Spring 2026, 25 Night cruise on the Coral Princess
(Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan)
We booked with Costco after Lynn saw multiple Thailand and Vietnam stops on this cruise (on our bucket list) during a time period we were open. It is also shortly after my birthday and during Lynn's, so here is our present to each other. This cruise also had multiple Japan stops which Lynn and I enjoyed on our 2024 Asia cruise.
The cruise was $10,044 with us booking an ID inside room guarantee (you get that level or better). We had to give a $800 deposit, but it is refundable until 120 days before (Nov. 20,2025). We get $755 Digital Costco Shop Card after sailing, due to booking with Costco travel. It was $5,200 more for a balcony, so we didn't think it was worth it to us, and we have a lot of other cruises booked we need to pay for. Lynn will also still be elite status, due to our purchased upgrade on our 53 day cruise, so free laundry and discount on excursions for her. We paid final payment of $9,244.40 on 10-23-25. Inside rooms were sold out then and balcony would have been around $19,448. We got lucky finding out eight days before sailing that we were assigned room C604 a premium balcony room. Ship tips will be extra ($36 per night) and excursions, etc. will be extra.
Airfares, Parking, SFO visit: March 15 Miami to Singapore and returning April 21 from Tokyo
Going we fly United Airlines to Singapore from Miami, so a one hour drive to our parking. May 29, 2025 we booked United for $1,559 for both of us, going from Miami 7:23am March 15th and arriving in Singapore at 7:00am March 17th. The flights are 6h 36m to SFO (a 11 hr 36 min. layover, this is so we only had two legs versus three since American changed out reservation to three legs), then at 10:35 pm we have a 16h 34 min to Singapore (Currently United's second longest nonstop flight). So, 24 hours in air, 11.5 hours break between the flights.
With our long layover in San Francisco Lynn planned to meet and get picked up by our niece Jessica. We spent a nice afternoon together touring Muir Weeds in Sausalito, California and stopping for a good lunch and desert later.
I watched rates on the app Hopper and when it said to book our return flight on Delta on May 26th, 2025 we booked Tokyo-Haneda Airport to Atlanta to Miami on Delta for $1,451.62 for both of us. We leave Tokyo at 3:15pm on April 21 and arrive in Atlanta at 2:50 pm (still April 21st due to time changes), then a 4 hr 6 min. layover and at 6:56pm we have a 1hr 51 min flight to Miami arriving at 8:47 pm. Total flight time 18 hrs. 32 min. Seat selection, plane change if needed, 2 bags per person included).
Lynn found a good parking rate and reserved on May 30, 2025 throught Global Airport Parking LLC, from 1pm (after flight change Pullman said no problem to come in at 4am), March 15, 2026 through 11pm, April 21, 2026. Was called One Switch MIA Airport Parking (now shows the Pullman Hotel, 5800 Waterford District Dr
Miami, FL 33126) offers off-site airport parking with complimentary shuttles to Miami International Airport (MIA).
Parking was $205.53 and she paid in full.
5 nights hotel in Singapore (before the cruise) and 5 nights after the cruise in Yokohama
January 10, 2025, Lynn thought it would be nice to go to Singapore early and stay late in Yokohama, to explore the cities and area. She used our Princess promotion we bought for the Nov. 2025 South America cruise (two 2-day, two 5-day vouchers for 4 or 5 star hotels that you only pay the tax).
We booked five days ahead in Singapore starting 3 pm, March 17 - March 22, noon, at Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium (SG Clean), an IHG Hotel, 317 Outram Road, Singapore, SG ($242.90). It was a nice hotel, with a large room and very convenient to the subway system, which was easy to figure out and get around on.
We also booked five days after, starting 3 pm, April 16 - April 21, 11 am in Sotetsu Fresa Inn Yokohama Higashiguchi
5-10 Kinko-cho, Yokohama, Kanagawa, JP ($45.76). This hotel room was the smallest I have ever been in and made me question staying there five days. We made it work, and it was very close to the Yokohama train station, which made travel to other areas, very accessible. The train system was very confusiing to us, trying to figure out what train line to take, where to enter that line, where to stand for the multiple trains that came, but it worked as Lynn asked at the help areas and other passengers that knew the system. Everyone was very helpful.
Coral Princess for March 22 - April 16, 2026
The Coral Princess holds 1,970 passengers, 900 crew, we booked a guaranteed inside room catagory ID. Guarantee means that catory of room or better but you don't know your room until close to sailing. This will be a smaller ships for us as we have mostly cruised on ships from 4,004 to 1,380 passengers, crews from 550 to 1,735.
Insurance
Lynn purchased Go Ready Travel Insurance from AEGIS for $396 which goes for one year starting March 30th, 2025 - March 30, 2026, so we will need to add another year. It covers items like: Trip Interruption, Airline Ticket Change Fee, Baggage Delay, Baggage / Personal Effects, Accidental Death, Emergency Accident and Emergency Sickness Medical Expense, Emergency Medical Evacuation, etc. Each with limits from $200 - $50,000.
Lynn purchased another year for $396 with AEGIS travel (Go
Ready Annual/Multi-Trip Primary Plan by Aegis General) on 2-11-26 to start March 14, 2026 (to cover this trip) - March 14, 2027.
Singapore
We flew March 17th (16th in Singapore) landing at Singapore Changi Airport and stayed 5 nights in Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, our Norwegian promotion booked hotel through March 22nd. March March 22nd cruise departs at 11 pm.
March 17, after checking in and showering we explored a little by taking the subway and then walking around and checking out stores, a couple temples and having lunch under the Buddha Tooth Relc temple. Then back to our room to rest up by 3pm after our long travel day and exploring.
March 18, we went to the Gardens by the Bay an award-winning horticultural destination known for its stunning Supertrees, the immersive Cloud Forest, and the Flower Dome, one of the world's largest greenhouses. We were up early due to the 13 hour time difference and watched sunrise, then walked around a lot. We had lunches there a couple times as it had a good variety. We saw a couple Malayan water monitor (Varanus salvator), a cousin of the Indonesia's Komodo dragon!
March 19, we went to the Marina Bay Waterfront. This area featuring the iconic Merlion statue, the impressive Esplanade, and the Marina Bay Sands complex with its famous Sands Skypark Observation Deck. We toured the uniquely shaped Apple store on the water, had a good lunch and later watched the Spectra light and water show.
March 20, we toured the Singapore's botanical garden and Orchid Garden. A very nice orchid garden with more orchids together than I have ever seen before.
March 21, we went to Singapore's Chinatown.
A lively atmosphere of Singapore's historic Chinatown, exploring its bustling streets, diverse food options, and traditional Chinese goods and temples. We explored and had lunch at a vegan restaurant Lynn found.
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Ko Samui, Thailand
Wednesday, March 25, 7am - 4pm.
We took a private tour (taxi) for $180 plus and a $20 tip. First stop we went to the Samui Elephant Sanctuary, our entry fee was $57.52 to feed the elephants and I bought a shirt ($8), hat ($9) and Lynn got post cards ($3) and an elephant pants ($9.60). Next stop we went to see the Big Buddha temple (Wat Phra Yai), then to Kwan Yin (18 armed Buddhist avatar), visited the Wat Plai Laem temple and the Laughing Buddha. Lastly we both had lunch at Krao Chao Baan Samui and shared a beer for $19,61 then stopped at a waterfall on our way back to the ship.
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Laem Chabang, Thailand
Thursday, March 26, 8am - Friday, March 27, 4pm.
Day 1 we booked a driver in a private car at the port, it was 7277 baht or $224 for 10 hours going to Bongkok (a 2 hour drive each way). He first took us for a canal cruise (through locks and canals) which cost us an additional $100, then we went to the Grand Palace temple (500 baht or $31). We stopped for lunch at a vegan restaurant our driver found for Lynn ($20) and finally went to the Wat Pho temple (300 baht or $20). Our driver Attuyuth dropped us off at these sights and hung in parking lots waiting for us. It was a very hot day and we could done more but were exhausted.
On day 2 we hired the same driver for 6 hours ($92). We first stopped at the Big Bee Farm Lynn bought some bee propulus and crackers. I got an ice cream. Our second stop was a gemstone mining company mini tour ride and trying to sell us something but got our unscathed. Than a drive by the beach and on to the main attraction for the day, Sanctuary Of Truth, Pattaya, Thailand. They have been hand carving the Sanctuary for 45 years. Lastly a tip for our driver.
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Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
Sunday, March 29,7am - 6pm.
We decided we did not want to take a two hour ride to Ho Chi Minh City, so we took a free shuttle to Go! Ba Rai mall. We walked outside through a local market with live and dried seafood, fruits, vegetables cloths, etc. Lynn bought a shirt, pajamas for Clara and facial mask. I bought a bottle of wine and disposable razors. $60 equaled 1.58 million dong.
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Nha Trang, Vietnam
Monday, March 30, 9am - 6pm.
We hired a private driver for $100. First we went to Long Son Pagoda:
Climbing to this serene Buddhist pagoda for panoramic views of the city and to see its impressive 24-meter-tall white Buddha statue. From there we went to Mountain Church which Was just OK in my (Jeff's) opinion. Then on to a local market, Trang Tam Thruong Mai Nha Trang, where I bought a t-shirt for 120,000 dong, 1 pair of underwear for 30 dong (since laundry was taking a while), Lynn bought a dress for 100,000 dong and some Pokiman cards for the grandkids. We then went to Ponagar Tower, ancient ruins and then stopped for a good lunch for 415,000 dong ($16). $1 = 26,338 dong.
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Cruising in Halong Bay
to Cai Lan, Vietnam
Wednesday, April 1, 8am - Thursday, April 2, 7am.
On our way in through Halong Bay it was very nice, seeing tons of the small islands. Lynn booked us a Viator tour for $158 for both of us. As we waited for our group to gather, I tried an egg coffee which was recommended by our nephew Josh. They whip egg yokes for a long time, add some cream and mix it with coffee, it was good. We boarded the boat and went to a oyster farm to see their operation. Next we went to Sung Sot Cave and walked up, through and down from the cave. We then had an included lunch on the boat and headed to Luon Cave where we payed extra for a speed boat ride and then took the included bamboo boat under an overhang and saw monkeys playing on the shoreline. Last stop was Titov Isle where we hanged at the beach instead of climbing up for another lookout, then relaxed on the boat ride back through the scenic islands. Thursday April 2, when we left it was very foggy so I did not take more pictures or videos.
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Da Nang, Vietnam
Friday, April 3, 7am - 5pm.
We took a Princess excursion from 8am-4pm for $99 each. The excursion first stopped at Cho Han market, then a marble carving company selling their carvings, then went to Hoi An to see a silk company showing how the silkworms grow and selling their cloths. Next our group walked around Hoi An visiting a temple and a old home that showed the height of floods over the years. We also saw the bridge that connected Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities and met there after having lunch and two beers at Lua Minh; buying four shirts for Lynn and family; three pop up cards by a vendor who was persistent; and lastly a chime for 70,000 dong and $1. It was a very nice town and we heard nice at night but we needed to get our bus back to the ship.
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Hong Kong
Sunday, April 5, 7am - 11pm.
We were invited and accepted to join a viator tour of Hong Kong with Reberta and Gary. We traveled by bus ($3.75 for two) then ferry ($1) to the meeting point. We started the tour but then a torential downpour made it uncomfortable for me as I had not brought an umbrella. We left the tour and our friends and stopped at stores, I had half a subway sandwich and we bought a solar dragon ($3.57) as we made our way back the the ship.
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Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan
Tuesday, April 7, 7am - 7pm.
It was a rainy day, 70 degrees and we walked around on our own. We went to the Cheng Huang temple, saw the night market food area, the Dianji temple, the Temple of the Great Mountain Buddha and went into the Ghost festival museum. We were going to stop for lunch but they did not take credit cards and we did not have their money since it was our only stop in Taiwan, so we went back to the ship for lunch.
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Seogwipo City, in Jeju Island, South Korea
Thursday, April 9, 7am - 3pm.
It was another rainy day so we took a bus for $1.63 for both of us to the Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market. It was 1481 won to the dollar. We had some tangerine juice as tangerines were a big thing here and bought a vest with nice pockets for each of us ($27.22 total). It was a interesting market with a lot of food and souvenirs.
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Yatsushiro, Japan
Friday, April 10, 7am - 4pm.
We paid for a local shuttle ($12.62 for both, round trip) to go to Honmachi arcade and Yatsushiro Castle. Some of our souveniers we purchased here were, 3 fun socks, a folding umbrella and a bottle of cabernet/merlot (2024 Alpaca from Chile, $4.29). We used a debit card to get 20,000 yen which cost us $125.79 at Japan Post Bank.
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Kagoshima, Japan
Saturday, April 11, 7am - 4pm.
We bought two all day transportation passes (for tram, bus or ferrys). You needed yen they did not take credit cards and it was 2,600 yen. We started by walking 1.5 miles to get to the tram (probably should have took a cab). We ended up using all three transportation types, starting with the tram, then a bus while touring and took the ferry to Sakurajima Island to see the volcano. This active volcano is a symbol of Kagoshima. Some of our souveniers were three hand towels, a hand bag, a solar sideways cat, a 3x preshrunk t-shirt for Jeff, chips, ice crean, teas and macha.
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Kochi, Japan
Sunday, April 12, 10am - 6pm.
Lynn spent some time checking out the vendors in the cruise terminal and bought some more caviar garlic, bags, a short shirt and headband before we shared a cab with another couple and went to the Sunday Market, Obiyamachi Shopping Archade and then Kochi Castle. We were lucky to catch an anime parade in the archade as they were having a weekend event.
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Osaka, Japan
Monday, April 13, 7am - 9pm.
We walked to the train station (that was close) and took the train to Nara. It is 1 hour west by train and cost 960 yen or about $12 each way for both of us. Once there we stopped by a starbucks and then started our walking tour. We walked around Nara Park seeing the deer everywhere and had a Ramen lunch. We both bought t-shirts and went to the Todai-ji temple with the Great Buddha statue, which is also the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world (49' high) in the world's largest wooden building.
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Shimizu, Japan
Wednesday, April 15, 7am - 4pm.
We decided to take it easy and just tour around walking as we had been here a couple other times. Mt. Fuji was behind clouds and not visible except for the picture Lynn got early as we were cruising into port. At the terminal Lynn bought a headband for $9.46 and I bought a hat (that said Mt. Fuji in japanese) for $8.32. We then walked to Starbucks for a couple drinks and then slowly toured down the walkway, across a bridge and into town. We toured a few smaller temples and cemetaries as we took in the sights. Most ports in Japan had some entertainment at the port, like bands playing and here they had some fireworks as we sailed away.
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Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan, Lynn and my notes:
Thursday, April 16am - April 21am
April 16: We got an uber to our hotel which wasn't far away. We checked in and it was the smallest hotel room I have ever been in. Luckily we were out most the time and we are not claustrophobic. We went to get a bite to eat at a place Lynn found online. Couldn't find the place even after numerous people gave directions but stumbled upon a great place and had a wonderful meal. 3 courses... salad, curry with rice, veggies (couldn't figure out the round thing with holes and turns out it is lotus root), tofu and a yummy ice cream dessert! Getting lost is a certainty here... glad Lynn is not shy to ask for directions and we have no time restraints now that we are off the ship!
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April 17: Woke up early, grabbed a bite to eat at hotel and then on to Yokohama Station to catch the train to Kamakura. With tons of trains servicing the 3.8 million people in Yokohama and 14 million in Tokyo, figuring out what train and where to stand to wait was always a challenge for us, but Lynn always asked and got friendly help. Once there we had a fresh squeezed orange drink out of the maching and walked to Great Buddha Statue at Kotoku-in Temple and the beautiful grounds. On to Great Kannon Kamakura Hasedera... wow, what a find! And now, lunch break at the restaurant on the grounds. After lunch, finished our walk through the lovely Great Kannon Hasedera Temple grounds, even a cave there! On our walkabout back to the Kamakura Station there were lots of surfers at the beach! Then dinner at Chabuto, the 1 vegan ramen they have was delish!
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April 18: Today we rode the train to Asakusa, which is in the Tokyo area. Started at Tourist Center, which has great views from their rooftop, then on to the Senso-Ji Temple (Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temple, founded in 645 AD). A walk across Sumoda River and then lunch before Tokyo Skytree. The Tokyo Skytree was a fun elevator up and down with great views. We paid for both levels.
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April 19: Train to Yokohama Chinatown (one of the world's largest, Japan's largest Chinatown, with its colorful streets and numerous food vendors selling traditional Chinese snacks). First, a stroll through the park with a lovely floralbed exhibition.
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April 20: Out for our last walkabout in Yokohama and I saw there was a earthquake alert on my phone. We did not feel anything and continued on our adventure to the Yokoham World Porters mall. While exploring I talked Lynn into trying the Yokohama Ferris wheel and we both really enjoyed the ride and views. Then a long walk back to our hotel to get ready for our flight back the next day.
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Airfare Back
I watched rates on the app Hopper and when it said to book our return flight on May 26th, 2025 we booked Tokyo to Miami on Delta for $1,451.62 for both of us. We leave Tokyo at 4:35pm on April 21 and arrive at Miami at 8:57pm still on the 21st (12h 55m flight to ATL with 2.5 hr. layover, then 1hr 57min to Miami, seat selection, plane change if needed, 2 bags per person included). Around 17.5 total hours of traveling from first lift off.
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