Costa Romantica Shore Excursions

Cruise Itinerary 1

Tianjin－Chejudao-Fukuoka-Kagoshima-Shanghai

Cheju (Jeju), Korea

• Tour Code: EXC_6171
• Activity Time: 4 hrs - Aug. 21, 2010
• Price: $47/adult $35/child

After leaving the port you will drive first to the Folklore and Natural History Museum. This Museum is unmissable for those who want a deeper understanding of the lives of the people of Cheju. You can catch a glimpse of both the history and nature of Cheju brought together under one roof, visiting the Natural History Exhibition Halls including the Geological and Rock Hall, Marine Life Hall, Plant Hall and Insect Hall.

The Folk Exhibition Hall houses a main life section, vividly showcasing the traditional lives of the people of Cheju Island. Its unique form has given rise to many different mystical legends. Finally, before having some free time for shopping you will have a chance to admire the Moksukwon, where nature and art combine harmoniously. The park includes 20 natural tree displays which have been designated as a Cheju Provincial Monument, along with 1000 naturally shaped wooden objects, 500 stones shaped like human heads, and 100 other uniquely shaped stones.

Fukuoka, Japan - Kyushu National Museum and Shopping

• Tour Code: EXC_6481
• Activity Time: 5.5hrs - Sep. 11, 2010
• Price: $65/adult $49/child

Preserving its rich history and traditions, Fukuoka continues to develop as the capital city of Kyushu. Leaving the port you will drive to the Kyushu National Museum. It is a new museum focusing on the unique cultural heritage of Japan, and cultural exchange with the rest of Asia. A striking wood and glass building in the hills, it hosts important collections of Japanese artifacts, particularly ceramics, related to the history of Kyushu. It is the most recent of the national museums of Japan following Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The Cultural Exchange Exhibition room usually displays approximately 800 pieces of cultural assets. The collections cover the history of Kyushu from prehistory to the Meiji era with particular emphasis on the rich history of cultural exchange between Kyushu and neighboring China and Korea. Finally you will drive to the department store in Tenjin where you'll enjoy a couple of hour free time for shopping before returning to the ship.

Kagoshima, Japan

• Tour Code: EXC_6460
• Activity Time: 4.5hrs - Aug.23, 2010
• Price: $55/adult $41/child

Kagoshima is Kyushu's southern most 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, passionate inhabitants and Sakurajima, Kagoshima's Vesuvius. Your tour will begin with the visit of the Senganen Japanese garden, called also the Iso-Tei-en Garden. From there you can get a distant view of Sakurajima beyond Kagoshima Bay. Before going back to the ship you will enjoy some free time for shopping.

Cruise Itinerary 2

Shanghai-Fukuoka-Kumamto-Chejudao-Shanghai

Fukuoka, Japan - Fukuoka Full Day Tour and Kyushu National Museum

• Tour Code: EXC_6483
• Activity Time: 7hrs - Sep. 11, 2010
• Price: $108/adult $81/child

Fukuoka continues its growth as the capital city of Kyushu, while preserving its rich history and traditions. The first stop on your itinerary after leaving the port will be visit the Kyushu National Museum. This striking wood and glass building in the hills houses important collections of Japanese artefacts, particularly ceramics, related to the history of Kyushu. It is the most recent of Japan's national museums after those of Tokyo, Kyoto and Nara. The collections in the Cultural Exchange Exhibition room cover the history of Kyushu from prehistory to the Meiji era with particular emphasis on the rich tradition of cultural exchange between Kyushu and neighbouring China and Korea.

You will then stop at a restaurant to enjoy a Yakiniku-Sushi buffet lunch. A short drive will take you to the 234-metre-tall Fukuoka Tower. The tower stands in the centre of the waterfront area called Momochihama (Seaside Momochi) and was built in 1989 on occasion of the Asian Pacific Expo (Yokatopia), which commemorated the centenary of the incorporation of the modern city of Fukuoka. It is the tallest seaside tower in Japan and took a total of 14 months to build at a cost of six billion yen. The tower has a triangular cross-section and is clad with 8000 half-mirrors, earning it the nickname of the "Mirror Sail". A lift will take you up to the observation deck 123 metres above the ground in about 70 seconds. Here you will be able to admire marvellous panoramic views revealing Fukuoka's urban layout, natural beauties and cultural landmarks, including Hakata Wharf and Sefuri Mountain. Finally you will drive to a department store in Tenjin where you will have a couple of hours free for shopping before returning to the ship.

Cheju (Juje), Korea - Hallim Park

• Tour Code: EXC_6180
• Activity Time: 4hrs - Sep. 13, 2010
• Price: $49/adult $37/child

This excursion will take you first to Hallim, once a barren sandy field of over 33 hectares where people started to sow and cultivate palm tree seeds. It has now developed into a world-class botanical garden against a vivid green backdrop, with an avenue of palm trees reaching up to the sky. The Park features a subtropical botanical garden, a kingdom of rare plants, the underground world of Hyeopjae and Ssangyong Caves, an exhibition of world stones and bonsai art works, as well as an exhibition of Jeju stone and bonsai gardens, and the Folk Village where you can explore the traditional life of the people of Cheju. Then you will drive back along Mystery Road. This is the 'magical' road where if you pull your car over pointing down hill, the car appears to move back up the hill rather than going down! It's one of the exciting mysteries of Cheju. Finally, before returning to the port, you will have some free time for shopping.