Japan & Southeast Asia

Departures & Pricing

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Itinerary

1. 1

   Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

   Departs 03:00 pm.

   Yokohama and Edo began life as sleepy fishing villages. That changed in the early 17th century after Tokugawa Ieyasu became Shogun. Edo became the center of political power in Japan, a position the city retained even after the restoration of Imperial rule in 1866.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.With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Edo was renamed Tokyo, the "Eastern Capital," to distinguish it from the old imperial capital at Kyoto, the "Western Capital."

2. 2

   At Sea

3. 3

   Kochi, Japan

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

   Kochi sits on the broad alluvial plain facing Urado Bay. This city in Shikoku takes its name from the great feudal castle that sits at its very heart. Completed in 1611, Kochi Castle was the seat of Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a noted warrior who supported Tokugawa Ieyasu in his successful quest to become Shogun. Tosa Province and Kochi Castle were Yamauchi's reward for faithful service. There is an historical irony here: 250 years later, a Kochi native son - a former low-ranked samurai and now ronin named Sakamoto Ryoma - played a pivotal role in bringing the Tokugawa Shogunate to an end and restoring the Emperor of Japan to political prominence. The prize once awarded for faithful service had become a hotbed of support for the Meiji Restoration.Kochi is one of the wettest places in Japan - and a frequent target for cyclonic storms or typhoons. Southeast of the city, warm oceans currents washing against the Aki Mountains create a subtropical landscape of hibiscus, palm and ficus at Muroto-Anan Quasi-National Park.

4. 4

   At Sea

5. 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.

6. 6

   At Sea

7. 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.

8. 8

   At Sea

9. 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.

10. 10

    At Sea

    Day 11

    Arrives 08:00 am, departs 07:00 pm.

11. 12

    At Sea

    Day 13

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

12. 14

    At Sea

13. 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

    Arrives 08:00 am, departs 06:00 pm.

14. 17

    Penang, Malaysia

    Arrives 08:00 am, departs 08:00 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.

15. 18

    Langkawi, Malaysia

    Arrives 07:00 am, departs 07:00 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.

16. 19

    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.

17. 20

    At Sea

18. 21

    At Sea

19. 22

    At Sea

20. 23

    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 24

    Arrives 08:00 am, departs 11:00 pm.

21. 25

    At Sea

22. 26

    At Sea

23. 27

    Singapore

    Arrives 07:00 am.

    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.

Book this cruise

Send us an enquiry and a consultant will be in touch, or call 1300 414 198 for personal help choosing a departure.

You might also like

Cruise · Princess Cruises · 28 nights

Japan & Southeast Asia

• Sail aboard the Diamond Princess with MedallionClass experience
• Enjoy Broadway-style entertainment and multicourse dining
• Access fitness facilities and youth/teen clubs for the whole family

Departs 13 November, 2027

From $6,058 pp twin

Discover more

Cruise · Princess Cruises · 14 nights

Southeast Asia & Japan

• Experience the MedallionClass® service and Broadway-style entertainment on board
• Indulge in multicourse dining and casual venues across the ship
• Enjoy access to fitness facilities and youth and teen clubs (ages 3-17)

Departs 14 September, 2027

From $2,921 pp twin

Discover more

Cruise · Princess Cruises · 14 nights

Southeast Asia & Japan

• Sail aboard the Diamond Princess with MedallionClass experience
• Indulge in Broadway-style entertainment and multicourse dining
• Uncover the rich history and natural beauty of Japan and Taiwan

Departs 27 November, 2027

From $2,559 pp twin

Discover more