What’s the best cruise for a client who’s keen to get back to Asia? Jane Archer explores the options from December into 2023
From island-hopping in Indonesia to experiencing village life along the Mekong, there are many ways for cruise clients to rediscover Asia. Those choosing an ocean sailing can chalk up several countries in one trip – a gruelling prospect by air but a pleasure by sea.
River passengers will visit just one or two countries but gain a greater insight into the places they visit and see towns and villages where tourists are rare. Either is a great and easy way to travel in Asia, perfect for first-timers or those returning to see more. Here’s a selection of some of the options on offer.
Country-hopping cruises
Best for… Nature
Aqua Expeditions has resumed seven and 12-night island-hopping cruises in Indonesia on the 30-passenger Aqua Blu. Three itineraries are available, including one-week voyages round-trip from Bali that promise Komodo dragons, snorkelling, diving and birdwatching on calls into Rinca, Pink Beach and Moyo Island.
Book it: Seven nights cost from $8,715, based on a May 13, 2023 departure.
aquaexpeditions.com
Best for… celebration
Clients can ring in the new year in Vietnam on Seabourn’s new Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia sailings departing from Singapore on December 23, 2022 and 2023 that overnight in Ho Chi Minh City on New Year’s Eve. By day clients can expect water puppets, floating markets and Vietnam war history.
Book it: From £6,499 cruise-only for 16 nights including drinks, tips and Wi-Fi.
seabourn.com
Best for… culture
Dutch colonial architecture is among attractions on the Indonesian island of Celukan, a new port on Celebrity Cruises’ 12-night Bali, Malaysia and Thailand sailings from Singapore to Bali in winter 2023-24.
The cruises, on Celebrity Millennium, also promise Buddhist temples and Chinese ancestral homes in Penang, a chance to explore bustling Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), as well as nightlife in Phuket and plenty of beach and snorkelling time.
Book it: Prices from £1,479 departing December 23, 2023.
celebritycruises.com
Rediscovering Japan by sea
Best for… temples and castles
Holland America Line is focusing on Japan when it returns to Asia in early 2023 with two-week and longer cruises round-trip from Yokohama (Tokyo) that include calls into Osaka, Kobe and Nagasaki. A 14-day Japan Explorer departing March 13, 2023, has stops that take in the Buddhist temples, tea plantations and Shinto shrines of the Shizuoka region, and the Unesco-protected Himeji Castle.
Book it: From £2,189 cruise-only. Clients who book by September 30 will have their tips paid and receive up to $300 per cabin onboard credit – in addition to the line’s Have It All benefits of free drinks and Wi-Fi, a meal in a speciality restaurant and two excursions valued at $200 per person.
hollandamerica.com
Best for… cherry blossom
Japan is also the focus for Princess Cruises, with Diamond Princess returning to homeport in Yokohama and Kobe from March 2023. This is the line’s 10th anniversary of cruises from the two ports and there are cruises of five to 20 nights that deliver everything from cherry blossom to firework festivals and World War history.
Book it: A 20-night Kyushu & Shikoku Spring Flowers sailing from Tokyo, departing on March 14, 2023, costs from £3,134, and also stops at Jeju island, in South Korea.
princess.com
Magic on the Mekong-with a discount
Mekong cruises are mostly seven nights, sailing from My Tho, the port for Ho Chi Minh City (although a few lines have ships small enough to sail from Ho Chi Minh itself) to Siem Reap in Cambodia or vice-versa.
All visit Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, for visits to palaces and markets and the poignant Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. There are also calls into small towns and villages, where passengers can visit artisan workshops, be blessed by monks, try snake-flavoured rice wine and ride in trishaws and oxcarts.
Plus, with heavily discounted sailings for Mekong cruises from 2022 through to 2024, clients who book now can take advantage of a range of offers.
Best for… families
For any clients looking to show their children the sights, sounds and wonder of the Mekong, Lotus offers a second suite free for families.
Book it: A seven-night cruise from My Tho to Kampong Cham (for Siem Reap), departing December 25, 2022, costs from $3,697 for a Signature Suite, with an adjacent suite free for two children aged up to 12. Flights extra.
lotuscruises.com
Best for… cities
AmaWaterways is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a 20% discount and £20 per person deposit for client bookings, plus a £200 Love2shop voucher for the booking agent.
Book it: A 15-night Charms of the Mekong cruise-tour holiday that adds Ho Chi Minh City, Siem Reap, Hanoi and Halong Bay to a one-week cruise costs from £5,721 including flights and transfers. The discount applies until September 30.
amawaterways.co.uk
New for 2023, Uniworld has added two nights in Hanoi and a city tour to its Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia and The Mekong cruises, making the trip 15 days. Clients who book by September 30, 2022, will receive a 10% discount.
Book it: Prices start at £5,849 for a January 10, 2023, departure, including international and internal flights.
uniworld.com
Best for… all-inclusive
For clients craving the ultimate all-inclusive holiday, APT includes everything from airport lounge access and UK and overseas transfers to flights and tips.
Book it: A 15-night Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights cruise-and-stay holiday from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, departing on March 16, 2023, costs from £6,145.
aptouring.co.uk
Best for… value
Emerald Cruises is offering savings of up to £1,900 per couple and free premium drinks packages with its 12-day Majestic Mekong voyage, which starts in Ho Chi Minh City, sails to Prek K’dam in Cambodia to visit Oudong Monastery for a Buddhist blessing, then finishes up in capital Phnom Penh.
Book it: The cruise costs from £3,045 for a departure on April 13, 2023, for bookings made by September 30.
emeraldcruises.co.uk
Ocean v river
- Ocean cruises mostly operate in winter, while river cruises only take three or four months off each year to avoid excessive heat or monsoons.
- ‘Country collectors’ can tick off five or more destinations on an ocean cruise in Asia.
- River cruises take passengers into the heart of the destination, past locals getting on with their lives and experiencing what makes each location special.
- Time-rich clients can take advantage of two-week or longer river cruise-and-stay holidays that include sights and cities such as Halong Bay and Hanoi.
PICTURES: Shutterstock/Patrick Foto, Huy Thoai, Richie Chan
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