China Cruise from Hong Kong to Istanbul — 53 Days

52 nights · China · Departs Hong Kong (China) · Visiting Halong Bay, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Saigon, Laem Chabang, Koh Samui Island Thailand, Singapore, Klang, Penang Island Malaysia, Langkawi Island Malaysia, Phuket, Galle, Colombo, Cochin, Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, Fujairah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Salalah, Jeddah, Aqaba, Safaga, Suez Canal, Port Said, Limassol, Antalya, Rhodes Island, Kusadasi, Istanbul · Aboard Oceania Cruises on the Oceania Nautica

Oceania Cruises logo
Cruise lineOceania Cruises
ShipOceania Nautica
Duration52 nights
Port calls32
Departures1 sailings
From fare$18,549 per person
Year built2000
Guests803
Cabins349
Crew372
Length181 m
Beam25 m
Cruising speed18.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Hong Kong, China

    Hong Kong is best approached from the water, where the Star Ferry crosses Victoria Harbour beneath a skyline of towers. Ride the Peak Tram for sweeping views of the harbour and surrounding islands. In Central, colonial landmarks stand beside glass towers; across the harbour, Kowloon’s markets and temples offer a different pace. Cantonese kitchens range from dim sum teahouses to polished dining rooms. Leave time for the harbour after dark, when the city’s lights come into focus.

  2. Day 3

    Halong Bay, Vietnam

    Hạ Long opens onto a singular seascape: thousands of limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Tonkin. From the modern cruise port, boat trips lead into sheltered coves and dramatic grottoes. Some itineraries visit a floating fishing village, where families once made their living from the bay. Back ashore, Bai Chay has cafés and seafood restaurants. Choose a longer cruise for the best perspective: the karsts are most striking from the water.

  3. Day 5

    Da Nang, Vietnam

    Da Nang is Vietnam’s most appealing blend of city energy, broad beaches and easy access to remarkable heritage. The Museum of Cham Sculpture offers an exceptional introduction to the ancient kingdom of Champa. The Marble Mountains rise above the coast; Hoi An’s lantern-lit old town is about 30 kilometres south. Choose a beach day, a museum visit or an outing into central Vietnam’s layered past.

  4. Day 7

    Nha Trang, Vietnam

    Nha Trang is Vietnam’s celebrated seaside city, set around a sweeping bay of turquoise water and pale sand. Beyond the beach, visit the centuries-old Po Nagar Cham Towers. At Long Son Pagoda, a climb brings broad views across the city. Fresh seafood, lively markets and boat trips to nearby islands make an easy day here. Choose a swim, a bowl of noodle soup, or a quiet hour watching fishing boats cross the bay.

  5. Day 8

    Saigon, Vietnam

    Ho Chi Minh City rewards curious travellers with a vivid collision of old Saigon and modern Vietnam. French-colonial landmarks, busy markets and motorbike-filled streets make the centre a study in contrasts. The War Remnants Museum offers a sobering account of the conflict, while local cafés invite a slower pause. For a deeper look at Vietnam’s wartime history, the Cu Chi tunnels make a memorable excursion beyond the city.

  6. Day 11

    Laem Chabang, Thailand

    Bangkok makes its first impression in motion: river boats, temple roofs and traffic threading between modern towers. At the Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha and ceremonial halls reveal the city’s royal heritage. Nearby, Wat Pho holds the famous Reclining Buddha; a Chao Phraya boat ride offers a quieter view of old neighborhoods. Come hungry: markets and street kitchens serve fragrant curries, grilled seafood and mango with sticky rice. Allow time for heat and distance; Bangkok rewards an unhurried visit.

  7. Day 13

    Koh Samui Island Thailand, Thailand

    Ko Samui rewards those who look beyond its beach resorts. Thailand’s Gulf island pairs coconut groves and fishing villages with polished dining and quiet coves. From Nathon, explore the island’s temples, including the gold-toned Big Buddha, or follow the coast to Chaweng and Lamai. Boat trips reach Ang Thong Marine Park, where limestone islands rise above clear water. Choose a driver for the day; distances and heat make leisurely exploration easier.

  8. Day 15

    Singapore, Singapore

    Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.

  9. Day 16

    Klang, Malaysia

    Port Klang is Malaysia’s busiest seaport and the practical gateway to Kuala Lumpur, about 40 kilometres inland. Stay nearby to explore Klang’s royal history and lively Little India. Follow the scent of bak kut teh, the peppery pork-and-herb soup that made the town famous. Or head to Kuala Lumpur for grand mosques, markets and city views; allow extra time for traffic.

  10. Day 17

    Penang Island Malaysia, Malaysia

    Penang is Malaysia at its most layered, where Malay, Chinese, Indian and colonial influences meet on a compact island. In George Town, follow UNESCO-listed streets past painted shophouses, temples and historic clan jetties. Order char kway teow or assam laksa; the island’s hawker food is reason enough to linger. When the heat rises, ride the funicular up Penang Hill for cooler air and sweeping views across the strait. Here, the pleasures are close together, yet never feel hurried.

  11. Day 18

    Langkawi Island Malaysia, Malaysia

    Langkawi makes a rewarding port of call, with beaches, rainforest and striking geology nearby. Its UNESCO Global Geopark is known for ancient rock formations, limestone karsts and mangrove forests. Ride the cable car up Gunung Mat Cincang for views across the archipelago and the Andaman Sea. By boat, explore Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, where tidal waterways thread between cliffs and mangrove roots. Pantai Cenang offers a broad beach and cafés, while duty-free shops provide a convenient final stop.

  12. Day 19

    Phuket, Thailand

    Phuket rewards a little planning: Thailand’s largest island combines lively beaches with a compact, characterful old town. In Phuket Town, pastel Sino-Portuguese shophouses and cafés offer a quieter counterpoint to the resort coast. Visit Wat Chalong, the island’s best-known Buddhist temple, or take a boat into the limestone scenery of Phang Nga Bay. Choose your day carefully: distances are substantial, and traffic can make short journeys slow.

  13. Day 23

    Galle

    Galle’s UNESCO-listed Fort is best explored on foot, where coral-stone ramparts frame Dutch-era streets and the Indian Ocean. Founded by the Portuguese and developed by the Dutch, the fortified town still feels distinct from modern Sri Lanka. Visit the lighthouse, browse galleries and cafés, then pause on the walls as fishing boats cross the harbour. Beyond the fort, the southern coast offers beaches and cinnamon country, while Galle’s layered past gives every stroll substance.

  14. Day 24

    Colombo

    Colombo is Sri Lanka’s commercial capital, set between the Indian Ocean and the Kelani River. Its streets move from colonial facades and Buddhist temples to modern cafés, markets, and leafy residential avenues. Visit Gangaramaya Temple, browse the Pettah bazaar, or follow the Galle Face promenade at sunset. Colombo rewards curiosity, but traffic matters; choose a few neighborhoods for your day.

  15. Day 26

    Cochin, India

    Kochi rewards curious travellers with a rare blend of living history and coastal life. Its harbour has drawn traders for centuries, leaving Portuguese, Dutch and British traces across Fort Kochi. Watch Chinese fishing nets rise against the Arabian Sea, then explore Mattancherry Palace and its celebrated murals. Nearby Jew Town offers spice shops and the Paradesi Synagogue, dating to 1568. Allow time for a ferry ride: water remains the most revealing way to understand this working port.

  16. Day 27

    Mangalore, India

    Mangalore—officially Mangaluru—is a working port city on Karnataka’s Arabian Sea coast, shaped by trade and the monsoon. Look beyond the waterfront to tiled-roof homes, busy markets, and the vivid interiors of St Aloysius Chapel. Kadri Manjunath Temple offers a glimpse of regional devotion, while nearby beaches open onto the Arabian Sea. Make time for seafood: coconut, tamarind, and red chilli define much of coastal Tulu cooking.

  17. Day 28

    Mormugao, India

    Your first view of Goa may be Mormugao’s working harbour, but the coast beyond quickly changes the picture. Vasco da Gama sits beside the port, while Panaji and the churches of Old Goa lie inland. South Goa’s long beaches offer a gentler counterpoint to the region’s Portuguese and Indian heritage. Explore a UNESCO-listed church or browse a spice market. Then linger over seafood beside the Arabian Sea.

  18. Day 29

    Mumbai, India

    Mumbai greets you at full volume: ambitious, layered and unmistakably alive. From the Gateway of India, the waterfront opens onto a city shaped by trade, migration and cinema. Colonial façades stand beside markets, temples and modern towers. Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO-listed railway landmark, then wander Colaba’s busy lanes. Irani cafés and coastal seafood offer a delicious introduction to Mumbai’s distinctive food culture.

  19. Day 32

    Fujairah, UAE

    Fujairah is the United Arab Emirates’ eastern gateway, set between the Gulf of Oman and the rugged Hajar Mountains. Here, the country’s familiar desert image gives way to rocky wadis, coastal roads and clear-water beaches. Fujairah Fort offers a concise introduction to the emirate’s past. Nearby, Al Bidya Mosque is widely regarded as the oldest mosque in the UAE. Choose a coastal swim, a mountain drive or a seafood lunch, and let the day unfold at a gentler pace.

  20. Day 33

    Dubai, UAE

    Dubai makes a striking first impression, but its older quarters reward a slower look. Visit Al Fahidi’s wind-tower lanes, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to see the city’s trading heritage. Elsewhere, the Burj Khalifa rises above Downtown, while the Gold and Spice souks bring color and commerce to Deira. Choose your day deliberately: Dubai’s distances are considerable, and summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing demanding.

  21. Day 34

    Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Abu Dhabi pairs the confidence of a modern capital with the measured pace of the Gulf. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, white marble, intricate mosaics and vast courtyards make a visit memorable. The Louvre Abu Dhabi brings world art beneath Jean Nouvel’s striking, latticed dome. Along the Corniche, a waterfront promenade opens views across the city’s islands and calm blue water.

  22. Day 37

    Salalah, Oman

    Salalah reveals a different side of Oman, shaped by monsoon, mountains and the ancient frankincense trade. From June to September, the khareef brings mist and rain to the Dhofar mountains, turning their slopes green. At Al Baleed, UNESCO-listed ruins tell the story of frankincense commerce; the souq brings its aromatic resin into the present. Set aside time for the coastal road or a drive inland; the landscape changes quickly beyond the port.

  23. Day 41

    Jeddah

    Jeddah meets the Red Sea with the confidence of a city built on trade. Beyond its modern waterfront, Al-Balad preserves coral-stone merchants’ houses and narrow lanes shaped by centuries of commerce. Look for carved wooden balconies, lively souks and the old city’s UNESCO-listed architecture. This is a Red Sea port with a past still visible at street level.

  24. Day 43

    Aqaba, Jordan

    Jordan’s only seaport, Aqaba opens onto the Red Sea and its coral reefs. It also sits within reach of Petra’s carved façades and Wadi Rum’s sandstone valleys. Snorkel or dive among vivid marine life, then return to explore the Ottoman-era fort and waterfront souks. A compact centre makes it easy to combine a waterfront stroll with the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, beside the fort.

  25. Day 44

    Safaga, Egypt

    Safaga is a working Red Sea port, with little to detain you at the quayside. Its value is access to Luxor, roughly 220 kilometres inland. At Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut’s temple, ancient Thebes becomes tangible. Prefer the coast? Safaga’s clear waters invite diving and snorkelling, while steady winds attract water-sports enthusiasts. Choose your day before leaving the ship; long road journeys make improvisation costly.

  26. Day 46

    Suez Canal, Egypt

    Few waterways alter a voyage as decisively as the Suez Canal. Cutting through Egypt’s desert, this 120-mile route links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, avoiding the long passage around Africa. Opened in 1869, the canal has no locks, and ships cross it in convoy. From deck, watch banks of sand, passing freighters, and the changing light over Great Bitter Lake. Ismailia offers a glimpse of the canal’s history, while Port Said and Suez mark its northern and southern gateways.

  27. Day 47

    Port Said, Egypt

    Port Said stands at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal, shaped by one of the world’s great shipping routes. Watch ships pass from the waterfront, then take the short ferry across the canal to Port Fouad. Founded during the canal’s construction in 1859, Port Said retains broad boulevards, old villas and a distinctly maritime character. Look for the historic lighthouse and local cafés, or browse the city’s markets before returning to the quay.

  28. Day 49

    Limassol, Cyprus

    Limassol puts Cyprus’s layered history within easy reach of a lively Mediterranean waterfront. Begin in the old town, where narrow streets lead to the medieval castle and its museum. Local tradition links the city to Richard the Lionheart’s 1191 marriage to Berengaria. Along the seafront, cafés and the modern marina reveal Limassol’s contemporary side. Beyond town, Kourion’s Greco-Roman theatre opens to sweeping coastal views.

  29. Day 50

    Antalya, Turkey

    Antalya brings the Turkish Riviera within reach. At Kaleiçi, Roman walls and Ottoman houses frame lanes descending to the old harbor. Pass through Hadrian’s Gate, built in AD 130. The Antalya Museum gives the region’s ancient cities a compelling context. Beyond the center, Düden Waterfalls tumble toward the Mediterranean, while the Taurus Mountains invite a scenic drive inland. Choose a table above the harbor at sunset, and Antalya’s layered history comes with the view.

  30. Day 51

    Rhodes Island, Greece

    Rhodes pairs a fortified medieval capital with a sunlit Aegean coast. The UNESCO-listed Old Town stands just beyond the harbour, enclosed by formidable walls built by the Knights of St John. Walk its cobbled lanes to the Palace of the Grand Master, then pause over coffee in a shaded square. Beyond the city, beaches and whitewashed Lindos reward a longer outing; an ancient acropolis crowns the bay.

  31. Day 52

    Kusadasi, Turkey

    Kuşadası puts the Aegean within reach, with a lively waterfront and one of Turkey’s most celebrated ancient cities nearby. Ephesus lies about 20 kilometres inland, where marble avenues lead to the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre. Back in town, browse the bazaar, then follow the causeway to Pigeon Island and its historic fortress. The harbour-facing promenade offers an easy place to linger over the Aegean light.

  32. Day 53

    Istanbul, Turkey

    Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.

Oceania Nautica Cruises

Published August 4, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard


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