Cruise from Singapore to Japan via Hong Kong and Taiwan
In recent years, the variety of cruise destinations and routes offered by the major cruise lines has grown significantly. Due to the demand for new and exotic destinations, more and more ships, including the largest and best-equipped ones, are reaching new destinations such as: Australia, New Zealand, South America, and of course, Asia.
This article describes a ten-night cruise on the Voyager of the Seas ship by the Royal Caribbean company. Unlike cruises on fixed routes throughout the year in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, the routes and destinations of cruises in Asia change depending on the season, and almost every month you will discover a different cruise, with a different duration and with different destinations.
It is important to emphasize that in Asia, some of the countries that are popular cruise destinations, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, are Muslim countries, and the entry of Israelis into them is prohibited. Therefore, when choosing a cruise in Asia, one must choose a route that includes countries friendly to the Israeli tourist, such as: Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In any case, it is important to check whether a visa is required for entry to one of the countries being visited, and if so, to prepare accordingly.
The cruise described, named "10-Night Exotic Asia Cruise," took place in the spring, in April, the most successful time to visit Japan, both thanks to the pleasant spring weather and thanks to the famous cherry blossom.
It is highly recommended to combine a visit of at least 3 days (preferably more) in amazing Singapore and to also stay 3 more days in Tokyo, or if you are interested in reaching other destinations in Japan, even much beyond that.
It is important to emphasize that there are no direct flights to Singapore and Japan, but you can fly with a stopover in Asia or Europe. It is especially recommended to fly with the wonderful Korean Airlines and take advantage of the stopover on the way there or back in Seoul for a trip of at least 2-3 days in this vibrant, special, and diverse city.
The ship departs from the Singapore port located near the modern and touristy Marina Bay area, which is full of hotels, luxury shopping centers, casinos, and entertainment. The most convenient and cheapest way is to take a taxi from the hotel in the Marina Bay area to the port. It is a short, ten-minute ride. The passenger terminal at the port is modern and advanced.
Recommended hotels in this area in Singapore are:
Marina Bay Sands
Or:
Pan Pacific Singapore
Cheaper:
The Residence at Singapore Recreation Club
Ship route: Singapore, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung and Keelung in Taiwan, Nagasaki in Japan, and ending at Yokohama port in Japan near Tokyo.
Map of the trip route
Information about the ship
Voyager of the Seas was considered the largest cruise ship in the world when its construction was completed in 1999. It was the first ship in the world with a huge indoor shopping center called "Royal Promenade," where pubs, bars, a coffee shop, shops, and entertainment are located, where colorful parades and "street performances" are held.
In addition to the regular performances in standard halls, impressive ice skating shows are held in it. The ship, which weighs 138,000 tons, underwent a major renovation in 2014. Since 2015, the amazing and modern Quantum of the Seas of Royal Caribbean also regularly sails in Asia, and from the end of 2016, occasionally also its twin sister Ovation of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has many activities and a selection of party games with the participation of passengers, both poolside and in the various halls.
The company also has an extensive and diverse program of activities for children and youth called: Adventure Ocean, which takes place in large, designed, and attraction-packed children and youth rooms. The ship has a full-size basketball court, mini golf, a rollerblading track, an ice skating rink, a climbing wall, and plenty of other attractions.
Cruise destinations:
♦ Hong Kong
The ship arrives in the late evening at the port of Hong Kong and stays there until the next day in the afternoon.
This is a safe and friendly city, its residents speak fluent English.
You can book here from the Viator website a day trip to the interesting attractions on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, where they will also pick you up and return you to the cruise port:
The biggest attraction is entering the port by ship in the dark. For a whole hour, you will sail in a breathtaking view of the illuminated skyscrapers during the entry to the new port located in the place where the old airport of Hong Kong used to be. The terminal name: Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. It is recommended to watch the ship's entry into the port from one of the highest decks.
From the ship, there are free shuttles to shopping centers (which are already closed late at night); traveling to them will waste your time, especially on the first evening when your time is short. To save time, it is better to take a taxi from the ship to the destination you want in Kowloon, for example, to the vibrant "Ladies' Market" Ladies' Market, address: Tung Choi Street, Kowloon, which is in Mong Kok and is open until a late hour.
Or: to the night market of Temple Street Night Market, address: Kansu Street and Jordan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The market is open every day from 14:00 to 23:00.
The main attractions in Hong Kong are:
Trip to the Kowloon area (closer to the ship):
A walking tour on Nathan Road, the main street of Kowloon leading to the bay, where there are many shops, including electronics stores, restaurants, and more.
Afterwards, a walking tour along the promenade of Victoria Harbour, Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade in the Kowloon district, starting at the city's historical clock tower, Clock Tower, located near the main Star Ferry pier
And continues on a long and vibrant promenade that also includes the "Avenue of Stars," a beautiful promenade where, similar to Hollywood, there are stars marking the names of famous local actors and their statues. This is a vibrant promenade full of street performances and various events.
Trip to Hong Kong Island:
Going up in a steep funicular to Victoria Peak, a spectacular viewpoint, the highest on Hong Kong Island, 550 meters high, from which you can overlook the island and Kowloon. The view seen through the windows of the tram is spectacular, and the buildings look as if they are leaning on their side. To enjoy the view optimally, it is better to sit in the front and on the right side (on the way up). At the peak, there is a short circular route that allows many viewpoints over the area.
At the peak, there are also two modern shopping centers and an impressively designed tower called The Peak Tower. Address: Mid Levels, Hong Kong. Afterwards, a walking tour on the "Mid-Levels Escalator" - the quite bourgeois "Mid-Levels" area is located high above downtown Hong Kong. To try to reduce traffic on the roads, the longest outdoor escalator in the world was established in 1993, connecting the areas. It has 20 sections of moving stairs. The downward traffic starts at 6:00 and ends at 10:20 in the morning. The upward traffic starts at 10:20 and ends at midnight.
♦ Kaohsiung, Taiwan
♦ Guided tours also suitable for cruise ship passengers in Kaohsiung:
For booking from the VIATOR website, includes pickup and drop-off at the cruise port:
Because the ship anchors in Kaohsiung for a relatively short time, to see the best the large city has to offer, you can also take a tour on behalf of the ship (recommended to book in advance!) named: Half Day Kaohsiung City Tour. The duration of the tour is about four and a half hours, and it includes five diverse stops that will allow you to get an impression of the main attractions of the city:
The first and most spectacular of them all: Lotus Lake. A place with over a hundred temples near a lake with lotus flowers. The special and most visited temples are: Dragon Tiger Tower, two towers with a dragon and a tiger at their base.
From there, continue to the impressive and large Confucius Temple. Near the temple is an authentic local market (for locals).
The third stop is at a modern and polished stadium with 40,000 seats. Near the entrance to the stadium, where a short walking tour is conducted, stands a statue of a lake.
The fourth stop is on Cijin Island Cijin Island. You reach it by a ten-minute ferry ride. It is a long island, with many souvenir shops and restaurants and beaches (not particularly exciting, but popular among the locals for whom this is the most accessible and closest beach).
After free time to spend on the bustling island, continue to the last stop near the "Love River" (Ai He), which is named so because of a pair of lovers who committed suicide in the river because their families opposed the match. Its previous name was "Takao," which means bamboo. The city's name was also previously "Takao."
♦ Taipei, Taiwan
The ship anchors in the port of Keelung, located about 25 km (about half an hour drive) from the city of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, a huge, modern, and cosmopolitan city influenced by ancient customs and still preserving ancient tradition and culture.
You can take a comprehensive tour to Taipei of about eight hours on behalf of the ship (in a large group) or book a private tour to Taipei which will also be cheaper and includes pickup and drop-off at the port in Keelung:
♦ Booking tours from Keelung for cruise ship passengers from the Viator website:
♦ Recommended tours within the city of Taipei - for purchase from the Viator website:
In Taipei, it is recommended to visit the tallest tower in the country, "Taipei 101," whose official name is: "Taipei Financial Center." The building has 101 floors and rises to a height of 509 meters. It is considered one of the ten most beautiful skyscrapers in the world.
From there, continue to the monument built like a palace in memory of the leader Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – which was established in memory of Chiang Kai-shek, who was previously president of the Republic of China. At the site, there is a huge central structure surrounded by other buildings, courtyards, and gardens. An interesting changing of the guard ceremony is held at the place. You should also visit a temple named Martyrs' Shrine, where you will also watch an impressive display of changing of the guard.
You should also take a guided tour of the National Palace Museum
which includes the most impressive collection in the world of historical and artistic Chinese items. Most of the exhibits were smuggled to Taiwan during the civil war in China in 1949 between the Communists and the Nationalists.
You can combine a high-quality and rich lunch at the Grand Hotel Taipei, a particularly luxurious hotel designed in the style and colors of Chinese palaces and temples.
♦ Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki, a city of almost half a million residents in southern Japan, became famous following the atomic bomb dropped on it on August 9, 1945, by the United States (three days after the first bomb dropped on Hiroshima) and led to Japan's surrender and the end of World War II.
The ship anchors in the city center, not far from the two most famous and relevant tourist sites for visitors to the city: The Atomic Bomb Museum and Nagasaki Peace Park, a memorial and commemoration park dedicated to world peace, whose construction was completed about ten years after the bomb was dropped.
The first museum was established at the place as early as 1945, shortly after the war ended. The current museum opened at the site in April 1996, on the occasion of the jubilee of the bomb's dropping. The museum presents the history of World War II, the history of nuclear weapon development, and documents the horrific damage caused by the bombing.
History, museum, and temple lovers (who are not interested in atomic bombs) can join a day trip (lasting about seven hours) on behalf of the ship named: Nagasaki Full Day Tour
The tour also includes a traditional meal in Japanese Bento boxes at a hotel on a mountain with a view of the port.
The highlight of this tour is a cable car ride to the peak of "Mount Inasa" for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
The cruise ends at Yokohama port, located about 40 km south of Tokyo. The most convenient and fastest way to get to Tokyo is by train.
Recommended hotels in the center of Tokyo:
It is recommended to stay in the Shinjuku district, which is the main entertainment and shopping area in the city. It reminds one of Times Square in Manhattan with all its lights and advertisements. It has many modern and impressive skyscrapers, from some of which you can have a successful view of Tokyo. The variety of accommodation options, restaurants, clubs, and shops is huge. From this central district, public transportation is convenient and fast to all other districts in the city.
Best Western Shinjuku Astina Hotel Tokyo - a four-star level hotel offering rich breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, laundry, and most importantly - spacious rooms (not at all taken for granted in Tokyo...) and well-equipped. Central location near all means of transportation. Very reasonable prices!
Hilton Tokyo Hotel – a luxury five-star level hotel with an indoor pool, gym, and a view of Shinjuku Central and the skyscrapers of Shinjuku. On the roof of the hotel is a tennis court. Modern, equipped, and pampering rooms. The hotel is directly connected to the Tochomae Subway Station
Nishitetsu Inn Shinjuku – a three-star level hotel in a central location, 2 minutes' walk from the Nishi-Shinjuku subway station. The hotel has a restaurant, comfortable and modern rooms with free internet. In every room, there is a refrigerator and a facility for making tea and coffee.