[Report] From Pohang to the Charms of Japan's Small Cities... The 'Miracle' of the Panstar Miracle Cruise

A 'Five-Star Hotel' on the Sea...
Duty-Free Shop, Sauna, and Even Nail Art
The Charm of Small Cities...
"Ordinary Tourists Can't Easily Visit"
"Can't Sit Still"...
Nonstop Cruise-Style Entertainment

"It's my first time coming this far into Yeongilman, is there something special happening today?"

At around 4 p.m. on June 5, Yeongilman New Port in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province. Even the local taxi driver found the route unfamiliar, as the area was usually deserted. Yet, on this day, hundreds of people gathered here. A long line formed outside the terminal building as people waited to board the luxury cruise ship "Panstar Miracle," which uses Pohang as its home port. Despite the sweltering heat, with temperatures approaching 30 degrees Celsius, sweat trickling down their faces, the passengers' smiles revealed their excitement for the upcoming journey.

The Panstar Miracle ship docked at Maizuru Port, Japan on the 6th. Photo by Youngwon Kim

The Panstar Miracle is a 22,000-ton class small cruise ship, the first of its kind built with domestic technology. It is 171 meters long and 25.4 meters wide, with cabins that can accommodate up to 355 people. The ship features a hybrid structure, with the lower section designed as a cargo hold. When not operating as a cruise, it can be used for cargo transport.

On this day, the Miracle set out on its first irregular cruise between Pohang and the western coast of Japan. The three-night, four-day itinerary departs from Yeongilman in Pohang and calls at Maizuru in Kyoto Prefecture and Sakaiminato in western Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 230 people boarded the ship.

Typically, cruises depart from major ports such as Busan or Jeju. However, thanks to a "Yeongilman Port Cruise Tourism Industry Revitalization MOU" between Panstar Group and Pohang City, this cruise was specially launched from Pohang. One passenger commented, "I live in Pohang and have only ever been to Ulleungdo, so it's my first time going to Japan on a cruise. Everyone around me is jealous. If it's good, I'll come again next time."

A 'Five-Star Hotel' on the Sea... Duty-Free Shop, Sauna, and Even Nail Art

Upon boarding the cruise and taking the escalator into the lobby, passengers were greeted by the refreshing sound of a waterfall and a live piano performance. The water flowing down the main hall pillars added to the cool ambiance. To commemorate the maiden voyage, orange cocktails were served as welcome drinks, marking the start of the journey.

Boarding did not take long. While it usually takes three to four hours just to board and find your room on a large cruise ship with thousands of passengers, all preparations for departure on the Miracle were completed within an hour. A "carry service" was provided, with crew members gathering all suitcases before departure and delivering them directly to each cabin.

The ship's amenities and cabins are located on decks 5 through 7. As a state-of-the-art cruise ship, the interior is stylishly designed. The public spaces, restaurants, and cabins are furnished with warm-toned leather in beige and orange hues. All furniture is made of flame-retardant materials, and even the paintings on the walls are made from fire-resistant materials.

Royal Suite room of the Panstar Miracle. Photo by Youngwon Kim

There are a total of four cabin types. In particular, the high-end Royal Suite offers special services such as a private balcony and unlimited alcoholic beverages. Luxury niche fragrance brand "Acqua di Parma" amenities are provided. Cabins with balconies offer guests an unobstructed view of the open sea from their chairs.

The main dining area is the 7th-floor "Mascarade" restaurant, where guests can enjoy buffet meals while gazing out at the sea and port views. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all provided, with new menus for each meal. Hearty meat dishes such as steak, pork ribs, duck, and braised chicken are served at dinner, while breakfast includes simple Korean dishes like grilled fish and vegetable side dishes, as well as bread, fruit, and other brunch items. For Royal Suite guests, a steak course is served for dinner and a brunch course for breakfast.

The onboard facilities rival those of a five-star hotel. The 5th floor features a casino, therapy house, sauna, and fitness room. The casino offers complimentary access to games such as roulette, which are rarely available in Korea. There is also a space for nail art. The duty-free shop, though small, was well-stocked, offering rare Japanese whiskies and sake at reasonable prices, attracting a steady stream of passengers. The kids' club, overlooking the sea, features a soft floor, books, and game consoles, allowing children to play comfortably. The outdoor pool on the 8th deck provided the perfect backdrop for memorable photos against the seascape.

Fanstar Miracle 7th Floor Restaurant 'Mascarade'. Photo by Youngwon Kim

Outdoor swimming pool located on the 8th floor of the Fanstar Miracle. Photo by Youngwon Kim

The Charm of Small Cities... "Ordinary Tourists Can't Easily Visit"

On the 6th, passengers of the Panstar Miracle visited Amanohashidate View Land, one of Japan's three major scenic spots. Photo by Kim Youngwon

Another highlight of this Panstar Miracle journey was the chance to explore Japan's "small cities." As a small cruise ship, it can dock at places other than major cities. The scenery upon arrival at the first port of call, Maizuru, was distinctly different from what one would see in Tokyo or Osaka. The immigration terminal was a converted warehouse, simple and unpretentious, and single-story houses dotted the landscape against the backdrop of the wide sea and mountains, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The short walk off the cruise ship was lined with a "red carpet," making passengers feel like VIPs.

Visiting the "Toretore Center" seafood market, where you can sample small quantities of local seafood with beer, "Amanohashidate View Land," one of Japan's three major scenic spots, and the "Ine Funaya" Kyoto boathouses, seven hours passed quickly. Unlike big city trips, where public transportation or walking makes it easy to get around, it took at least 30 minutes by group bus to reach each destination. These areas are not accessible by air, making them impossible to visit on other package tours.

The tour at the second port of call, Sakaiminato, also included destinations that are difficult to visit without a private vehicle. The itinerary included "Yokai Street," created by renowned Japanese monster manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, the national treasure "Matsue Castle," and "Yushien Garden," famous for its peonies, rocks, and landscaping. Except for cruise passengers, most visitors were local Japanese families, allowing for a quiet and relaxing travel experience.

The local residents' performances welcoming the arrival of the Panstar Miracle were also memorable. In Maizuru, children performed a drum show alongside a dancing crab mascot wearing a sailor's hat to greet the cruise. When the ship departed the port, residents gathered, turned on their phone flashlights, and shouted "Annyeong" (hello) in Korean to bid farewell. In Sakaiminato, a local dance team dressed in white greeted passengers with a big wave and a cheerful "Annyeonghaseyo" before performing a celebratory dance. In these regions, a ship's visit is regarded as a "festival" and welcoming guests is a natural part of the culture.

On the 7th, a local dance team at Sakaiminato Port in Japan is preparing a performance to welcome passengers of the Panstar Miracle. Photo by Kim Youngwon

"Can't Sit Still"... Nonstop Cruise-Style Entertainment

The highlight of the cruise was the endless lineup of onboard activities. The Netflix shows that passengers had downloaded in anticipation of a flight-like experience were left unwatched.

After dinner, dazzling performances took place. The three-member live performance group "Real Players" and trot singer "Park Jin" got passengers dancing in their seats. According to Panstar, a trot singer was invited because most guests were in their 50s or older. Other activities included a singing contest, dance time, and prize drawings.

The multi-talented crew members were also impressive. In addition to attending to passengers, they played piano, performed magic, and served as MCs. The cruise crew included people of various nationalities, including Koreans, Filipinos, and Japanese. During the day, they wore formal attire and served food, but in the evening, they played musical instruments. A Panstar representative explained, "We designed the experience to be 'seamless,' with continuous entertainment and no boundaries. For the crew, we even travel to the Philippines to hold auditions and hire those with a variety of talents."

Flight attendants performing live at the VIP lounge. Photo by Youngwon Kim

Meanwhile, the Panstar Miracle cruise regularly operates routes between Busan and Osaka, with both one-way and round-trip options available. For those hesitant about a full cruise experience, short trips such as the Busan Port or Korea Strait one-night cruise are also offered. These products can be found through the travel agency Modetour. Noting the growing demand for cruise travel in Korea, Modetour has partnered with its subsidiary and cruise product distributor, Cruise International, to expand its product lineup. Since the beginning of the year, reservation rates for short-haul cruises between Korea and Japan have increased by about 45% compared to the same period last year.