Cruising in the Far East

A major slump in the Far East economies, combined with the strong pound, has made travel to the Orient excellent value for money - and what better way to see as much as possible by taking a cruise there?

Many parts of the Orient, such as Vietnam, are only just opening up to tourism.  A cruise of the Far East is an unforgettable mix of incense-filled temples, verdant forests, soft beaches, vibrant markets and sophisticated cities, and you can bring home wonderful souvenirs in the shape of fine antiques, Chinese jade, jewellery, silks, and designer goods, both real and fake.

When to Go

The Far East is traditionally a winter sun destination, but cruises are available all year round.  Fly/cruises including hotel stays are cheaper in the summer because hotel prices fall during the off season.  This usually lasts from May until September, when humidity is at its highest and rain most likely.

Conditions vary from country to country.  Singapore, the base of many Far East cruises, has a fair amount of rain all year round, but more so in May and September, while Thailand's monsoon season stretches from May to October.  Vietnam is hot and almost completely dry from October to April.

What to Pack

An umbrella is essential.  Take a good supply of any medication you are on.  On most ships you can get away with two or three formal outfits, but bear in mind the more expensive the ship, the more Ritzy the passengers are likely to be.

For daytime exploring cotton clothing is definitely the best, but sometimes a lightweight jacket is recommended for places where air-conditioning is very cold.

Ports of Call

Far East itineraries vary immensely, but here are a few of the options:

• Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, formerly Saigon, with graceful Chinese pagodas and elegant boulevards left from the days of French rule
• Nha Trang, Vietnam, famous for its beautiful beaches and its ancient Po Nagar Towers built between the 7th and 12th centuries, with silver plated walls.  At Hue, a three hour drive from the port of Da Nang, you can see the gardens, temples and palaces of the ancient imperial city founded by the Nguyen kings.
• Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, both famous for gloating markets, gold encrusted ancient temples, great shopping, and saffron-robed Buddhist monks.  Phuket also has lovely beaches and great nightlife.  Some cruises do a pre or post-cruise tour to places like Chiang Mai.
• Beijing, on China cruises.  The capital city, filled with relics of China's imperial past, including the Forbidden City
• Wuxi, nearby, is also worth a visit.  Its Grand Canal and complex system of waterways have earned it the nickname "the Venice of the Orient".
• Canton - with a reputation for wonderful restaurants, and classic Chinese architecture.

The Ships

The following lines offer Far East cruises:

• Crystal Cruises - Symphony will cruise from Hong Kong to Dubai as one sector of its 2001 World Cruise voyage, calling at Hon Gai (Vietnam), Kampong Som (Kampuchea), Yangon and Colombo (Sri Lanka)
• Cunard's 118 passenger luxury ship Sea Goddess II cruises to Malaysia, Indonesia and Burma
• Holland America Line has a 17-day winter fly/cruise including calls at Osaka and Nagasaki in Japan, Pusan in South Korea and Shanghai and Xiamen in China.  Prices start at £2065
• Orient Lines is a veteran of Far East cruising, with its Marco Polo and Crown Odyssey.  Ports of call include Hong Kong, Singapore, Bombay, Bali, Vietnam, Fiji and Tahiti.
• Princess Cruises have winter cruises featuring Shanghai, Japan and Hong Kong, with optional land based tours in China.
• Radisson Seven Seas operate a Bali to Singapore cruise calling at Semarang, Jakarta and Krakatau.
• Royal Caribbean International's Legend of the Seas will operate winter itineraries including Singapore, Phuket, Penang, Ko Samui and Vung Tau.
• Seabourn Cruise Line offer luxury winter cruises including a 14-day South China Sea Adventure
• Silversea Cruises operate six-star cruises which include a Bali to Singapore cruise with calls at Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang (Vietnam)
• Star Cruises is based in Singapore, and is one of the biggest specialists in the area.  Superstar Gemini, with 800 passengers, is dedicated to the international markets of the UK and Europe.  It offers two and three night itineraries as well as longer cruises.
• Swan Hellenic, who specialise in cultural tours, have cruises in the area including a call at Rangoon (Burma).  They have also introduced Cruise & Beach, Cruise & City and Cruise & Tour land options.

Contact David Brown Travel for more information

Back to Cruise Menu Page