Cruising Japan, Taiwan and The Philippines

Days 1-3 Adelaide to Tokyo

After arriving in Tokyo, enjoy a private transfer to your accommodation. You have two nights here to explore before joining your cruise.

Tokyo is packed with some of the world’s best shops, museums and restaurants, big and small. Its historic gardens and neighbourhoods speak to a timeless Japan that has survived into the 21st century.

Day 4

Your private transfer will take you from your hotel to the port to join your cruise.

Days 5-6 Osaka, Japan

Visit Osaka's bustling markets, lose yourself in streets bathed in neon and shop up a storm in high-end department stores. 

Day 9 Miyako, Japan

Explore Maehama Beach, a sunny stretch of shoreline that has been voted one of the best beaches in Japan.

Make your way across the bridge into Kurima and explore the village's local art and craft shops. Down south, explore Miyako Island's semi-submarine or soar over the tree-tops in an 895-foot-long chair lift.

Day 10 Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan

There are plenty of good coffee shops, markets and museums downtown, and you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes at the night market. 

Taiwan’s capital is just half an hour away by car, or around 45 minutes by train. Here, traditional temples and world-class museums sit amid the skyscrapers. The modern metropolis has top restaurants, food markets and upscale shopping.

Taipei Metro makes it easy to explore the city, or you can take an excursion to the countryside: a national park and a protected forest make for excellent day trips from both Taipei and Keelung.

Day 11 Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung's architecture ranges from atmospheric temples and monasteries to soaring commercial skyscrapers and gleaming malls. Spend your day visiting funky boutiques, colourful metro stations and modern galleries.

The wide streets are filled with cafés and restaurants, and the seafood and noodle stalls around Cijin Island are especially worth a visit. Stroll along Kaohsiung’s impressive harbour, one of the largest container ports in the world; walk or cycle around scenic Lotus Lake, with its Chinese pagodas; or sit at a bankside café on the Love River. 

Day 12 at sea

Day 13 Manila, Philippines

Head to Manila's oldest neighbourhood, the fortress enclave of Intramuros, which was founded in the 16th century and features sights such as Fort Santiago, Casa Manila and San Agustin Church.

In the upscale financial centre of Makati, visitors can find an array of bars, spas and restaurants in addition to malls like Glorietta, the landscaped Greenbelt Park and Ayala Museum, which showcases archaeological artefacts and indigenous textiles and art.

In and around Rizal Park are several good museums, while the creative spirit of the city—from live music venues to independent art galleries—is sprinkled throughout several districts, and spaces such as the Cultural Centre of the Philippines host shows, film screenings and plays. For day trips, Corregidor Island should not be missed.

Day 14 Boracay, Philippines

Boasting one of the best beaches in the Philippines, Boracay is a small four-mile-long and half-mile-wide island in the southern Philippines. Powdery white sand beaches, azure waters, and stretches of coconut palms are the recipe for a tropical paradise. Enjoy the tastefully designed thatched-roof resorts and the wide variety of cuisine available.

Day 15 Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Discover beautiful sandy beaches and a wealth of marine life. Nearby, there are lush mountains, rain forests, waterfalls and dramatic limestone cliffs. The Palawan Heritage Centre, which displays local artworks and crafts, and the peaceful Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village are must-visits.

Take a boat trip through the limestone caves of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and visit the beaches and islands scattered around scenic Honda Bay.

Day 16-17 at sea

Days 18-20 Hong Kong

Many cruises in Southeast and East Asia start or end in Hong Kong, and it's definitely a great city in which to spend a day or two sightseeing. Top things to do include shopping at Temple Street Night Market, eat at one of countless fine dining restaurants, let your hair down in Lan Kwai Fong (the nightlife district) and hike the Dragon's Back urban track.