel a course for any reason. In such case, a minimum of 30 days notice will be given to those registered and 100% of tuition paid will be refunded. NWAS and NWWT will not be responsible for any non-refundable airfare, hotel, or other liabilities you may incur. We highly recommend purchase of travel insurance. Travel at your own risk.

Frequent Attendee Points (FAP)

We value your patronage and have a simple program to reward you. Our Frequent Attendee Points (FAP) program gives you an added bonus for money spent on our seminars, as well as cruise cabins booked through our in-house travel agency, Northwest Worldwide Travel.

You are automatically enrolled in this program with your paid registration. Click here for more information.

*Effective January 1, 2023, net hotel stays for 2023 and beyond will no longer be included in FAP calculations.