THE FAR EAST FROM END TO END ABOARD SAPPHIRE PRINCESS with Qatar Airlines, 18 Nights

We meet our guide at Istanbul New Airport 4 hours before departure and, after check-in, fly to Singapore via Doha. Our Istanbul–Doha flight QR246 departs at 20:10.

After landing in Doha at 00:10 local time, we have a short connection before departing for Tokyo at 02:15 on flight QR806. We land at Tokyo’s Narita Airport at 17:55 local time and transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, guests who wish may join Part 1 of the optional Tokyo City Tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost. Our first stop is Meiji Shrine, one of Japan’s most visited shrines. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, greatly revered as the founder of modern Japan, and his wife Shōken, the shrine is reached by walking along the sacred path through the vast Yoyogi Park. During our visit, you may make a wish as the Japanese do. Our next stop is Takeshita Street, one of Tokyo’s most striking streets. Brought to life by the distinctive styles and outfits of young Japanese people, this street also attracts the attention of the fashion world. Do not forget to photograph your own image on the live screens at the entrance. We walk from this lively street to the famous Omotesando shopping avenue and board our coach. Next, we visit the world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and the statue of the loyal dog Hachiko. We record videos as we cross and take souvenir photographs with Hachiko. After free time in Ginza, Tokyo’s most beautiful avenue, we transfer to our hotel.

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out and transfer to our ship. Guests who wish may join Part 2 of the optional Tokyo City Tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost. We begin with a coach journey to Asakusa, another of Tokyo’s fascinating districts and one of its oldest settlements. After visiting Sensōji Temple, an essential stop on any Tokyo itinerary, we enjoy a short period of free time on the historic Nakamise shopping street in front of it. Here, you can discover street food and buy a few gifts from the approximately 90 shops along this 250-metre street. We then travel by coach to the Kaminarimon area, followed by a visit to Hama Rhyu, an elegant feudal lord’s garden dating from the Edo period. After the tour, we transfer to our ship.

NOTE: Guests who do not wish to join the tour will be transferred to the ship after checking out of the hotel.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Kamikaze Museum & Samurai Village & Sanganen Japanese Garden Tour arranged by their guide at an additional cost. Our first stop on this moving tour is the Chiran Peace Museum, which tells the story of the kamikaze pilots and their aircraft during World War II. Knowing they were embarking on their final missions, these pilots went to their deaths without hesitation for their country, while the Americans were unable to disclose their actions to the public until the war ended. We then visit the Samurai Village. Afterwards, we enjoy a pleasant walk through Senganen, regarded as one of the country’s finest traditional Japanese gardens, gaining a deeper appreciation of this beautiful art. Within the garden, we visit the residence cherished by generations of the Shimadzu family. We enjoy the Japanese gardens and distinctive views of Kagoshima Bay and Sakurajima volcano, and learn about the lifestyle of Prince Shimadzu Tadayoshi. We discover how the Shimadzu family welcomed distinguished guests from Japan and overseas at Sengan-en during that period. Sengan-en and the Shoko Shuseikan Museum were inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 2015. After free time on Kagoshima’s main street, our tour ends at the port.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Naha City Tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost.

With Okinawa’s warm breeze brushing your face, step into Japan’s southernmost cultural capital amid tropical air. Colourful signs, friendly people and the scent of the ocean welcome you to Naha! Once the heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shurijo Castle reveals an elegant blend of Chinese and Japanese architecture. As you pass through the palace gates, history surrounds you, echoing like the beat of drums. Take in panoramic views of Naha from the castle terrace and lose yourself between the blue sea and the sky. Kokusai Dōri is the heart and rhythm of Naha. Melodies from street musicians, the aroma of takoyaki, colourful shops… Here, you can shop for souvenirs and sample traditional Okinawan food. Perched atop cliffs above the sea, Naminoue Shrine is Naha’s spiritual symbol. The sound of the waves greets you as you pass through its red torii gate. Dedicated to the god of the sea, this sacred site offers both tranquillity and wonderful photo opportunities. At the end of our tour, we transfer to our ship. Dinner and overnight on board.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost. After the tour, we begin our journey back to the ship.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Hong Kong City & Outlet Tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost. Hong Kong is an important meeting point between East and West and was handed over by Britain to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997. Today, it is one of the world’s leading financial and trading centres. During our tour, we visit Victoria Peak, also known as The Peak, to enjoy magnificent views and photograph Hong Kong’s skyscrapers from above. We then see architecture built according to Feng Shui principles at Repulse Bay and visit a Chinese temple dedicated to traditional prosperity and the god of seafarers. After seeing the historic Clock Tower and Peninsula Hotel in Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui district, along with the famous Heritage 1881, we enjoy free time for shopping and dining on Nathan Road, the city’s main thoroughfare known as the “golden mile.” Guests who wish may also take a souvenir photograph with the statue of Bruce Lee, the world-famous kung fu master from Hong Kong. At Citygate Outlet, you will have the opportunity to purchase discounted outlet products at very attractive prices from Burberry, Lacoste, Nike, Adidas, Columbia, The North Face, Samsonite, Michael Kors, Clark's, Armani, Skechers and many other brands. At the end of the tour, we depart for the port.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Hue Imperial City Tour arranged by our guide at an additional cost. We begin by visiting the tombs of Emperor Minh Mang and Emperor Khai Dinh. In the Imperial Capital, sights include the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, the 9 Dynastic Urns, the 9 Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City. Although these royal sites were completely destroyed during the Vietnam War, walking among their ruins will be an unforgettable experience. Finally, we visit the Royal Museum, which displays royal bronze works, ceramics and robes. After our tour, we return to the ship. Dinner and overnight on board.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast on board, guests who wish may join the optional Ho Chi Minh City Tour organised by our guide at an additional charge. In the morning, we board our coach and travel to Saigon, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Our sights include Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Colonial Post Office, City Hall, the Opera House and Nguyen Hue Boulevard. At the end of the tour, we enjoy free time for shopping, with international brands available, before returning to our ship.

We spend the entire day at sea, a perfect opportunity to enjoy this magnificent ship. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner at the buffet restaurant, offering a variety of dishes freshly prepared by dedicated chefs to suit every palate, or at your reserved seat in the à la carte restaurant. During the day, you can take yoga and fitness classes, play outdoor tennis, volleyball and basketball, or use the gym equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment, including strength-training machines. After dinner, you can spend time in the ship's lively bars and cafés listening to live music, attend Broadway-style musical theatre shows or try your luck at the casino. Dinner and overnight on board.

Our ship will dock at the port of Singapore at 07.00. After breakfast, we complete disembarkation formalities. Transfer to Singapore Airport in our private vehicle waiting at the port. As our flight departs late at night, guests who wish may join the optional “Singapore City Tour & Gardens By The Bay Tour” arranged by our guide. Are you ready to discover the Lion City? Singapore, Southeast Asia’s luxurious financial hub at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, is one of the world’s few city-states. On today’s tour, we will have the opportunity to get to know the city and discover its award-winning architectural projects. During our tour, we will explore Gardens By The Bay, one of the world’s largest and most awarded botanical parks. We will then hear the legend behind the city’s name from our guide and stop at Merlion Park, a symbol of the Lion City, for coffee and photographs against spectacular views. The famous orchid garden, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is another stop on our itinerary. We continue to Chinatown, one of the city’s oldest districts, where we visit the temples before enjoying free time for shopping. At the end of our tour, we transfer to the airport. After check-in and passport control, we wait for our flight departing after midnight.

NOTE: As this tour takes place on the day we disembark and travel to the airport, guests who do not wish to join will be transferred directly to the airport after disembarking in the morning.

At 03:15 local time, we depart for Istanbul via Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR945. Arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 12:10 local time. End of our tour.