Nautica Brings Six Japanese Cities to Life with a Spring Cruise Welcoming the
Sakura Festival
Hong Kong, 26 February 2018 – Every spring Japan bursts into hues of pink with the arrival of the Cherry Blossom season, or Sakura as it’s known in Japan, with visitors from Asia and elsewhere flocking to Japan to experience Mother Nature in full-bloom. In line with the Cherry Blossom Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary-focused cruise line, offers a magnificent 18-day ‘Far East Reflections’ voyage aboard Nautica. Guests will be able to enjoy the best of Japan in spring and be transported in time and space across Asia’s history and culture, whilst also enjoying its culinary highlights both on and off the ship.
Departing from Shanghai on the 6th March, Nautica will commence an exciting journey along the Orient; from taking in the sights on a night time tour of the vibrant Tsim Sha Tsui district in Hong Kong, to sipping traditional high tea at the historic village of Chiufen in Taipei, before going on to explore six Japanese cities - discovering ancient shrines and revered temples along the way.
Destination Highlights: Japan
Discover the remote and picturesque island of Ishigaki, admired for its lush mountains, beautiful beaches and magnificent coral reef from island viewpoints. Those feeling adventurous can head further afield by taking an excursion to the tiny island of Taketomi-jima, where visitors are transported back in time to a bucolic red-tile-roofed town with ox carts still at play.
Home to the imposing Shuri Castle which belonged to the Ryukyu royal family for 400 years, Okinawa is the ideal place to reflect on the region’s history, from the ancient dynasties at the reconstructed Ryukyu village to more recent events at the WWII memorials.
Guests can also visit the cultural cross roads that is Nagasaki. While much of Japan was closed off to the rest of the world during the Edo period, Nagaski was subject to Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and American influences. Guests will be able to indulge in the cities’ eclectic background or venture further out to the natural wonders of Shimabara Peninsula with its volcanoes and hot springs.
As the site where first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan in 1945, Hiroshima makes for a poignant port call, including visits to the skeletal A-Bomb Dome, the Peace Memorial Park and Museum and the statue dedicated to the children who died. There is also opportunity to stroll through the beautifully landscaped Hiroshima Gardens, visit the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle or journey to the sacred island of Miyajima to see the extraordinary Itsukushima Shrine.
Guests can also visit the breath taking temples and shrines of Japan's old imperial capital, Kyoto, or explore ancient Nara, the cradle of Japanese arts, literature and crafts, with its magnificent shrines and temples that predate Kyoto's. They may stroll through Nara Park, famed for its deer and impressive Kasuga Grand Shrine, then travel on to Osaka and its famed castle. In Kobe, they visit historic Himeji Castle, a huge edifice built entirely of wood and tile.
With the cherry blossom expected to bloom a couple of days early this year, guests will arrive in Tokyo at peak Sakura time, where that may indulge in the centuries-old practise of Hanami - the traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers, or explore the dizzying cityscapes.
Shipboard Highlights
The acclaimed Nautica has undergone a multimillion-dollar transformation to create a virtually new ship that is both sleek and elegantly charming. Her decks are resplendent in the finest teak, custom stone and tile work, and her lounges, suites and staterooms boast luxurious, neo-classical furnishings. Nautica offers every luxury you may expect on board one of Oceania’s stylish ships. She features four unique, open-seating restaurants, a world-class fitness center and spa, eight lounges and bars, a casino and 342 lavish suites and luxurious staterooms, nearly 70% of which feature private verandas.
Voyage Details
Far East Reflections – 18 days from Shanghai to Tokyo visiting Xiamen, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Taipei, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo. Departs 6 March. Fares from SG$3,915 per guest.
Alternatively guests can look to join Homage to the Orient – 18 days from Tokyo to Bangkok visiting, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Taipei, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Da Nang, Saigon, Bangkok. Departs 24 March. Fares from SG$3,996 per guest.
To book an award-winning cruise with Oceania, call +852 2165 6000 (English, Cantonese and Mandarin assistance), contact your preferred travel professional or visit oceaniacruises.com
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About Oceania Cruises
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2018, Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s six intimate and luxurious ships which carry only 684 or 1,250 guests offer an unrivaled vacation experience featuring the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly crafted voyages aboard designer-inspired, intimate ships call on more than 450 ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific and epic Around The World Voyages that range from 180 to 200 days.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Alisa Chen / Annette Wong | Sarah Arts / Lynn Koh |
GHC Asia Hong Kong | GHC Asia Singapore |
Phone: +852 2810 0532 | +65 67238123 |
Email: | |
[email protected] | [email protected] |
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