Flying to Beijing - Optional, low cost, group air transportation to and from the cruise is available. Most people will depart home this day and arrive in Beijing the next morning.

Tianjin (Beijing), China - Tianjin is the major port City for Beijing and is about 60 miles east of downtown Beijing. Passengers should plan on arriving at Beijing's Capital Airport (PEK) by 8 am (last coach leaves for the ship at 10 am) or Tianjin International Airport (TSN) by 10 am (last coach leaves for the ship at 12 noon). Passengers should plan on being onboard by 2:00 pm.

Ship departs 5:00 pm

At Sea - A series of lectures about the region, the eclipse and astronomy will begin today. Enrichment Program Details

Cheju, South Korea - Cheju is the major port for the South Korean Island of Cheju-Do (sometimes referred to as Jeju-do). Cheju's temperate, subtropical, climate, natural scenery, and beaches make it a popular tourist destination. The Island is located off the southern tip of South Korea and is about 100 miles long and 20 miles wide.

Arrive 8:00 am - depart 2:00 pm Cheju shore excursions

Kagoshima, Japan - Kagoshima is Kyushu's southernmost, major city and the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. The city is often compared with its Italian sister city Naples due to a similarly mild climate, palm tree lined streets, relatively hot tempered inhabitants and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius.

Arrive 8:00 am - depart 2:00 pm Kagoshima shore excursions

At Sea - The ship continues to sail for our rendezvous, at maximum eclipse, with the longest total eclipse of the Century. Our lecture series continues today. At mid day we will conduct a "dress rehearsal" to help you prepare for tomorrow's grand event. We will sail at the same course speed and time of day so you will know where the eclipse will be with relationship to your setup.

Eclipse Day! - We will, likely, be the only group, in the world, to see this eclipse at greatest eclipse! 6 Minutes 39.4 seconds. For fun we're going to use the forward motion of the ship along the center line of the eclipse to push the length of totality to 6 minutes 40 seconds. Why? 'cause it's fun and we can!

Contact Times For The Eclipse - local time
First Contact eclipse begins	Second Contact totality begins	Third Contact totality ends	Fourth Contact eclipe ends
12h03m06s	13h26m40s	13h33m20s	14h54m10s

The geographic coordinates for our target viewing location are 25° 17' 21'' North by 142° 00' 00'' East. At mid eclipse the sun altitude will be 84.5° the sun azimuth 156.1°. The path width at greatest eclipse will be 258.2 km.

At Sea - The lecture series continues today as we sail to Kobe, Japan. Included is an eclipse de-briefing where each of us will have an opportunity to share his or her experience.

Kobe, Japan - We arrive in Kobe for two full days to explore Japan! An historic port and distinct city in its own right, KOBE, is the capital of Hyogo-ken

An optional overnight excursion by high speed train to Tokyo and an over night excursion to Kyoto are available as are various half day and full days tours in and around the Kobe area. Details about the shore excursions offered by Costa Cruises will be available in January.

Ship arrives 8:00am Kobe shore excursions

Kobe, Japan - This is our final day in Japan.

Ship departs 6:00pm Kobe shore excursions

At Sea - The lecture series continues.

At Sea - The lecture series concludes and we prepare for our final two days in China.

Tianjin (Beijing), China - We arrive back in Tianjin at 12 noon today and we overnight on the ship. Whether you call it Beijing or Peking, it's the cultural and political center of China. Optional Excursions will be offered this afternoon. These include a tour of Tianjin, China's third largest city, a tour to Beijing and the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square or a tour of the Great Wall of China.

Arrive 12:00 noon - overnight on ship Tianjin shore excursions

Tianjin (Beijing), China - Today you disembark the ship and begin your trip back home.

Disembarkation begins at 7:00 am

Those wanting more can opt for a reasonably priced three, four, six and seven day tour extensions in China. These are offered before and after the main cruise except for the three day tour, which is only available at the end of the cruise. The three and four day tours feature Beijing and the Great Wall of China. The six day program adds two days in Shanghai and the seven day is the ultimate program that includes Beijing, the Great Wall, Shanghai and Xian (Terra Cotta Warriors).

These are fully escorted tours with english speaking guides. Price includes hotels, coach and air transportation, all entrance fees, most meals. See Tours web page for details. These programs have been developed exclusively for us by Sita World Tours.