NEW! Grand Iberia, Africa & Asia Passage

See the highlights of this former Spanish colonial city during a wide-ranging panoramic tour. Drive with your guide to Rizal Park, named for national hero Dr. José Rizal, whose writings led to Philippine independence. Continue into old Manila along Padre Burgos Street, past the Old Legislative Building and Manila City Hall and across the Jones Bridge-Filipino Friendship Arch to Binondo, the oldest Chinatown in the Philippines. Next, drive to Old Intramuros, the Spanish Old Town that was home of the elite during the colonial era. This historic center was damaged during a World War II battle to retake the city from the Japanese. Stop at the San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the city, for photos. Then see the Casa Manila, a museum that chronicles life in colonial days. At Fort Santiago, see the centuries-old ramparts and learn how José Rizal spent his last days as a prisoner within its walls.

Travel through Old Manila, discovering its rich history and iconic landmarks. Drive with your guide to Rizal Park, named for a national hero whose writings led to the Philippines gaining independence. Next, cross the Pasig River into Intramuros, the Spanish Old Town. Watch a short documentary on the history of the area, which was badly damaged during a World War II battle to take back the city from the Japanese. At Fort Santiago, see centuries-old ramparts and learn how José Rizal spent his last days as a prisoner and wrote his famous poem “My Last Farewell.” Proceed to San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that withstood heavy bombardment during World War II. Continue your panoramic tour, passing landmarks such as the National Museum, City Hall and Binondo—the local Chinatown and center of trade among Filipino-Chinese merchants—as you return to your awaiting ship.

Get into the spirit of adventure as you journey to Pagsanjan for an exciting river ride in a wooden canoe. This town, in Laguna province, was once so prosperous that is was known as the “Athens of Laguna.” Today, it is known as the gateway to Pagsanjan Falls, one of the most famous cascades in the Philippines. Drive with your guide to the embarkation point of your canoe, then relax as a licensed boatman pilots your craft upriver, traversing a picturesque narrow gorge lined with boulders and small waterfalls. Later, you will arrive at the breathtaking basin into which the Pagsanjan Falls plummet. If you wish, you may transfer to a bamboo raft and head under the falls’ soaking curtain into the “Devil’s Cave” behind. Continue your excursion with the return trip to Pagsanjan, a thrilling ride through 14 rapids, as your skilled boatman maneuvers through the gorge.

Visit one of the islands from which General Douglas MacArthur conducted the early war in the Pacific. It served as part of a string of harbor defenses. The military past of Corregidor Island, 26 miles west of Manila, stretches back centuries to the late 1500s, when the ruling Spanish Crown used it as a penal institution, an edifice and a Customs station. The British and Dutch also had confrontations here. Much later, in 1898, American troops seized the island during the Spanish-American War. After Japanese occupation of the Philippines during World War II, Filipinos and Americans lost the island to Japanese forces, but recaptured it in 1945. You will ferry to the island and visit the Pacific War Memorial; the Mile-Long Barracks, said to be the longest in the world; and the Malinta Tunnel, which housed MacArthur and a military hospital. After time to explore, return to your ship by motor coach.

Absorb the diverse cultures and rich history of Manila with visits to historic neighborhoods and a museum. You will drive with your guide to Rizal Park, named for a national hero whose writings led to independence. Continue to Binondo, the largest Chinatown in the Philippines and the center of trade for Filipino-Chinese merchants. Next, cross the Pasig River into Intramuros, the Spanish Old Town, home of the elite during the colonial era. At Fort Santiago, see centuries-old ramparts and learn how José Rizal spent his last days as a prisoner. View San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which withstood heavy bombardment during World War II. Then after lunch, drive to Makati to visit the Ayala Museum; admire its 60 handcrafted dioramas that chronicle the nation’s rich cultural tapestry and its collection of miniature boats depicting a long maritime history.

Discover the historic sights of Manila, see the venerated Black Nazarene religious icon, and tour Fort Santiago. Travel by bus to Rizal Park, named for national hero Dr. José Rizal. Here, a marble marker is designated as Kilometer 0 for road distances on the island of Luzon and the rest of the Philippines. From Kilometer 0, you will enjoy the city sights as you drive through old downtown Manila toward Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown. Next, visit Quiapo Church—home to the famous Black Nazarene, a life-sized image of Christ that is believed to have miraculous power. Discover Old Intramuros, home of the elite during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, and tour the museum at San Agustín Church. Finally, visit Fort Santiago, one of the oldest forts in Manila. After, return to your ship.

Ride a horse and trek over smoldering lava fields on Taal Volcano Island, in the legendary “Pacific Ring of Fire.” A geographic wonder, Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano in the world, and is actually a volcano within a lake within a volcano since both the lake and volcano are situated inside an extinct volcanic caldera. Take in panoramic views of this unique phenomenon from an altitude of more than 2,000 feet above sea level in the city of Tagaytay, the highest point in Batangas. After a scenic boat ride across the lake, your guide will then lead the trek up on horseback along a private trail to the summit. Pass active volcanic steam vents and smell the occasional strong scent of sulphur, a reminder of the activity below. This unique experience concludes with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant in Tagaytay City prior to returning to your ship.

Recharge during a relaxing spa treatment amid the tranquil surroundings of the Farm at San Benito. Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind as you journey into the countryside to the spa, located within more than 100 acres of lush tropical gardens set against a majestic mountain backdrop. Disembark your motor coach and breathe in the fresh air that surrounds the property. Enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and delicious five-course vegan lunch, then head to your choice of several spa treatments. Soothe your muscles’ aches and pains with a hot stone massage, or stimulate your nervous system with a traditional Filipino healing massage called a hilot. You may also choose to de-stress in the sensory deprivation tank. Afterward, participate in one of the spa’s many daily wellness activities, then board your motor coach for the return journey to your awaiting ship.

Admire two unique sights during visits to St. Joseph Church’s Bamboo Organ and Tagaytay’s Taal volcano. Travel to the city of Las Piñas and tour the parish church’s world-famous organ, built during the early 19th century. Enter through the former Spanish convent and gaze up at the oldest and largest bamboo organ in the world. Its 1,031 pipes—902 of which are made entirely of bamboo—create a heavenly sound unlike any other. Continue your journey south to the city of Tagaytay, located on a picturesque ridge 2,000 feet above sea level. Admire sweeping views of Taal Lake and its eponymous volcano, the world’s smallest. Enjoy a delicious lunch at the Taal Vista Hotel; perched atop a verdant crest overlooking the lake, it stands as a symbol of the city’s colonial past. After lunch, stop at a local fruit stand en route to your awaiting ship.

Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine as our Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure. Journey by mini-coach to the local market to handpick ingredients under the guidance of our Chef. Later this evening, you will dine on regional dishes prepared by our experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. As you and your fellow guests enjoy this delicious creation at The Kitchen Table, you will also observe the art of plating with each dish. From fresh market fare to cooking techniques and elegant presentation, experience firsthand how your ship’s world-class culinary staff brings distinct, local flavors from the market to your taste buds. It is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, interact and dine with the masters.