Passage through South and East China Seas

Overview
Dates & Prices
Itinerary
Maps
Ship Information
Highlights

For the well travelled our voyage from Sabah to Japan offers a unique opportunity to visit little known and remote regions that are well away from the usual cruise routes in the Far East. We begin in the Malaysian state of Sabah and head north into the South China Sea for a call into the beautiful Philippine Island of Palawan where we navigate what is reputed to be the longest underground river. Known as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, it is an extraordinary five mile long cave which starts in the limestone hills and ends in the sea.

Also, in Palawan we visit Coron on the Calamianes Islands, another undiscovered paradise which featured in the top twenty destinations of a recent National Geographic listing. From the exquisite white sandy beaches you can snorkel in calm crystalline waters. Our last call in the Philippines will be in the far north for a visit to the central mountains of Northern Luzon.

Continuing in a northerly direction, our next landfall will be the island of Taiwan where we spend time in the capital of Tapei. Thirty years ago the city was an unattractive mess, today it is one of the finest and well run cities in the East and an interesting place to learn more about the Japanese colonial period and the more recent era of Chiang Kai Shek.

Approximately one hundred miles from Taiwan the islands of Japan begin. An archipelago that stretches some 500 miles to the mainland bordered by the East China Sea to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. We will enjoy three days cruising amongst these delightful outpost islands, probably best described as Japan’s Outer Hebrides. Finally, we reach Japan’s mainland and an altogether different experience as we explore some of her great historic cities before reaching Kobe, our last port of call.

Passage through South and East China Seas itinerary:

Day 1 - LONDON TO SANDAKAN

Fly by scheduled flight via Kuala Lumpur.

Day 2 - SANDAKAN, SABAH

Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 3 - SANDAKAN.

Here at the extreme north east corner of Borneo we will visit the famous Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre, home to several hundred orangutans. Orangutans are brought to the sanctuary when their forest homes are cleared for palm oil plantations or as orphans taken from the wild as pets. We hope to gain access to one of the feeding platforms where the recently introduced orangutans come for a meal of bananas, sugar cane and milk. Later, drive to our vessel the MS Caledonian Sky, embark and sail.

Day 4 - SABANG, PALAWAN.

Today, we are greeted by limestone cliffs, coral atolls, mangrove forests, pure white sandy beaches and extensive fringing reefs. In the morning we navigate the subterranean river that is home to long-tailed macaques, blue-naped parrots and other indigenous wildlife. It is a fascinating experience containing as it does a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and is now listed as one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.

Day 5 - CORON.

This morning we enter the spectacular bay to Coron Island. Relatively unknown, this remarkable area will one day be a major tourist resort. But, for now you can enjoy the peace and beauty without the crowds. A tour of the island will include the closely linked seven lagoons and a Zodiac trip around the islands including the Makinit Hot Springs where warm salt water springs are said to sooth tired muscles and soothe arthritis.

Day 6 - SAN FERNANDO FOR BAGUIO.

Today, we leave the sea and drive inland to the mountains of Luzon and the city of Baguio. Unlike anywhere else in the Philippines, this summer retreat from the heat of the lowlands is a gracious city of great charm. Originally colonised by the Spanish and ceded to the U.S. in the early 1900s, the Americans made Baguio their city with much of the architectural work being designed by Daniel H Burnham, the creator of much of Chicago’s ‘One Magnificent Mile’. It is a city of elegant buildings and parks and we will spend the day visiting the City Market, Botanical Gardens and cathedral with lunch at the Camp John Hay, a former U.S. base and now a resort.

Day 7 - AT SEA.

Cross the Luzon Strait into the Taiwan Strait.

Day 8 - TAPEI, TAIWAN.

Our afternoon in this lively and attractive city will start with a visit to the National Palace Museum which is located in the green hills just outside the city. It is a repository of over 600,000 priceless Chinese artefacts and an ideal place to begin our day. Also, on our must do list is the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and Arts Centre and the Lungshan Temple. This is the city’s most atmospheric Taoist temple with curling dragons, wafting incense and burning paper ‘ghost money’.

Day 9 - IRIMOTE, RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN.

Just a short distance from Taiwan begin the Ryukyu Islands that stretch hundreds of miles to the Japanese mainland. They are enchanting and picturesque islands and like all remote islands they have a special spirit and timeless quality. After our time in the big city, Irimote offers a contrasting tranquil day as we explore forests, rivers and wildlife and take the buffalo water taxi to the adjoining island of Yubu-Jima, a delightful tiny island with a botanical garden.

Day 10 - OKINAWA ISLAND.

Land today in the largest of the archipelago, Okinawa. It is probably best known for the long and bloody WWII battle which lasted 82 days and saw losses of over 100,000 Japanese troops and many thousands of US troops. We will learn more about this significant encounter and then step back in time as we hear of the Chinese and Japanese struggles over the centuries for control of the Ryukyu Islands. Later, we can stretch our legs as we walk through the Gangala Valley to visit a working excavation site with human pre-historic remains dating back some 18,000 years.

Day 11 - AT SEA.

Relax as we cruise through the islands to the southern tip of the Japanese mainland.

Day 12 - YAKUSHIMA.

This morning we arrive on the island of Yakushima which became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Its natural wonders will astound you as Yakushima has a particularly diverse flora. We will spend our time here on nature walks including Yakusugi Land, a nature park populated by a number of the island’s ancient cedar trees, such as the Buddhasugi, Futagosugi and Sennensugi. This afternoon we relax at sea.

Day 13 - UWAJIMA.

After a morning at sea we arrive at Uwajima situated deep inside the saw-toothed coast of Uwajima Bay. The city of Uwajima is emerging as the nation’s largest pearl cultivation centre. Learn the process of implanting, harvesting, extracting and sorting pearls on a visit to a pearl farm. We will continue to Sakiiya Square and Dairakuji Temple.

Day 14 - OKAYAMA & KURASHIKI.

This morning we will visit one of Japan’s most famed gardens, Koraku-en. This 17th-century formal garden has 28 acres of walking trails, ponds, plum and cherry trees, and a classic teahouse where we will experience a traditional tea ceremony. After a local lunch we will continue to Kurashiki where we explore the old merchant quarter and its fine 17th century wooden warehouses painted white with traditional black tiles, along a canal framed with weeping willows and filled with koi.

Day 15 - KOBE TO LONDON.

Disembark this morning and transfer to Osaka Kansai Airport for the return scheduled indirect flight to London. Arrive this evening.

Map for Passage through South and East China Seas

Caledonian Sky

The MS Caledonian Sky accommodates a maximum of 114 passengers in 57 spacious outside suites. Many have walk-in wardrobes and some feature tub baths. There will be seven categories of suites and sixteen suites will have private balconies. For those familiar with the MS Island Sky she will feel like a second home, although there are some differences. The dining room, lounge, Lido Deck and bar are all similar. However, the ‘Club’ on the MS Caledonian Sky has been transported to the very top deck. Here, there is a library and bar which leads out on to a lovely forward deck. The ‘Club’ has wonderful views with ceiling to floor windows.

If you like the MS Island Sky, we are sure you will also approve of her sister. And, of course it is important that we offer the very best of facilities. However, equally as important are the staff on board whether they are the vessel’s crew or our own expedition staff. Noble Caledonia’s reputation has been built on providing the very best in all areas. Their crew of 74 not only offer an excellent service they are also noted for their kindness and attention to detail. A well run ship with a warm atmosphere is what we are known for, and it is because most of our crew have been with us for many years that we are able to engender such an atmosphere.

Your Suite
Onboard there are 57 exceptionally spacious and well designed suites. The passenger accommodation is arranged over four decks and all suites have outside views. All feature a sitting room area and some have private balconies. Each affords considerable comfort with en-suite bathroom featuring a country style wash basin, hot towel rack and vanity unit with sink and walk-in shower and/or bath tub.

Facilities in the suites also include walk-in or spacious wardrobes, dressing table with large mirror and stool or desk, mini-fridge, flat screen television, telephone, programmable electronic safe, hairdryer, assorted toiletries, air-conditioning and heating. Bottled water, towelling dressing gowns and slippers are also provided for your comfort.

Your space
The spacious and finely decorated public rooms include a large lounge where daily briefings and talks will be provided throughout the voyage and an elegant bar where a pianist plays periodically throughout the day. The bar also features a 24-hour tea and coffee station. In addition there is the Club Lounge on the Panoramic Deck which features a bar. The onboard travel library is the perfect place to relax with a book and is stocked with reference books pertaining to the places the vessel is visiting along with a selection of games and two computers with internet access. Daily newspapers and magazines are also placed in the library depending on local availability. Outside there is a rear Lido deck where meals are served in warm weather under shade. On the top deck there is a further observation and sun deck with bar service and comfortable deck furniture for sun bathing or relaxing with a book. There is also a small gymnasium onboard and hairdressers with appointments made on request.

Your dining
With only one sitting and a maximum of just over 100 passengers, the quality of cuisine will be of a consistent superior quality. Where possible and when it meets his high standards, our accomplished chef will obtain local produce in markets or buy the catch of the day from a passing fishing boat. Such purchases enhance the well stocked larders and bring a local touch to the varied menus. In the main elegant dining room, breakfast is served buffet-style, with certain items cooked to order and lunch and dinner is à la carte. When weather permits, breakfast, a buffet-style lunch and dinner are also served on deck. To enhance your dining experience even further a selection of wines are included with lunch and dinner. Afternoon tea is served in the lounge and tea and coffee are available 24 hours. With sufficient notice, most diets can be catered for on board.

For your comfort, safety and security
The vessel is equipped with the latest safety, navigation and communications equipment along with roll stabilisers to minimise the ship’s motion. The Captain and officers operate an open-bridge policy that allows passengers onto the bridge at most times with the exception of arrival and departure from port and during times of complicated navigation. Here you can check the ship’s progress by charts and learn more from the officers about your journey. There is also a dedicated channel on your television in your suite showing the routing of the vessel along with technical information and estimated times of arrival and departure from port. On board you will also find a clinic and doctor and a lift that serves all decks. Smoking on board is restricted to outside decks only.

Gratuities
Unlike many other cruise vessels, onboard the MS Caledonian Sky you do not need to worry about tipping staff as we have included them in your holiday price. In addition we tip all their guides and drivers along the way, thereby taking away the hassle of always having to remember to have some small change with you.