Beijing: Forbidden City/Tian An Men Square (overnight land program) »
Visit Beijing prior to embarking your Crystal ship. Your Beijing experience begins with a visit to the Forbidden City, the world of The Last Emperor. Between the 15th and early 20th centuries, this magnificent complex, containing 210 acres of pavilions, gardens and courtyards, was home to 24 emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Considered one of the greatest feats in human history, the city’s construction is presently one of the largest and best-preserved palace complexes in the world. There are more than one million rare and valuable objects in the museum, many of which are on display for you to view.
Next, proceed to Tiananmen Square. Originally designed and built in 1651, it was enlarged to approximately 100 acres and cemented over in 1958. The square derives its name from the imposing stone Gate of Heavenly Peace, which once served as the main gate of the former Imperial Palace. Designed for massive gatherings, the plaza can accommodate more than one million people. Aside from military parades, Tiananmen Square has become a rallying point for student demonstrations, most notably a pro-democracy rally in 1989. It was in this square that Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Mao’s body is entombed in the nearby Mao Zedong Memorial Hall.
In the late afternoon, check in to your hotel; tonight have dinner at your hotel, using the voucher you received during check-in at the restaurant of your choice.
Apr 1, Monday
Beijing: Great Wall (overnight land program) »
After an early breakfast at your hotel, board your motor coach for the scenic, 47-mile journey through the countryside to one of mankind’s most impressive creations, the Great Wall. Built in the 3rd century BC to protect China’s northern border from marauding nomads and “barbarians,” the wall stretches about 4,500 miles east to west. Today, it remains a monument to the painstaking endeavors of nearly one million workers. Please wear comfortable shoes with soft rubber soles, as the walkway’s worn stones are frequently slippery.
Stop briefly at a local restaurant for a lunch of Chinese cuisine before returning to downtown Beijing and commencing a fascinating rickshaw tour of Beijing’s hutongs, or narrow streets and alleys. First appearing in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty of 1271 to 1368, hutongs are created by courtyard houses, which form a Siheyuan, or quadrangle. Most quadrangles are surrounded by high walls; the passages that join one quadrangle to another are the narrow hutongs you will investigate today aboard your rickshaw. A highlight of this unique experience is your visit with a local family, offering an inmate glimpse into Chinese life.
Tonight you are invited to a spectacular dinner and performance at the Great Hall of the People. This impressive structure is where China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, assembles for deliberations on state affairs. The building houses lavish facilities for official entertaining, including the enormous banquet hall where Richard Nixon dined during his historic visit to China in 1972.
Apr 2, Tuesday
Beijing: Temple of Heaven (land program) »
After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed to the Temple of Heaven. This masterpiece of 15-century architecture was constructed according to the most advanced principles of mechanics and geometry available at the time. The complex includes two circular ceremonial buildings with blue-tiled roofs, which were the shrines where China’s emperors worshiped. After the Communist Revolution in 1949, the Temple of Heaven became a public park. Take this opportunity to stroll through its ground and enjoy a short Tai Chi class. Tai Chi is an ancient form of exercise originating from the unusual combination of self-defense and Taoism. Its slow continuous movements create a harmony between the inner and outer body. It features the hard and soft martial art technique, celebrated through generations of Chinese for its contribution for human health and longevity. Feast your eyes on the demonstration by the Chinese Tai Chi master first, then learn the basic moves. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local venue before bidding a fond farewell to Beijing as you journey to the port of Tianjin to join your Crystal ship.
Apr 2, Tuesday
Beijing/Xingang, China »
6 pm
After an early breakfast at your hotel, board your motor coach for the scenic, 47-mile journey through the countryside to one of mankind’s most impressive creations, the Great Wall. Built in the 3rd century BC to protect China’s northern border from marauding nomads and “barbarians,” the wall stretches about 4,500 miles east to west. Today, it remains a monument to the painstaking endeavors of nearly one million workers. Please wear comfortable shoes with soft rubber soles, as the walkway’s worn stones are frequently slippery.
Stop briefly at a local restaurant for a lunch of Chinese cuisine before returning to downtown Beijing and commencing a fascinating rickshaw tour of Beijing’s hutongs, or narrow streets and alleys. First appearing in Beijing during the Yuan Dynasty of 1271 to 1368, hutongs are created by courtyard houses, which form a Siheyuan, or quadrangle. Most quadrangles are surrounded by high walls; the passages that join one quadrangle to another are the narrow hutongs you will investigate today aboard your rickshaw. A highlight of this unique experience is your visit with a local family, offering an inmate glimpse into Chinese life.
Tonight you are invited to a spectacular dinner and performance at the Great Hall of the People. This impressive structure is where China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, assembles for deliberations on state affairs. The building houses lavish facilities for official entertaining, including the enormous banquet hall where Richard Nixon dined during his historic visit to China in 1972.
Apr 3, Wednesday
Dalian, China »
8 am
5 pm
The world's powers have been wrestling over the city of Dalian for over a century. In 1895, Japan laid claim to Dalian. A few years later the Russians took over. In 1905, Japan gained it back. After World War II, the Soviet Union occupied the city for ten years before leaving on friendly terms.
Once you visit Dalian, you will understand what all the fuss is about. It is a large, clean, modern city with a perfect location on the Yellow Sea. Scenic beaches beckon from just outside of town, annual festivals celebrate high fashion and the lotus flower, seafood is plentiful and delicious, and the national pastime, soccer, is followed with a passion.
Apr 4, Thursday
Cruising the Yellow Sea »
Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.
Apr 5, Friday
Shanghai, China (overnight) »
8 am
Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today. Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower. A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite. Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.
Apr 6, Saturday
Shanghai, China »
12 m
Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today. Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower. A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite. Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.
Apr 7, Sunday
Cruising the Yellow Sea »
Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.
Apr 8, Monday
Pusan, South Korea »
8 am
6 pm
Pusan, South Korea’s largest port city, is the country’s second largest city after Seoul and the world’s fifth largest port. Even shopping is a huge draw thanks to the world’s largest department store, Shinsegae Centrum City, located in Busan.
But this thriving metropolis is a place of smaller pleasures too. Six inviting beaches are ready to accommodate vacationers and day trippers; a trendy university area is alive with cafes, bars and restaurants; and an old central business district features eateries made famous by recipes handed down through the generations.
Apr 9, Tuesday
Nagasaki, Japan »
8 am
5 pm
Nagasaki is a thriving city on Kyushu Island's northwestern shores. As Japan's only access to the West, it flourished during a period of national isolation in the 16th century and continues to be influenced by the ideas and technology of other cultures. Must-see attractions include Japan's oldest gothic-style wooden church and the inspirational Peace Park. Also of particular note is the stately Glover Mansion, an impressive hideaway which was the legendary setting of Puccini's opera, Madame Butterfly. A harmonious blend of ancient and modern influences will be yours to enjoy during your sojourn in Nagasaki.
Apr 10, Wednesday
Cruising the Inland Sea »
Your Day at Sea
Enrich. Entertain. Escape.
Adjust the compass of your mood and design your day exactly as you wish: pamper yourself at the Feng Shui-inspired Crystal Spa, work-out at our state-of-the-art fitness center or Walk-on-Water along our 360o Promenade Deck; teach yourself something new with complimentary language lessons by Berlitz or piano instruction with Yamaha; enhance your computer skills at our Computer University@Sea or learn about art, history and worldly destinations with our engaging lecture series; sneak away to watch recently-released movies in the Hollywood Theater, shop our luxury boutiques, or simply relax by one of our tranquil pools. From Tai Chi and yoga to PGA golf instruction and paddle tennis on full-size courts, today is all about you. As evening arrives, dine on the inspired cuisines of Nobu Matsuhisa, Piero Selvaggio and Crystal’s own acclaimed chefs, enjoy special wine-makers dinners, lavish Broadway-style productions, intimate lounges, a pulsing dance club or our action-packed Crystal Casino. The choices are yours.
Kōbe, Japan (overnight) »
8 am
Cosmopolitan Kobe is a modern, bustling city of more than one and a half million people. Throughout its long history, it has functioned as a hub of international trade and exchange.
It contains a remarkable mix of architectural styles, including Moslem mosques and Russian Orthodox churches tucked between traditional Japanese buildings. To the north stands majestic Mount Rokko, the highest peak in the Rokko Range. A cable car ride to its summit reveals unsurpassed views of Kobe Harbor and Awaji.
Kobe is also our gateway to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of Classical Japan.
Apr 11, Thursday
Kōbe, Japan (overnight) »
Cosmopolitan Kobe is a modern, bustling city of more than one and a half million people. Throughout its long history, it has functioned as a hub of international trade and exchange.
It contains a remarkable mix of architectural styles, including Moslem mosques and Russian Orthodox churches tucked between traditional Japanese buildings. To the north stands majestic Mount Rokko, the highest peak in the Rokko Range. A cable car ride to its summit reveals unsurpassed views of Kobe Harbor and Awaji.
Kobe is also our gateway to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of Classical Japan.
Apr 12, Friday
Kōbe, Japan »
Disembark am
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
This cruise itinerary is provided for your information. It is not available to be sold as a Cruiseco holiday*. As a specialist, your Cruiseco travel agent will be able to advise you about this cruise, and make you aware of alternatives.
* Qantas Frequent Flyer points do not apply for this cruise.
Ports
Beijing
The capital of The People's Republic of China covers an area of some 6,870 square miles and boasts a population of over 11 million people. At the heart of this immense metropolis lies the Forbidden City. Two more examples of China's enduring culture are The Great Wall and Tiananmen Square.
Country - China Distance from port to City - 225kms Distance from port to Airport - 250kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest Tiananmen Square, Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace
Shanghai
For the past 15 years Shanghai has reawakened and regained its former glory as “The Paris of the East” in the 1920s and 30s. Its new skyscrapers seem to go up almost overnight, especially in the Pudong District, Shanghai's commericial center. And the air's electric with a sense of confidence and purpose.
Even the best museum, the Shanghai Museum, is but a decade old and already owns a collection of bronze that may well be the finest in the world. Still, there are a few more ancient sites worth your attention such as the pastoral, 16th century Yu Garden, an extraordinary maze of Ming Dynasty pavilions and bridges, encircled by an udulating dragon wall.
Country - China Distance from port to City - 5kms Distance from port to Airport - 50kms Currency - Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Places of Interest The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yuyuan Gardens, Old Bazaar, Xintiandi, Shanghai Museum
Pusan
With nearly four million people, Busan (Pusan) is South Korea's second largest city and the country's largest seaport. Pusan is your gateway to a fascinating land whose culture is a unique amalgam of old and new. Modern high-rise towers dwarf ancient Buddhist temples, and the city's bustling business district offers a stark contrast to the serene grounds of Yongdusan Park.
Country - South Korea Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from port to Airport - 25kms Currency - Korean Won (KRW)
Places of Interest Yongdusan Park, Ja-Gal-Chi Fish Market, Gyeong Ju
Kobe
Kobe is known as a city with a unique style and exotic atmosphere, which has been affected by the foreign cultures and have flourished since its time as an international port. Also it boasts the Rokko Mountains and hot springs. Arima has plenty of places to see that convey traditional Japan and Kobe is positioned as one of the most popular sightseeing cities.
Country - Japan Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 30kms Currency - Yen (JPY)
Places of Interest Kobe City Museum, Rokko Mountains
Map
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Crystal Cruises
Luxury, as they say, is in the details. It is so often the little details that make all the difference. And on a Crystal cruise, the differences are many. Here are some of the things that set us apart and have resulted in us receiving "World's Best Large-Ship Cruise Line" honors year after year.
Exclusive to the Crystal Experience
* Full 360° open air teak Promenade Deck with exclusive WOW® - "Walk on Water" - fitness program * The Bistro, our popular European-style coffee and wine bar, which offers complimentary specialty coffee and tea drinks, along with light snacks served throughout the day * Up to seven evening dining options including a choice of classic main or late seating in our Crystal Dining Room, or open seating in our specialty restaurants, so guests can always choose where, when and with whom they would like to dine * European-trained wait staff in the Crystal Dining Room and in our specialty restaurants featuring the cuisine of Nobu Matsuhisa, Wolfgang Puck and Piero Selvaggio * Wine cellar with more than 200 vintages including Crystal's exclusive "C" label * Crystal Casino: offering mini-Baccarat, dice tables, roulette, blackjack and over 100 slot machines, all governed by the State of Nevada Gaming Regulations * Our innovative Creative Learning Institute®, offering complimentary Yamaha piano lessons and Berlitz language classes on every cruise; and on select sailings, special certification enrichment with Cleveland Clinic Wellness Seminars, Pepperdine University Business Seminars, the Smithsonian Associates, Society of Wine Educators and Sotheby's * Computer University@Sea® facility with 24-hour e-mail and Internet access plus instruction in the latest software * The only Feng Shui-inspired spa at sea featuring exotic massages, facial therapies and energy boosting treatments * One of the highest space per guest ratios at sea, offering Crystal Cruises' unparalleled service in luxurious comfortable surroundings * Pre-reservations available for all optional Crystal Adventures shore excursions * Crystal Society Rewards and Recognition Program for returning guests
Always included in the Crystal Experience
* Frette bathrobes and Aveda bath products in every stateroom * Egyptian cotton linens and menu of pillow options for every bed * All meals served on elegant Villeroy & Boch china and all wine served in fine Riedel crystal in the Crystal Dining Room * Most staterooms feature spacious private verandahs with table and chairs for casual dining or relaxing * Stateroom Internet access, television and DVD player to keep in touch with the world if you so choose * Penthouse butler service with personal bar * Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks and specialty coffee drinks throughout the ship * Abundant space, exceptional quality, numerous choices and award-winning service
Take your next voyage with Crystal and discover for yourself why the difference is Crystal clear.
Ship info
Crystal Symphony
The luxurious 50,000-ton, 940-guest Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious cruise ships at sea. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, full-service fitness facility, Crystal casino, Feng Shui-inspired spa, 360° teak Promenade Deck, two pools, Jacuzzi,award-winning cuisine and entertainment, in addition to, elegantly appointed staterooms most with private verandahs.
