Day
1
| USA-Shanghai
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Fly to the bustling city of Shanghai, eager to begin our journey to the Far East.
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Day
2
| Arrive-Shanghai
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Arrive on the second day and meet our Ritz Tours guide in the arrivals hall. Transfer to our luxury accommodations and rest up for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow.
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Day
3
| Shanghai
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Orient," Shanghai is China s largest metropolis and one of its most vital cultural and economic centers. We begin our city tour with a visit to renowned classical garden, Yu Garden, followed by a stroll along the Bund, a mile-long waterfront boulevard along the bank of the Huangpu River. After appreciating the famous city skyline and the European-style brownstones, we take a slow drive past famed shopping district, Nanjing Road. In the evening, enjoy an exciting Chinese Acrobatics performance.
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Day
4
| Shanghai-Yangtze River Cruise
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Take the morning to explore the city on your own or relax at the hotel. After an afternoon flight to Yichang, we board our cruise ship, and set sail in the evening for our majestic Yangtze River adventure.
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Day
5
| Yangtze River Cruise
(B,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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This morning, visit the Three Gorges Dam site at Sandouping Village. This massive engineering project will forever change the face of the Yangtze River valley and provide a new source of hydroelectric power. Later, cruise through the first of the Three Gorges, Xiling Gorge, the longest (41 miles) and deepest of the three.
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Day
6
| Yangtze River Cruise
(B,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Disembark at Wushan and board smaller vessels for a journey to the beautiful Lesser Gorges, complete with clear waters, lush terraced fields, and soaring cliffs. Return aboard our cruise ship and sail through Wu Gorge, famous for its twelve unique peaks, and Qutang Gorge, whose entrance is guarded by two mountains resembling giant castle doors.
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Day
7
| Yangtze River Cruise
(B,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Disembark at Fengdu, a fascinating river town which lives up to its moniker of "Ghost City." Demon and ghoul-decorated temples, buildings and statues lining the town depict the Chinese peoples imagination of Hell.
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Day
8
| Yangtze River Cruise-Xian
(B,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Arrive to our final destination of Chongqing, China s fourth municipality and home to the infamous hot Sichuan cuisine. Board a short flight to the ancient city Xian, one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization.
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Day
9
| Xian
(AB,L,DS)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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The "Eternal City" of Xian boasts a reputation as one of the four ancient capitals of the world, housing numerous historical and cultural sites. Perhaps the most famous attraction in Xian is the Terra Cotta soldiers, praised as one of the ten great wonders of the world. Enjoy an authentic noodle-making demonstration during lunch, followed by a visit to the City Wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient wall in China. Our last stop is a tour of the ancient Buddhist temple, Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the evening, enjoy the internationally acclaimed Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.
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Day
10
| Xian-Beijing
(AB,L,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Fly to Beijing. With a time-honored history, Beijing is celebrated as an important historical, cultural and ancient capital of China. Today, we visit the Temple of Heaven, China s largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings. Built in 1420, it was frequented by Ming and Qing emperors for annual ceremonies of prayer and is considered a supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.
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Day
11
| Beijing
(AB,L,DP)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We begin our sightseeing today with a trip to the famed Tiananmen Square, the world s largest urban square. Continue on to the Forbidden City, constructed in the 15th century as a replica of the Purple Palace in Heaven. Admire the opulent lifestyle of imperial times, then visit the exquisite Summer Palace. We complete our day with picture stops at the 2008 Olympic Bird s Nest and Water Cube, and drive back to the hotel for a Peking Roast Duck Banquet.
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Day
12
| Beijing
(AB,L,D )
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Surely the highlight of any trip to China is the remarkable Great Wall, created by the first Qin emperor to protect China s northern borders. Follow this ancient pathway, which winds its way 4000 miles across China s ever-changing landscapes. Finish the city tour with a visit to the Sacred Way and the Ming Tombs Museum.
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Day
13
| Beijing-Bangkok
(AB,DH)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Fly to Bangkok via Hong Kong. Bangkok has been Thailand s capital since the 18th century and is considered the urban and cultural heart of the country. In the evening, enjoy a Thai Classical Dance & Dinner Show.
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Day
14
| Bangkok
(AB,L)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We explore Bangkok s rich heritage with a visit to the Emerald Buddha Temple, one of the most famous Buddha shrines in Thailand with origins dating back to the 14th century. Admire the royal opulence of the Grand Palace and the Coronation Hall, then visit the Gems factory.
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Day
15
| Bangkok
(AB,L)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We will be spoilt for choice at the Damnern Saduak Floating Market, where hundreds of vendors in Thai style canoes assemble daily to sell their fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and snacks. This untouched floating market offers a glimpse into Bangkok s fascinating past. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city at your own pace.
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Day
16
| Bangkok-Hong Kong
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Fly to Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis considered to be the bridge between East and West. Its appeal lies in its dazzling landscape, international cuisine, diverse nightlife, and its many scenic and cultural attractions. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.
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Day
17
| Hong Kong
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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Take a half day city tour to some of Hong Kong s most famous landmarks, including Stanley Market, Repulse Bay, and Aberdeen Floating Village. An exhilarating tram ride to the top of Victoria Peak allows sweeping views of the skyline and Harbor. After lunch, spend the rest of the day at leisure.
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Day
18
| Hong Kong -USA
(AB)
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AB:
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Full American Breakfast
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B:
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Breakfast at hotel or on cruise
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D :
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Dinner at Local Restaurant
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DH:
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International Buffet Dinner at Hotel
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We have reached the end of our journey, and we board our international flight back to the US, filled with many fond memories.
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