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Cruise West                 Grand Asia Cruise:  Dates, Rates, Itinerary Information 
Grand Asia

Journey from Kobe to Hanoi on this 19-day voyage through Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam with a single home base: the Spirit of Oceanus. Sail a rugged shoreline along verdant mountains and pristine beaches, exploring temples, palaces, port cities and castle towns, meeting local artisans and visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the way. Complete your visit with land tours of Kyoto / Nara and Angkor Wat / Cambodia.
Grand Asia Itinerary:

Day 1:   Osaka / Kobe
Transfer from Osaka’s Kansai Airport to Kobe where you’ll spend the night at your deluxe hotel. 

Day 2:   Kobe
Enjoy the morning at leisure to explore historic attractions of this port city, one of the first to begin accepting foreign traders following Japan’s 2-1/2 centuries of isolation. Visit Himeji (White Egret) Castle, Japan’s most beautiful stronghold. Board the Spirit of Oceanus and set sail in the early evening. BD
 
Day 3:  Miyajima / Hiroshima
Bright red torii (gates) and tame deer welcome you to Miyajima as you approach the mountainous “island of the shrines,” once regarded as so sacred a place that people were forbidden to till the soil, give birth, pass away or be buried on the land. Here we will meet a Shinto priest and enjoy a performance and personal tour of the famous Itsukushima Shinto shrine.

Hiroshima, a city once battered, is now thriving and devoted to peace. In memory of the 1945 atomic bomb explosion, a Peace Flame, never to be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are abolished, burns in front of the Memorial Cenotaph. Tour the Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum. BLD
 
Day 4:   Nagasaki
Once Japan’s “Gateway to the West,” Nagasaki was one of the few ports open to foreign traders during Japan’s 250-year period of isolation. It was also the second city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War II. Peace Memorial Park offers spectacular views, a reminder of the war’s devastation and a message of hope and rebirth. Tour the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden, an open-air museum exhibiting 19th-century Victorian mansions and gardens built by an enterprising Scotsman who helped to overthrow the shogunate. BLD
 
Day 5:  At Sea
Relax aboard the gracious Spirit of Oceanus as you cruise towards China. BLD
 
Day 6:   Shanghai, China
Originally a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai is now China’s premier cultural, commercial and financial center and the largest city in the country. Strategically located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, it’s one of the world’s busiest ports. The new, architecturally adventurous Shanghai Museum exhibits an extraordinary collection of Chinese art through the ages, while the beautiful pavilions, corridors, streams and courtyards of the Yuyuan Garden offer timeless tranquility. Other not-to-be-missed Shanghai experiences include the French Concession District and Nan Shi, the ancient quarter. BLD
 
Day 7:   Shanghai / Suzhou
Delve deeper into Shanghai, exploring the city on your own, or meander the classical gardens of Suzhou on an optional excursion. BLD 
Day 8:  At Sea
Bask in the amenities of the Spirit of Oceanus and prepare for the delights ahead as we sail south along China’s eastern coast. BLD 

Day 9:  At Sea
Exploration Leaders brief you on upcoming ports and places;as we continue to sail south along China’s eastern coast. BLD

Day 10:  Xiamen
A fusion of natural splendor and man-made wonders, Xiamen (meaning “gate of China”) has been one of China’s major seaports since ancient times. Explore the extraordinary Buddhist Nanputao Temple nestled at the foot of the massive Wulaofeng (Mountain of Five Old Men) overlooking the sea. Return the smile of a Laughing Buddha at the Heavenly Kings Hall and visit Gulangyu Island, home to 20,000 residents, renowned for its delicate natural beauty, ancient relics and colonial architecture. BLD
 
Day 11:   Hong Kong
Ride to the top of Victoria Peak for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Browse the open-air Stanley Market for everything from silk garments to arts and crafts to costume jewelry. Visit the Man Mo Temple (built to honor the god of literature and the god of war) alongside students praying for good results on their exams. BLD
 
Day 12:   At Sea
Skip the roadways and make your way to Vietnam in the lap of luxury — relaxing aboard the Spirit of Oceanus as you sail the South China Sea. BLD
 
Day 13:   Danang / Hoi An
Strategically located in Vietnam’s center, Danang played an important role in the wars of the 20th century. Nearby Hoi An, a small town nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, was a vital seaport in the Champa Kingdom. Harboring a wealth of temples, pagodas and shrines, Hoi An has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site. BLD

Day 14:   Danang / Hue
Hue, the Imperial City, once capital of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945) located on the banks of the Huong or “Perfume” River — surrounded by rice fields, is an important trade center. Legacies of both the ancient Champa Kingdom and years of colonial rule are alive in the city’s art and architecture, including the Forbidden Purple City and the moated Imperial Citadel. BLD
 
Day 15:   At Sea
Take advantage of the expertise of our Exploration Leaders and learn about the cultures you’ve experienced and are about to encounter as we cruise north towards Haiphong. BLD 

Day 16:  Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Take in a seascape of thousands of limestone mountains dotting calm waters as you approach Ha Long Bay. Known as the “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin includes some 1,600 mostly uninhabited islands and islets. Legend has it that Ha Long Bay was carved into the seabed by the tail of a dragon as it plunged to earth. BLD
 
Day 17:  Haiphong / Hanoi
After disembarking in Haiphong, explore Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. A fascinating blend of East and West, Hanoi’s architecture is a fusion of Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. Spend the night at your deluxe hotel. BL
 
Day 18:  Hanoi
Explore Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In the evening, toast your journey with a special farewell dinner at the imposing Co Loa Citadel, an architectural wonder and Vietnam’s first capital. BD
 
Day 19:  Hanoi / Home
Following breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the Hanoi Airport for your flight home. B 

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
2009 Rates and Dates

November 7:  Category Superior $8049 / Category Majesty $8649 / Category Premium $9249 / Category Classic $10249 / Category Explorer $11799 / Category Titan $13149 / Category Owners Suite $18699

The cost includes service charges for land-based personnel and $655 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees, and onboard services. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Airfare extra. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of your departure. Visas are required for travel to China and Vietnam and are not included in the cruise rates. Due to the unpredictability of international flights an add-on hotel night in Hanoi, Vietnam, is strongly advised.   How To Obtain A Vietnam VisaChina Tourist Visa Information