E-mail a friendShip: Spirit of Oceanus
Itinerary: Hidden Treasures of Japan + Kyoto and Nara
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Osaka / Kyoto |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | Kyoto |
| Day 3 : | Sightseeing in Kyoto |
| Day 4 : | Sightseeing in Nara / Kobe |
| Day 5 : | Kobe |
| Day 6 : | Okayama / Kurashiki |
| Day 7 : | Miyajima / Hiroshima |
| Day 8 : | Day at Sea |
| Day 9 : | Yakushima |
| Day 10 : | Kagoshima |
| Day 11 : | Nagasaki |
| Day 12 : | Ulsan / Kyongju |
| Day 13 : | Hagi |
| Day 14 : | Takamatsu / Cruising the Inland Sea |
| Day 15 : | Kobe |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Superior | Majestic | Premium | Classic | Explorer | Grand Titan | Owner | ||
| 15 | Oct 8, 2008 Oct 18, 2008 Oct 28, 2008 |
$7,349 | $7,849 | $8,199 | $8,799 | $10,099 | $11,049 | $15,799 |
| Cost includes $415 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. | ||||||||
| 15 | Mar 14, 2009 Mar 24, 2009 Apr 3, 2009 Apr 13, 2009 Sep 25, 2009 Oct 5, 2009 Oct 15, 2009 Oct 25, 2009 |
$7,949 | $8,449 | $8,849 | $9,449 | $10,849 | $11,849 | $16,749 |
| The cost of your cruise includes $630 per person which covers taxes/port charges/fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Prices are per person, double-occupancy, U.S. dollars. Single/Triple rates available upon request where applicable. Mar 14, 2009 - Book by Jul 11 '08 and save 600 Mar 24, 2009 - Book by Jul 11 '08 and save 600 Apr 3, 2009 - Book by Jul 11 '08 and save 600 Apr 13, 2009 - Book by Jul 11 '08 and save 600 Sep 25, 2009 - Book by Jan 16 '09 and save 600 Oct 5, 2009 - Book by Jan 16 '09 and save 600 Oct 15, 2009 - Book by Jan 16 '09 and save 600 Oct 25, 2009 - Book by Jan 16 '09 and save 600 | ||||||||
| Destinations : Asia, Japan Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography |
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Japan is a nation of history, culture, and beauty unlike any other. Over the course of 12 days explore delightful destinations like Hagi, Takamatsu, Nagasaki and Hiroshima as you cruise round trip from Kobe. Aboard the all-suite Spirit of Oceanus you’ll experience beautiful gardens, shrines, castle, islands, parks and art on your voyage of a lifetime.
Surrounded by the islands of Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku, and dotted with more than 3,000 other islands, the Inland Sea is one of Japan’s scenic gems, often compared to the Aegean Sea in its beauty. The Inland Sea is linked to the Sea of Japan by a narrow channel. The shores of the Inland Sea are heavily populated and part of Japan’s most important industrial area. The main industries are steel production, ship construction, oil refining and oil-derived productions. The Inland Sea is 280 miles long and from 9 to 34 miles wide. The water is fairly shallow with the average depth at 122 feet and the greatest depth of 344 feet. It is also known for its moderate climate and relatively low rainfall. Over 500 species of marine life are known to live here including the horseshoe crab, the finless porpoise, and the great white shark. The Inland Sea is also famous for its periodic red tides, caused by dense grouping of a certain type of phytoplankton.
Day 1 : Osaka / Kyoto
Arrive in Osaka, and transfer to Kyoto. Check into the deluxe Kyoto Hotel Okura.
Day 2 : Kyoto
Spend the day exploring what the Japanese call Nihon no Furasato, meaning "The Heart of Japan." The capital of Japan for more than 11 centuries, it remains a living museum of Japan's artistic and cultural heritage. Visit Kiyomizu Temple, dedicated to the 11-faced Buddhist deity, Kannon. Built on stilts, this UNESCO World heritage site offers an outstanding view of the city. Stone steps lead down to the Otowa no taki (Sound of Feathers) Waterfall. Pilgrims often drink the water which is said to cure all illnesses. BLD
Day 3 : Sightseeing in Kyoto
The Ryoanji (Peaceful Dragon) Temple, founded 1450 is world famous for its stone Zen garden. The Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) is named for the gold leaf on Japanese lacquer that covers the second and third floors. Kinkakuji functions as a Zen Shariden, that is, it houses sacred relics of Buddha. Nijo Castle has thick outer walls, a moat, hidden rooms where the shogun's samurai could observe visitors, and corridors constructed with "nightingale floors" that squeak to warn of anyone approaching. BL
Day 4 : Sightseeing in Nara / Kobe
Todaiji Temple is famous for its mighty bronze Buddha, the Daibutsu - the largest bronze statue in the world. The seated giant weighs 550 tons and incorporates 290 pounds of gold. A huge pillar to the right of the statue is thought to open the path to enlightenment to those who can crawl through the hole in its base. Horyuji Temple, founded in 607, is the oldest intact temple complex in Japan, and houses the world's oldest wooden buildings. This UNESCO World Heritage Site holds more than 2,300 items considered of historical importance, including a vast collection of Buddhist art. Transfer to Kobe and check into your hotel, the deluxe Hotel Okura Kobe. BL
Day 5 : Kobe
Enjoy historic attractions of this port city, one of the first to begin accepting foreign traders following Japan’s two and a half centuries of isolation. The highlight of your visit: a trip to spectacular white Himeji Castle. Board the Spirit of Oceanus, and sail in the early evening. BD
Day 6 : Okayama / Kurashiki
Indulge yourself in Zen perfection as you tour Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s three most famous. Visit the Ohara Museum, which hosts an eclectic mix of classical European, Chinese, and Japanese folk art. At Ohashi House, tour the home of wealthy merchants. And stroll the charming lanes of Kurashiki, along canals crisscrossed by humpbacked stone bridges and bordered by willow trees. BLD
Day 7 : Miyajima / Hiroshima
Itsukushima is one of the most important Shinto shrines. View the famous red torii gates as we anchor just offshore, and tour the shrine with a Shinto priest. In Hiroshima, a city now devoted to peace, tour the Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Peace Memorial Museum. BLD
Day 8 : Day at Sea
Leisurely cruise through Saikai National Park and the Kujukushima Islands (literally the "Ninety-Nine Islands") off the west coast of Kyushu. This beautiful, and rarely explored part of Japan offers many beautiful sights. BLD
Day 9 : Yakushima
Yakushima Island became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, and its natural wonders will astound you. Yakushima has a particularly diverse flora, with some 1,900 species and subspecies, including ancient specimens of the sugi (Japanese cedar). It also contains a remnant of a warm-temperate ancient forest that is unique in this region. We spend our time here on nature walks and taking in the sublime Japanese beauty. BLD
Day 10 : Kagoshima
Kagoshima is Kyushu's southernmost, major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city is often compared with its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree lined streets, and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius. Kagoshima is best known for its Satsuma ware and Silk. BLD
Day 11 : Nagasaki
In this second city destroyed by an A-bomb in World War II, tour the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden (built by an enterprising Scotsman who helped overthrow the shogunate). BLD
Day 12 : Ulsan / Kyongju
Step into the world of Korea’s Shilla dynasty in the ruins of Kyongju. A thousand years ago, this open-air museum was their capital, sparkling with palaces and gardens. Today, the ruins and burial mounds bring to life memories of a 900-year rule that lasted from the time of Julius Caesar to Charlemagne. BLD
Day 13 : Hagi
Japan’s revolution began here in Jokamachi¹s old samurai residential quarter, where you¹ll tour a samurai’s home. Yoshida Shrine is a monument to one of the last of the samurai, killed by the shogun for attempting to ensure Japan¹s survival by opening up to the West. Also visit Daisho Temple, the resting place of the two first Mori daimyo and all the even-numbered daimyo (odd-numbered daimyo were laid to rest on the other side of the Matsumoto river). BLD
Day 14 : Takamatsu / Cruising the Inland Sea
Ritsurin Koen was designed at the bequest of an early 17th century feudal lord, who envisioned a fantastic garden set against the beautiful backdrop of Mt. Shiun. Shikokumura Village gives you a glimpse into peasant life in the Edo period. Spend the afternoon cruising the Inland Sea. Designated a national park, the Inland Sea is an area of great natural beauty with its emerald green waters dotted with thousands of islands. BLD
Day 15 : Kobe
After a short tour of Kobe, transfer to Kansai International Airport for your return flight home.
-Please note an additional fuel surcharge of $15 per person per night on ship. See individual itineraries for totals.
-Single and Triple Cabin Rates available upon request. Single supplement approx. 1.9 times the double occupancy rate.
Ship Description: Spirit of Oceanus
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Spirit of Oceanus
One of our most spacious and luxurious ocean going vessels. Equipped with stabilizers, the Spirit of Oceanus opens up whole new horizons for our style of up-close, casual small-ship cruising. In Alaska, that means the Gulf of Alaska and the remote vastness of the Aleutian Islands and the Bering Sea.
Our flagship hosts just 120 guests in comfortable outside suites, each with a picture window or porthole. The 15 suites on the Sun and Sports Decks feature private teak balconies, the first in our fleet. Other cabin amenities unique to the Spirit of Oceanus include a walk-in closet or wardrobe, a large marble bathroom, and a lounge area. Each suite also features an in-room safe and satellite telephone access. Other features:
- English-speaking multinational crew
- Elevator access to all passenger decks
- Two Spacious Lounges
- Game room/library
- Satellite phone, email and Internet capability
- All suites welcome you with a fresh fruit bowl, bathrobes, and spa bath amenities
- All suites can be configured as either two twins or a king-size bed, and feature private facilities (sink, shower and toilet)
- Doctor and clinic
- Open dining featuring continental and regional cuisine
- Complete bar service
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Superior (Suites 250, 331) Located on the Oceanus and Main decks, Superior Suites average 215 square feet in size and have three portholes (Main Deck) or picture windows (Oceanus Deck). Twin or king beds. |
Majestic 231 sq. ft with porth(Suites 252-262, 329) These 240 square foot suites are located on the Main Deck and Oceanus Deck. They feature a minimum of 2 portholes and full-length wardrobes. Twin or king beds. Suite 329 on the Oceanus Deck has a picture window. |
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Premium (Cabins 414-428) These suites are located on the Club Deck and feature a walk-in closet and a large picture window opening onto an outside walkway. They average 235 square feet in size. |
Classic (Cabins 330, 332-348) Classic Suites located on the Oceanus Deck feature a picture window right in the hull and have two wardrobes. Classic Suites average 250 square feet. Twin or king beds. |
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Explorer (Cabins 505-512) Explorer Suites on the Bridge Deck feature a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony and a walk-in closet. Explorer Suites are 277 square feet in size. Twin or king beds. |
Grand Titan (Cabins 601-604) These magnificent suites are atop the ship on the Sun Deck. They feature a sliding glass door leading to a private balcony, a spacious wardrobe, and a large picture window. They are 353 square feet in size. Twin or king beds. |
OwnerSpacious living room, large bathroom & whirlpool tub, one king bed, fully stocked complimentary bar, refrigerator, TV/VCR, stereo system and large sliding glass doors leading to a roomy private sun deck. Convertible sleeper sofa for triple accommodations. |
