10 Night Cruise sailing from Beijing to Kobe aboard Crystal Symphony.

The 50,000-ton, 940-guest Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious and luxurious cruise ships at sea. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, a full-service fitness facility, a Caesars Palace at Sea® casino, a lavish spa, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, in addition to exquisitely-appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

From the moment you step into the brilliant atrium of Crystal Plaza, you'll sense the relaxed elegance and attention to detail called the Crystal Experience. It is as if a weight has lifted from your shoulders. You feel yourself at ease, with room to breathe, stretch and relax.

Take a look around at the lavish Crystal Dining Room with its vista of the sea; the elegant Galaxy Lounge showroom; sunlit Palm Court, furnished in charming white wicker like a scene from a Somerset Maughan novel. Along the marble walkway of the Avenue of the Stars, you'll find a glittering gallery of handsome shops. And outside, generous teak decks encircle expansive pools and Jacuzzis. No other ships of this size offer so much space for each guest on board.

The richness of each detail reflects the highest standards of craftsmanship. Lustrous polished marble, the glow of rare wood paneling, sparkling Murano Glass and Austrian crystal chandeliers, supple Italian leather, muted silks and custom English carpets grace our interiors, echoing the ambiance of a stately mansion. Refreshing floral bouquets delight your eye. Soft piano music plays somewhere nearby, mingled with sounds of laughter and delight as old friends meet and new acquaintances become friends.

Highlights of this cruise:

Beijing
Tianjin is the gateway to Beijing, the cultural and political heart of modern and historic China. For centuries, Beijing has played a major role in China's imperial rule. It was Khubilai Khan, a grandson of Genghis Khan, who reunified the Chinese territories and transferred the capital to Beijing during the 13th century. Beijing was not only a lasting imperial city, but also a thriving trading city that served as the easternmost terminus of the caravan routes of the Silk Road. Today, Beijing remains as it was centuries ago-a great center of power and commerce. It is a bustling metropolis of soaring high-rises, gaudy billboards, teeming highways and a growing international stature. Although a number of Beijing's historical sites are slowly being preserved, many of the city's ancient neighborhoods have been razed in recent years to make way for glitzy commercial skyscrapers and apartment blocks. Nevertheless, Khubilai Khan's imperial spirit remains in the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.

Shanghai
Shanghai, located just inside the mouth of the great Yangtze River, marks the point where Asia's longest and most important river completes its 3,400-mile journey to the Pacific. The city's unique location is the source of its existence and has determined what it is today. Until 1842, Shanghai was merely a tiny fishing village. Following the first Opium War, Shanghai became a treaty port, which opened the city to foreign influence and resulted in the development of numerous British, French and American colonial settlements within the city and along the Yangtze River. Today, Shanghai is the center of China's economic resurgence and its skyline attests to this development in the form of towering skyscrapers, brightly lit commercial high-rises and the unsettling Oriental Pearl Tower. A testimony to Shanghai's colonial era, stately European buildings in art deco style line the Bund, the city's spacious waterfront promenade. An endless flotilla of sampans edge the Huangpu River, dividing old and new Shanghai. Beyond the rush of the city, serene ponds and gardens offer a gentle respite. Must-see sights include the Jade Buddha Temple and tranquil Yu Garden, impressive monuments to China's history and style. Inland lies Suzhou, with its majestic Grand Canal and classical gardens, as well as equally significant Hangzhou, terminus of the Grand Canal and the center of China's legendary tea industry.

Nagasaki
Nagasaki is a thriving city on Kyushu Island's northwestern shores. As Japan's only access to the West, it flourished during a period of national isolation in the 16th century and continues to be influenced by the ideas and technology of other cultures. Must-see attractions include Japan's oldest gothic-style wooden church and the inspirational Peace Park. Also of particular note is the stately Glover Mansion, an impressive hideaway which was the legendary setting of Puccini's opera, Madame Butterfly. A harmonious blend of ancient and modern influences will be yours to enjoy during your sojourn in Nagasaki.

Kobe
Cosmopolitan Kobe is a modern, bustling city of more than one and a half million people. Throughout its long history, it has functioned as a hub of international trade and exchange.

It contains a remarkable mix of architectural styles, including Moslem mosques and Russian Orthodox churches tucked between traditional Japanese buildings. To the north stands majestic Mount Rokko, the highest peak in the Rokko Range. A cable car ride to its summit reveals unsurpassed views of Kobe Harbor and Awaji.

Kobe is also our gateway to the ancient cities of Kyoto and Nara, the cultural fountainheads of Classical Japan.