Far East Cruise: China, Japan, South Korea aboard the Costa Allegra

What about a fantastic far east cruise at a very low price? Sail off the beaten path on a fantastic voyage through the Far East aboard the deluxe Costa Allegra cruise ship!

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exotic far east cruise begins as you check in for your wide-body jet flight for Shanghai, departing shortly after midnight of the following day.

Day 2: En route.

Day 3: Shanghai, China. Arrive this morning in Shanghai, a bustling port and commercial center often called the "Paris of the East." Shanghai has gone through a major revitalization in recent years and is now considered one of Asia's most vibrant and exciting cities. After customs formalities, transfer to your centrally located hotel.

Day 4: Shanghai. Enjoy a full day a leisure to explore Shanghai on your own. Or, join an optional including some of Shanghai's most fascinating places. Begin at the Shanghai Museum of ancient Chinese art, which possesses a collection of 120,000 precious works. Its rich and high-quality collection of ancient Chinese bronze, ceramics, painting and calligraphy is known throughout the world.

Continue to the impressive and colorful Jade Buddha Temple, which houses two exceptional Buddha statues, each exquisitely carved from a single piece of white jade, as well as a much larger reclining Buddha made of marble.

Visit the Yu Yuan Garden, a classical Chinese garden located in the center of the Old Town, first established in the 16th century. The lavish garden is comprised of rockeries, ponds, pavilions, towers, and over 30 pavilions linked by a maze of corridors and bridges over ponds.

You'll also visit the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, a notable Shanghai landmark in the newly developed Pudong area. It is a working TV tower and one of the tallest structures in Asia ($69 per person).

Day 5: Shanghai & set sail. Enjoy more leisure time today before transferring to the port to board your luxury cruise ship, the Costa Allegra and begin your weeklong cruise.

Day 6: At sea. All the fantastic facilities of the ship are available to you as you spend a day at sea. Stroll the ample decks, enjoy an invigorating swim in the pool, or take advantage of the many leisure activities aboard the ship.

Day 7: Kagoshima, Japan. Arrive this morning in Kagoshima, located at the southernmost tip of Kyushu, Japan's third-largest island. Kagoshima's most notable feature is a breathtaking view of Mount Sakurajima, an imposing volcanic mountain that towers majestically over the city from across the Kagoshima Bay. Kagoshima is also known for its delightful subtropical climate, its great variety of flora and fauna, and an abundance of hot springs.

Day 8: Nagasaki, Japan. After a night of sailing, arrive at the ancient port city of Nagasaki. Destroyed by the second atomic bomb in World War II, Nagasaki eventually recovered and thrives today as a modern industrial port. Still, there are numerous sites throughout the city observing the event and its victims. Among the most powerful memorial sites are the Atomic Bomb Musuem, the ruins of the Urakami Cathedral, Peace Park, and the black stone obelisk memorial marking ground zero. We also recommend a visit to the Glover Mansion, the setting of Puccini's Madame Butterfly and a fantastic place to take in views of the city.

Day 9: Fukuoka, Japan. Disembark today at Fukuoka, located on the northern shore of Kyushu Island. Fukuoka is said to be the oldest city in Japan, and ancient texts and archaeology confirm this was a very critical place in its founding. As the island's largest city and industrial center, Fukuoka offers a wide variety of city attractions including renowned Japanese restaurants and excellent shopping venues, especially for local handmade crafts such as silk and Hakata dolls.

Day 10: Cheju, South Korea. Often referred to as the "Island of the Gods," Cheju Island lies just off the coast of mainland Korea and is a popular vacation spot for Korean and Japanese travelers. With plentiful beaches, hot springs, waterfalls, scuba diving, caves, a crater lake and the tallest mountain in South Korea (Mt. Hallasan), it's easy to see the island's appeal. Cheju also abounds with a lively cultural heritage, as evidenced in its Folkcraft and Natural History Museum, the Folk Village Museum, and a fabulous local market.

Also, look out for a unique anthropological feature of the island—the harubang. These black-lava statues of mushroom-like grinning old men, some up to 9 feet tall, are scattered throughout the island. The origin and purpose of these statues remain a mystery to this day, but locals consider them to be gods offering both protection and fertility. Other attractions include saltwater baths, fragrant nutmeg forests and tangerine groves, and traditional divers that hunt for clams, pearls and other maritime treasures without the use of any scuba gear.

Day 11: Depart China/Arrive USA. Return to Shanghai today for final disembarkation. Bid farewell to China as you transfer to the airport to board your return flight to the USA. Your exciting far east cruise comes to an end as you arrive in the USA later today.

Costa Allegra Carrying only 800 passengers, the intimate Costa Allegra cruise ship is a vessel of imagination and opulence. The play of light on glass and water transforms this magnificent ship into a floating work of art. Inside, the style is contemporary—bright colors blend with a cheerful decor, accented with exquisite hand-cut peach and rose Carrara marble.

The Allegra features a glass atrium spanning three decks and a retractable dome that opens up to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the sky.

Fountains stream into pools that also serve as skylights for the rooms below.

Outside, you will find a swimming pool and three Jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Leisure facilities include a fully-equipped fitness center, the Caracalla Spa, a shopping center, a casino, and a library/internet café.

The Allegra’s staterooms are fully appointed, including satellite TV, air-conditioning & mini bar. Dine at three onboard restaurants, including the Montmartre, which features a stunning wall of glass for horizon-wide sea views. After dinner, meet friends for coffee at the Piazetta Allegra, for a drink at the Murano Bar, or for dancing under the stars at the glass-domed Crystal Club Disco.

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