We had taken this cruise in the fall Singapore to Beijing, and loved it so much that we had to come back for a second go round. Both times, we did a princess tour in Beijing and Xian arrived two days before the start of the tours The pre cruise on this trip was great. Had an excellent guide. We did skip some of the tours to get in more shopping in Beijing. We used the subway to get around, very easy to do.

The DIAMOND PRINCESS has to be the best of the princess ship, very professional operated. Food was good, could always find something to eat, I'm a picky eater. Ports: Busan took the free shuttle into the centre of the town. Used the subway, to get around, though harder to do the Beijing. Nagasaski, paid for an all day tram ticket 500 yen. Went to a three temples, and the gardens. Shanghai, took the free shuttle in to the city. Used the subway to get around, easy to use, English, and Chinese. Saw the Jade Buddah Temple and the Ye Gardens, also walked in the old town, and along the Bund. Hong Kong, Again took the free shuttle into the town, Walked thru the Ocean Centre and boarded the Star Ferry. Walked to the Tram to Victoria's Peak. Rode the tram up walked around and rode the tram back down. Took the subway to Ladies Market and the walked around Nathan road. Nha Trang, went with friend, we got a van and saw the major sites and did some shopping the central market. Ho Chi Minh City. Used the Princess shuttle not free to go into the city. Again we went shopping a the market area. Ride into the city is about 1 and half hours. Laem Chaban, (Bangkok) Took a private tour that saw the major sites, good. Since we did not sail until 12 o clock, took the free Princess shuttle to Pattaya to look around. Singapore, we stayed on for another day. Since we had been here for two days in the fall, we had seen the major sites. Did ride the Singapore Flyer, bigger than the London Eye, rode the subway around here, again easy to do. Also went to the night at the Zoo, used the subway to get there also. With a little work on the internet you can print out maps of the cities and how to use the subway and their maps. Loved this so much that we are doing it again in the fall. Yes, we cruise other place too.