Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents from around the world. Here East meets West and the result is electric. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony. The bustling city streets are lined with teeming markets and sophisticated boutiques tucked tightly into any available crevice. Some of the world's best shopping is found in Central, located on Hong Kong Island and only a short ferry ride away.
Mar 24, Sunday
Hong Kong, China »
10 pm
Although Hong Kong has returned to its original Chinese roots, it still remains a cosmopolitan city with influences, languages and accents from around the world. Here East meets West and the result is electric. Soaring skyscrapers rise from the hills and harbor, blending geography and nature with commercial concrete, steel and pulsating neon in a way that brings traditional Chinese culture and Western-style commerce into perfect harmony. The bustling city streets are lined with teeming markets and sophisticated boutiques tucked tightly into any available crevice. Some of the world's best shopping is found in Central, located on Hong Kong Island and only a short ferry ride away.
Mar 25, Monday
Cruising the South China 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.
Mar 26, Tuesday
Xiamen, China »
8 am
6 pm
Looking out over the Taiwan Strait, Xiamen has long been an active port city, used as a base to defend against pirates during the Ming Dynasty and a hub for tea exportation in the 19th century.
Today, Xiamen is the gateway to the culture and scenery of south China, with ancient temples, excellent universities and inviting beaches. A short ferry cruise from Xiamen sits the island of Gulangyu, a favorite retreat for the locals. Should you visit the island, you will likely investigate its sights via electromobile, as there are no gas-powered vehicles on the island. This, along with beautiful vistas and interesting architecture, lends Gulangyu its unique appeal.
Mar 27, Wednesday
Cruising the East China 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.
Mar 28, Thursday
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.
Mar 29, Friday
Shanghai, China (overnight) »
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.
Mar 30, Saturday
Shanghai, China »
5 pm
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.
Mar 31, 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 1, Monday
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 2, Tuesday
Beijing/Xingang, China »
6 am
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.
Beijing/Forbidden City/Tian An Men Square (overnight land program) »
After disembarking your Crystal ship, you will travel to Beijing. Following lunch, 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 3, Wednesday
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 4, Thursday
Beijing/Temple of Heaven »
* 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
Hong Kong
A city of great contrasts, Hong Kong presents a vivid and vibrant feast for the senses. You will find mirrored skyscrapers, luxurious shopping malls and colourful markets vying for your attention. Take a cruise in a Chinese junk for a unique insight into this city’s lifeblood – its bustling harbour. Head to Victoria Peak for unforgettable views of the city. Visit Aberdeen Fishing Village to learn more about one of Hong Kong’s thriving communities, its boat people. Admire elaborate temples and stroll serene Chinese-style gardens. Or simply indulge in some serious retail therapy!
Country - Hong Kong (China) Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from port to Airport - 20kms Currency - Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
Places of Interest Tsim Sha Tsui, The Peak, Hong Kong Disneyland, Victoria Harbour, Lantau Island, Po Lin Monastery
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
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
Map
Crystal Symphony Cabin Info
View Another Cabin:
Cruise line info
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.
