This unique voyage serves up a vibrant mixing pot of Asian cultures, history and highlights. Your luxury cruise vessel sails from Shanghai where Western customs and Chinese traditions create an energetic, colourful culture. Along the way, you'll explore the artistic serenity of Kagoshima, memories of WWII on Okinowa, great snorkelling on the coral reefs of Ishigaki and the bustle of Taipei with the treasures of the National Palace museum and the riches of the performing arts in the National Theatre. The Spanish-American influence on Baguio in the Philippines leads you to the island of Coron, coral reefs and spectacular beaches. Certainly one of the best Asian cultural expeditions imaginable.

Available Cruise Departure Dates:
Jul 11, 2012

Shanghai is the symbol of "New China", bustling and busy with excellent shopping. With an eclectic architectural mix from Asian infused Victorian and Art Deco to 21st Century avant-garde, Shanghai is an exciting, ever-changing metropolis. Popular attractions range from the Jade Buddha Temple, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum to modern wonders like the Oriental Pearl Tower. Landmarks of the city include the French Concession and historic waterfront known as the Bund. Shanghai is an excellent base from which to explore the canal towns of the Yangtze delta as well as nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou. Shanghai will host the 2010 World's Fair.

Transfer to/from airport with private vehicle, driver, and English-speaking guide.

The Le Royal Meridien is stylish and sophisticated with an ultra-modern design and is one of the city’s tallest landmarks. It is centrally located at the center of Shanghai, on the historic Nanjing Road East, opposite the People's Square and overlooking the Shanghai Museum and Shanghai Grand Theater. Surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, and museums, the hotel provides easy access to all areas of Shanghai via the Nanjing Pedestrian Walkway or Shanghai's subway. The hotel’s 761 guestrooms and suites feature the latest technologies and floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows that afford views of Shanghai’s famed skyline. Beyond the rooms, the hotel features ten exciting restaurants and bars that offer a variety of cuisines.

Overnight at Le Royal Meridien .

Half day private guided tour of Jade Buddha Temple and Yuyuan Garden with deluxe lunch. The Jade Buddha Temple is one of the most popular sights in Shanghai containing rare white jade Buddhas brought from Burma in the nineteenth century. One is seated while the other is in the recumbent position of Sakyamuni symbolizing the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment or nirvana. Yuyuan Garden is the largest of Shanghai's ancient gardens with architectural styles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The garden has six areas, each with its own style, the most popular being the Grand Rockery in the center.

Overnight at Le Royal Meridien .

Cruise the seas of Southeast Asia, transitioning from highly cultural and historic port cities within China, Japan, the Philippeans or Malaysia. Your luxurious onboard experience will be enhanced with shore excursions out to explore both the modern and traditional city and island highlights of this vibrant region.

Meet your private driver and guide at the hotel, and depart Shanghai for a half-day excursion to Zhujiajiao; a beautiful water town on the banks of the Yangtze an hour outside of Shanghai. The 47 square kilometer town is almost 1700 years old. Its beauty lies in its lovely streams, which reflect the traditional houses built on their banks. Large and small gondola-like boats in typical Chinese style ply the waters all around the city. After your tour, you'll be returned to Shanghai.

Private Transfer between Shanghai Pier and hotel.

Welcome aboard your cruise vessel!
After embarkation, meet some of your fellow cruise passengers and get settled in.

Orion II is a private yacht-like expedition cruise ship built by Cantieri Navale Ferrari of Italy. After a number of years as a private yacht, Orion II was relaunched in 2009 following an extensive technical refit. Little expense was spared with this stylish, Italian built, all-suite Mega Yacht. Orion II now offers the finest standards in small-ship cruise travel. She also has an ice-strengthened hull for voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic and is fitted with stabilisers. The expedition equipment includes Zodiacs and fast tender to deliver the Orion expedition experience. Combining luxury and service will require staffing by 68 offices and crew to serve Orion II’s capacity of 100 guests. Excellence of design, craftsmanship and quality materials combined with Orion II’s spaciousness and intimate ambience make her ideal for distinctive cultural and expedition voyages.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

The Shanghai skyline is full of extraordinary architecture and the streets a multicultural mix where Western customs and Chinese traditions create an energetic, colourful culture. You will explore Shanghai today before your ship will depart and sail toward Kagoshima.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Days at sea aboard Orion are less structured than a typical cruise ship. Rise at your leisure and select from a variety of breakfast options. Late morning consider joining a presentation in the Lecture Theatre by one of the Expedition Staff or a Guest Speaker. Luncheon is served both indoors and out and the timeless tradition of afternoon tea is observed at 4:00pm.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today you will begin the day by boarding coaches and crossing the Kagoshima harbour by ferry to visit the observation area for the Sakurajima Volcano. After viewing Sakurajima you will proceed to an unusual feature of the area, the Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath Park. With great views of the caldera-harbour, you can soak your feet in the geothermally-heated water running through hundreds of metres of foot baths in the ultimate natural foot spa.

You will visit the Senganen Japanese Garden and one time home of the Shimadzu family, feudal lords of this domain, where you will be met by Edo Period Samurai re-enactors. Continuing further a field visit the former Samurai residences of Chiran, where the streets are lined with ponds full of Japanese Koi Carp and finally onto the Chiran Peace Park, documenting the history of the infamous Kamikaze pilots of World War II.

Optional:
Available as an optional tour today is a very special experience combining several unique features of Japanese culture. This tour visits a private art gallery in Ibusuki known as the Satsuma Denshokan, located in Hakusuikan Ryokan (a ryokan is a traditional Japanese style accommodation house usually incorporating natural hot springs). You'd expect to find a private gallery of this class in a large city like Tokyo, but thanks to the ryokan's owners who have spent the last 60 years amassing this amazing 3,000-piece collection, you will find the gallery at home in this small resort area. An award-winning, architecturally-designed, Kyoto-style building set within a reflective pond, displays 380 pieces on a rotating basis, including artefacts dating from the Meiji Restoration. The gallery also houses Chinese ceramics and porcelain spanning over 8 centuries, including rare finds with Imperial stamps. In addition to the art experience you will also have the opportunity to bathe in a traditional onsen (hot spring fed baths) and try a traditional sand bath in the volcanically heated sands.

Note – traditional onsens require participants to be clothing free, towels and robes are provided for your modesty whilst moving in and out of the baths. Separate bathing areas are provided for males and females.

To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today you continue sailing en route to your next destination, Okinawa in Japan's Ryukyu Islands. Relax with a drink in hand, enjoy a book, or join one of the seminars on board from your expedition team.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today you are invited to visit the former Japanese Imperial Navy HQ on Okinawa, and traverse the underground tunnel system linking the command bunkers that controlled the Japanese forces during the Battle of Okinawa. The nearby peace memorial with its eternal flame are a reminder of all those who lost their lives in the battle and of the overall futility of war.

The significant Shuri Castle had many links to the unique system of paying tribute to both the Japanese and Chinese emperors. Local guides will escort you through the fascinating passageways and grand rooms of the castle.

You'll finish your exploration of the area today with a walk through the Gangala Valley. A well-formed path takes you through a semi-collapsed cave system, surrounded by forests featuring giant Banyan trees. Within the valley is the site of a pre-historic settlement estimated to date some 18,000 years back.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Ishigaki Island is surrounded by coral reefs and small uninhabited islands. Today you'll explore the beautiful beaches, both sandy and rocky, that offer great snorkelling in clear waters.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Your included expedition today will take you on a tour of the local wetlands. Boarding large, comfortable river boats with local guides you will travel upstream through mangroves and rainforest observing the local flora birdlife. In the upper reaches of the river you can undertake a short forest walk to a small waterfall, before rejoining the river boats.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Keelung has impressive temples, small shrines and shopping malls everywhere. The National Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art and the performance calendar is packed at the National Theatre and Concert Hall. Discover this city simply bursting with energy and culture.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today is a day spent at sea aboard your luxury cruise vessel. Relax at the jacuzzi on the sundeck, or join your fellow cruisemates at the social hub, the deck 3 lounge.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today you will use the port of San Fernando in Northern Luzon, the Philippines, purely as the access point to Baguio situated in the mountains of Luzon.

You will travel by coach from the port of San Fernando to the mountain top hideaway of Luzon where you will explore the surrounds of Baguio. “The Mansion” is the second official residence of the Philippines President, and although access is restricted you can see the outside of the Mansion and its surrounding gardens. You will visit Mines View Park which boasts an extensive view into the valleys below and gives you an opportunity to visit some local markets.

Lunch will consist of a Filipino-style banquet at Camp John Hay, and will include traditional cultural performances from local hill tribes.

After lunch you will visit the BenCab Museum, home to a vast array of traditional and contemporary art from the region and also Tam-awan Village, which replicates traditional building styles and gardens of the hill tribes of Luzon, before returning to the port and your awaiting ship.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today the Zodiac fleet will be available to shuttle you to one of Puerto Galera’s beautiful white sand beaches for swimming and snorkelling.

Alternatively, you can embark one of the Zodiacs going to the small waterfront township and visit the coffee shops or enjoy a cold San Miguel Pilsener from one of the small local bars.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Throughout the day you will have access to Atiwayan beach and the nearby reef for snorkelling and swimming. The local Tagbanua people will present cultural displays on the beach when you arrive. They will display their traditional dance and demonstrate the method for extracting edible birds’ nests by scaling the vertical cliffs barefoot. A scenic Zodiac cruise to the twin lakes will also be available today. The scenery is absolutely spectacular and presents great opportunities for photography.

Optional:

The local Tagbanua people operate a tourism cooperative designed to bring income and skills to the local people. This tour allows guests to contribute to the community and their goals of managing their own destiny through tourism. Using local boats, run by local guides you will visit Kagayan Lake, which is accessed by a reasonable 20-30 minute walk into the interior of Coron Island. You're invited to take a refreshing dip in the lake and enjoy the spectacular views back over the bay. A cave once used for the edible birds nest collection is also visible on the walk to and from the lake. You will proceed to Lajala Village, home to many master boat-makers, and have an opportunity to see the boat makers at work and also visit the local school. In addition, there will be a cultural performance in the village included in this experience.

To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Optional:

For certified scuba divers, Coron offers many opportunities. In conjunction with a local dive company you will be offered a two-dive package during your visit to Coron. The reefs are spectacular and many wrecks from World War II are scattered around the area. Actual dive sites will depend on local conditions on the day. This experience is only available to certified divers and the dives are provided by local operators.

To participate in an optional activity, please contact your travel consultant.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today is your final full day of cruising, as you prepare to pull into the port of Tawau tomorrow for disembarkation. Enjoy the company of your fellow cruisemates before bidding them adieu in the morning.

Overnight at M/V Orion II (14N) .

Today you'll arrive at the port of Tawau, where you will disembark from your ship, and say farewell to your fellow cruisemates.

A private vehicle will transfer you to the Tawau Airport.

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .