Day 1 – Tokyo, Japan

Departs 04:00 pm.

Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It’s a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – Kagoshima, Japan

Arrives 09:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

From the 12th century to the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kagoshima was the chief stronghold of the mighty Shimazu clan. The city lies at the top of the Satsuma Peninsula, a mountainous, geothermal wonderland of hot springs and geysers. The area is also rich in modern Japanese history: Saigo Takamori and the Satsuma samurai were leaders of the Meiji Restoration that toppled the shogun and restored the Emperor to power in 1868. In 1877, dissatisfied with the direction of the new government, Saigo led the Satsuma Rebellion, which ended in his death and the final defeat of the samurai.The symbol of Kagoshima is Sakura Jima – the volcanic island that sits just offshore. The volcano has erupted over 30 times in recorded history.

Day 4 – At Sea

Day 5 – Okinawa, Japan

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

The largest island in the Ryukyu Archipelago, Okinawa has been a center of trade and a source for conflict through its history. The island has been an independent kingdom, the feudal possession of a Japanese daimyo and a prefecture of Japan following the Meiji Restoration of 1866. Okinawa was the scene of bitter fighting during the closing days of World War II. Over 100,000 civilians perished and the island was left in ruins. A US military possession, Okinawa returned to Japanese rule in 1972. Naha is the island’s largest city and the capital of Okinawa Prefecture.Okinawa is the birthplace of karate. One of the world’s most popular martial arts, karate is a fusion of Chinese kung fu and traditional island martial arts.

Day 6 – At Sea

Day 7 – Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

Tucked away at the southern end of Taiwan, Kaohsiung is a thriving city with a foot firmly planted in its past, yet with an eye towards the future. As Taiwan’s second largest city, it’s rapidly becoming an economic powerhouse, yet it fully embraces its historical heritage.Through the centuries, Kaohsiung, like the rest of Taiwan, would be bounced back and forth between the Dutch, Chinese and Japanese, Today it’s a thriving metropolis that’s home to the World Game Stadium, the world’s largest solar-powered stadium, and Lotus Pond, a delightful attraction overflowing with colorful temples and shrines.It’s also the gateway to a number of spectacular must-see sights such as: Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city and its capital for 200 years; and the Fokuangshan Monastery, a Buddhist retreat known for its spectacular scenery, serenity and Buddha statues.

Day 8 – At Sea

Day 9 – Hong Kong

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 10:00 pm.

Skyscrapers form a glistening forest of steel and glass, junks and sampans ply the busy harbor waters, and the green, dragon-crested hills of Kowloon beckon. Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world’s great travel destinations. Now a semi-autonomous region of China, Hong Kong – literally “Fragrant Harbor” – has lost none of its charm, excitement or exoticism. Modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels climb the slopes of Hong Kong Island. Narrow streets are crammed with noodle vendors, fortunetellers and bonesetters. The endless array of shops offer the visitor everything from hand-tailored suits and ancient porcelain to the latest consumer electronics. And everywhere more than seven million people are moving at a breathtaking pace in one of the world’s great monuments to capitalism, commerce and enterprise.The former Crown Colony has enough attractions to last a lifetime. To take in the entire spectacle, head to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Enjoy lunch on one of the city’s floating restaurants. Walk down one of the crowded streets to take the city’s rapid pulse. And whether you think you are in the mood or not – shop. After all, you are in the duty-free capital of the world.

Day 10 – At Sea

Day 11

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

Day 12 – At Sea

Day 13

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:30 pm.

Day 14 – At Sea

Day 15 – Singapore

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Singapore – the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world. Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.

Day 16 – At Sea

Day 17 – Ko Samui, Thailand

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Thailand’s third largest island has been attracting international travelers for less than half a century. Before then, this island in the Gulf of Thailand was noted for its coconut plantations and rubber production. Today, Ko Samui’s premier charms are its powdery white beaches, its Buddhist temples or wats, and its crystalline waters. Despite the island’s increasing popularity, it retains a casual and unspoiled air that offers a bracing tonic to the experienced traveler.The majority of the island’s population resides in Nathorn, Ko Samui’s capital. The island’s first settlers were a mix of Hainanese coconut farmers and Malay fishermen.Nathorn is an anchorage port. Passengers transfer to shore via ship’s tenders.

Day 18

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 11:59 pm.

Day 19 – At Sea

Day 20 – Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 09:00 pm.

Developed as Cambodia’s sole deepwater port in 1964, Sihanoukville – the former Kampong Som – has become a jealously guarded secret of savvy travelers. This still pristine resort on the Gulf of Thailand boasts beautiful beaches and crystalline waters. Offshore islands offer excellent dive sites and some of the world’s finest big game fishing. Sihanoukville is also renowned for its excellent cuisine featuring superb seafood.Sihanoukville is located on a peninsula some 155 miles southwest of Phnom Penh.

Day 21 – At Sea

Day 22

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

Day 23 – At Sea

Day 24 – At Sea

Day 25 – Langkawi, Malaysia

Arrives 10:00 am, departs 08:00 pm.

Langkawi comprises a group of 99 tropical islands lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The main island is known as Pulau Langkawi. The islands are shrouded with an intriguing heritage of myths and legends that feature ogres and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princesses, battles and romance. Langkawi has been accorded the Geopark status by UNESCO, for its beautiful geological heritage of stunning landscapes, karsts, caves, sea-arches, stacks, glacial dropstones and fossils. With a geological history dating back 500 million years, the islands contain unique rock formations that stir the imagination and baffle the mind.

Day 26 – Phuket, Thailand

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

Hailed as the “Pearl of the Andaman Sea,” this island off Thailand’s long southern coast boasts a colorful history. A crossroads for trade, Phuket has been a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Western influences. Its importance over the past 500 years stemmed from the island’s natural resources, which include tin, hardwoods and rubber. In the past half-century, Phuket has enjoyed wide popularity as one of the premier travel destinations in Southeast Asia. Travelers are drawn to the island’s beaches, crystalline waters, and dramatic, forested hills.

Day 27 – Penang, Malaysia

Arrives 08:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

In 1786 Francis Light persuaded the Sultan of Kedah to cede Pulau Pinang – the “Isle of Betel nut” – to the English crown. Legend has it that Light persuaded his men to clear the overgrown island of Penang by firing a cannon filled with gold coins into the jungle as an incentive. The island was renamed Prince of Wales Island, and its major town was christened Georgetown after King George III. Whether the story is true or not, Penang quickly became a major trading port for tea, spices, china and cloth. Here European, Malaysian, Hindu, Arabic and Chinese cultures met, melded and flourished. Today George Town is a cosmopolitan city that has preserved its unique heritage and its exotic blend of cultures. George Town is perhaps the best-preserved city in Southeast Asia. It boasts a European-style esplanade and a wealth of temples, mosques and Chinese clan houses. Listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2008, this virgin paradise has no shortage of cultural sights and natural scenery.

Day 28

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 05:00 pm.

Day 29 – Singapore

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Singapore – the very name summons visions of the mysterious East. The commercial center of Southeast Asia, this island city-state of five million people is a metropolis of modern high-rise buildings, Chinese shop-houses with red-tiled roofs, sturdy Victorian buildings, Buddhist temples and Arab bazaars. Founded in 1819 by Sir Stamford Raffles of the fabled East India Company, the city is a melting pot of people and cultures. Malay, Chinese, English and Tamil are official languages. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Christianity are the major faiths. Singapore is an ever-fascinating island boasting colorful traditions, luxurious hotels and some of the finest duty-free shopping in the world. Lying just 85 miles north of the Equator at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, the island was a haven for Malay pirates and Chinese and Arab traders.

Day 30 – At Sea

Day 31 – Cam Ranh (Nha Trang), Vietnam

Arrives 09:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

Cam Ranh, historically known as Kăm Mran in the ancient Ede language, has long been significant in the development of Champa culture, serving as a vital military and economic hub since ancient times. It was a bustling commercial center attracting merchants from neighboring regions and was home to various ethnic minorities, including the Cham, Ede, and Raglai peoples. In 1939, the French colonial government established the Ba Ngòi Administrative Agency, enhancing Cam Ranh’s military importance with the construction of fortifications and Cam Ranh Airport. Following the 1954 division of Vietnam, Cam Ranh became part of South Vietnam’s Khánh Hòa province, further developing as a military base, notably during the Vietnam War, when the US military transformed it into a major stronghold. After the war, it was renamed Cam Ranh town and, on December 23, 2010, officially became the city of Cam Ranh, reflecting its continued significance in the region.

Day 32 – At Sea

Day 33

Arrives 07:00 am.

Day 34

Departs 07:00 am.

Day 34 – Scenic Cruising Halong Bay

Arrives 07:30 am, departs 09:30 am.

The deepwater port of Cai Lan is your gateway to the splendors of North Vietnam. Nearby Halong Bay is one of the world’s extraordinary scenic wonders. This World Heritage Site boasts a calm bay studded with over 3,000 dramatic limestone islands, islets and rock formations. Visitors to Cai Lan can also venture up the Red River to fabled Hanoi, the “Pearl of the North.” Today, with memories of the Vietnam War fading, the city impresses with its splendid colonial architecture, ancient temples, superb parks and myriad lakes. It’s little wonder that Northern Vietnam remains one of Asia’s most popular vacation destinations. The limestone islands in Halong Bay are riddled with caves. The French who once ruled Vietnam called Go Dao Cave the Grotte de Merveilles, the grotto of marvels. Of course, they left their graffiti among the astounding assortment of stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 35 – At Sea

Day 36 – Hong Kong

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 11:00 pm.

Skyscrapers form a glistening forest of steel and glass, junks and sampans ply the busy harbor waters, and the green, dragon-crested hills of Kowloon beckon. Welcome to Hong Kong, one of the world’s great travel destinations. Now a semi-autonomous region of China, Hong Kong – literally “Fragrant Harbor” – has lost none of its charm, excitement or exoticism. Modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels climb the slopes of Hong Kong Island. Narrow streets are crammed with noodle vendors, fortunetellers and bonesetters. The endless array of shops offer the visitor everything from hand-tailored suits and ancient porcelain to the latest consumer electronics. And everywhere more than seven million people are moving at a breathtaking pace in one of the world’s great monuments to capitalism, commerce and enterprise.The former Crown Colony has enough attractions to last a lifetime. To take in the entire spectacle, head to Victoria Peak for panoramic views. Enjoy lunch on one of the city’s floating restaurants. Walk down one of the crowded streets to take the city’s rapid pulse. And whether you think you are in the mood or not – shop. After all, you are in the duty-free capital of the world.

Day 37 – At Sea

Day 38

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 04:00 pm.

Day 39 – Ishigaki, Japan

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

The balmy, subtropical climate draws countless visitors to its sandy shores, but Ishigaki offers much more than your typical island getaway. It is the cultural, political and economic center of the Yaeyama Islands, originally founded in 1908 as Yaeyama Village and becoming Ishigaki Town in 1926. Ishigaki was elevated to city status on July 10, 1947. A hilltop Shinto shrine which dates back to 1614 is the perfect place to start your exploration of this lovely town. Noted for its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters to which snorkelers flock for a glimpse of the island’s famed manta rays, Ishigaki Island offers many opportunities to commune with nature. Ishigaki has palm forests, mangrove-lined rivers suited for kayaking, and jungle-covered mountains perfect for hiking adventures. Amidst such natural beauty, you’ll find an abundance of cultural sites with ties to the island’s rich history. The Yaeyama Museum displays historic artifacts as well as traditional cultural items, and a visit to the well-preserved Miyara Dunchi, built in 1819, is a rare example of a samurai-style residence. Be sure to leave time in your busy day to sample some of the sweet island pineapple and to shop for the island’s famed black pearls, a most special souvenir.Note: Ishigaki is an anchorage port. Transportation from ship to shore is via the ship’s tender service.

Day 40 – At Sea

Day 41 – Nagasaki, Japan

Arrives 07:00 am, departs 03:00 pm.

For most travelers, Nagasaki is a symbol of the horror and the inhumanity of war. An estimated 75,000 people perished in 1945 when the city became the second target of a nuclear attack. Today, Nagasaki’s Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum draw visitors from around the world.But this beautiful city on Kyushu offers other sights. Often described as the San Francisco of Japan, the city occupies verdant hills surrounded by a deep-water bay. For three centuries, Nagasaki was Japan’s sole window on the world. The city is also celebrated as the setting for Puccini’s opera “Madame Butterfly.”

Day 42 – At Sea

Day 43 – Tokyo, Japan

Arrives 06:00 am.

Contemporary Tokyo may be the most astonishing city on earth. It’s a paradoxical mix of ancient tradition and postmodern culture. The Ginza, an international shopping mecca, stands near the serene grounds of the Imperial Palace, and the hyper-speed of 21st century consumerism is mysteriously reconciled with the elegance and serenity of traditional culture. Tokyo provides the traveler with a dizzying experience.