Sapphire Princess
January 9, 2027

Singapore offers docking at Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Travelers explore Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park. Excursions visit Sentosa Island. Local markets sell Hainanese chicken rice. The peak season, November to March, brings milder weather for city tours. Photography captures futuristic skylines and Singapore Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes laksa, a Singaporean favorite. Souvenirs, like orchid crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peranakan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Singapore’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural heritage, making Singapore an engaging destination for exploration.

Cam Ranh, Vietnam, docks at Cam Ranh Port, 15 kilometers from Nha Trang, with shuttles for 20-minute rides. Nha Trang, population 400,000, features Po Nagar Cham Towers from the 8th century. Travelers visit Vinpearl Island for cable car rides. Local markets sell dried squid. Excursions to Ba Ho Waterfall, 30 minutes north, offer swimming. Peak season November to April; taxis 100,000-200,000 VND. Dining includes bún chả cá at beach stalls. Souvenirs feature pearl jewelry.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to limestone karsts. Travelers kayak through emerald waters and caves. Excursions visit floating villages. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, October to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures karst vistas and sunsets. Dining onboard includes pho, a Vietnamese staple. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover UNESCO heritage. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Waterproof shoes enhance kayaking. Ha Long Bay’s surreal beauty offers a stunning Vietnamese stop, blending natural wonders with cultural charm.

Returning to Ha Long Bay — see Day 5 above for port info.

Returning to Ha Long Bay — see Day 5 above for port info.

Hong Kong offers docking at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Travelers explore Victoria Peak and Temple Street Market. Excursions visit Lantau Island’s Big Buddha. Local markets sell dim sum. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour vistas. Dining onboard includes char siu, a Hong Kong favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cantonese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Hong Kong’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural markets, making Hong Kong an engaging destination.

Keelung (Taipei), Taiwan, offers docking at Keelung Port with excursions to Taipei. Travelers explore Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial. Excursions visit Yehliu’s rock formations. Local markets sell stinky tofu. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures urban skylines and Taiwan Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes xiaolongbao, a Taiwanese favorite. Souvenirs, like oolong tea, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Formosan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Keelung’s urban gateway offers a vibrant Taiwanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and coastal beauty, making Keelung an engaging destination.

Hirara, Miyako Island, Japan, has docking at Hirara Port. Travelers explore Sunayama Beach’s white sands. Excursions visit Yabiji Reef for snorkeling. Local markets sell shima-zake. The peak season, April to June, brings warm weather. Photography captures turquoise waters and coral reefs. Dining onboard includes goya champuru, an Okinawan dish. Souvenirs, like coral crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Okinawan culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Hirara’s tropical beauty offers a serene Japanese stop, blending island relaxation with marine wonders.

Nagasaki, Japan, offers docking at Nagasaki Port. Travelers explore the Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Museum. Excursions visit Glover Garden’s colonial mansions. Local markets sell champon noodles. The peak season, March to May, brings cherry blossoms and mild weather. Photography captures historic sites and Dejima Island views. Dining onboard includes sara udon, a Nagasaki dish. Souvenirs, like castella cakes, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Nagasaki’s WWII history. Light layers suit the temperate climate, while comfortable shoes enhance park walks. Nagasaki’s blend of history and resilience offers a poignant Japanese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of somber memorials, colonial heritage, and scenic harbors, making Nagasaki an engaging destination for exploring Japan’s cultural and historical depth on Kyushu Island.

Tolanaro (Fort Dauphin), Madagascar, offers docking at Tolanaro Port. Travelers explore Nahampoana Reserve and Libanona Beach. Excursions include lemur-watching at Berenty Reserve. Local markets sell zebu curry. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures rainforests and Indian Ocean vistas. Dining onboard includes romazava, a Malagasy favorite. Souvenirs, like raffia crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Tsitongambarika history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while sturdy shoes enhance reserve walks. Tolanaro’s natural allure offers a vibrant Malagasy stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of unique wildlife and scenic beaches, making Tolanaro an engaging destination for exploration.