What to Expect

COSTA CLASSICA

Elegant cabins, attention to detail and warm and relaxing colors make Costa Classica a very comfortable ship, and a passenger to staff ratio of just two to one ensures superb service. The theater, ballroom, and other meeting spaces are ideal for ship board lectures and entertainment. Several food and beverage outlets, both indoors and on deck provide dining options.

This sailing is specifically dedicated to viewing the eclipse. While the plan is to navigate to the coordinates for the longest duration, state-of-the-art weather instrumentation, and the ship’s speed, make it possible to change plans if necessary to intersect the path of totality anywhere along a 1,500-mile range, almost assuring clear skies. There is plenty of open deck space for everyone on board to have ample viewing space. Furthermore, the ship’s size, 722 feet in length, with a beam of 102 feet, equipped with hydraulic "fin" stabilizers, makes this a very stable viewing platform.

A shore excursion is included in Cheju, South Korea, a scenic resort island off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, noted for its numerous volcanoes and spectacular coastline. An additional shore excursion is specially arranged in Kagoshima, Japan, focusing on Iso Garden, the enormous grounds of a 17th-century villa, and a walk through a bamboo grove for exquisite views of the bay and Mt. Sakurajima, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

BEIJING

Tour the Forbidden City, the seat of power for the past two dynasties. This is a vast complex of ornately-roofed pavilions, courtyards, and opulent golden halls. Also see Tiananmen Square, the largest plaza in the world, site of Chairman Mao's tomb and the Great Hall of the People. After lunch, proceed to Tianjin and board the Costa Classica.

JAPAN

Visit lovely Nara’s Todaiji Temple ("Great Eastern Temple"), one of Japan's most famous temples housing its largest Buddha statue (Daibutsu). Also see the world's largest wooden building, originally built in 792 AD, and Nara Park, the Kasuga Taisha shrine and the Horyuji Temple.

The highlights of Kyoto include the simple serenity of the temple Ryoanji’s Garden of Emptiness, perhaps the world’s finest Zen garden. Experience the opulence of the famous gold-leafed Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion) and 17th-century Nijo Castle and its gardens. Make a special visit to the ancient Saihoji Temple, with more than 120 types of moss, resembling a beautiful green carpet, and visit Nanzenji, perhaps the most important Zen temple in the world. Finally, see Sanjusangendo, a 12th-century temple with an incredible display of gilt carvings. Thirty three bays house 1001 statues of Kannon-Bosatsu, covered in gold leaf.

Ed Turner’s special connections have opened Nobeyama National Astronomical Observatory exclusively for the Princeton group. Travel by Shinkansen, or bullet train and mountain express to beautiful Kiyosato Kogen, spend the night in a charming mountain inn, and explore a part of Japan few Americans see, including the spectacular Shosenkyo Gorge, where a raging torrent of water courses between steep rock walls.

In Tokyo visit the Imperial Palace, 7th-century Asakusa Kannon Temple, and the extensive Edo-Tokyo Museum, followed by an excursion to the trendy areas of Roppongi Hills and Omotesando.