The Princess South China Sea Explorer is a 16-day cruise aboard the Ocean Princess departing from Singapore and disembarks in Shanghai. Cruisers can also travel in the opposite direction. In Vietnam, the Princess stops in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City and in Japan, it docks in Okinawa.
The Vietnam shore excursions include a guided excursion in Ho Chi Minh City and a Mekong Delta boat tour through the maze of waterways, stopping on an island to sample fresh tropical fruits. In Okinawa, there's the Shurijo Castle & Kokusai Street tour. The medieval castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site. History buffs will appreciate the Himeyuri Monument and Navy Underground Headquarters tour. In addition to Japan and Vietnam, the Ocean Princess calls at ports in Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The Southeast Asia and China cruise lasts 16 days. Passengers board the Diamond Princess in Beijing and disembark in Singapore. The ship calls on Nagasaki in Japan and Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
In Nagasaki, offered excursions are to Shimabara Castle and Samurai Village to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle of centuries past or into the mountains to visit the artisan town of Arita, with its famed tradition of creating intricate pottery.
In Nha Trang, cruisers can tour a Buddhist shrine, an embroidery workshop or the Cham Tower Complex. They journey into the countryside, filled with rice paddies, vibrant tropical gardens and bamboo groves; stroll through an open-air farmer's market and visit a traditional farmhouse. The Diamond Princess also visits Thailand and South Korea.
Cruisers on the 28-day South China Sea and Japan Grand Adventure aboard the Ocean Princess will visit not only to Japan and Vietnam but also Russia, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore. They can begin in Bangkok and end in Osaka or take the opposite route, starting in Osaka and ending in Singapore.
The Princess calls at Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. In Japan, it stops at Okinawa, Hakata and Hiroshima. The Da Nang highlight is a tour of the Imperial Citadel & Tu Duc Royal Tomb tour. The citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam's most popular attraction. In Osaka tourists view the 14th-century Golden Pavilion and the magnificent hall of the 17th-century Nijo Castle. Also in Osaka, visitors have the chance to participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
