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A BEHEMOTH is set to crash onto the cruise liner scene. Forget “floating city” – this 160,000-ton monster ship will need a vote in the UN. Boasting space for 6,300 passengers, 2,000 more than its closest rival, and more balconies than you can shake a ship at, it will also have the largest at-sea swimming pool holding 500 tons of water. Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink. Arriving late 2009, Oasis of the Seas (www.oasisoftheseas.com) is a residence, a football-field-size, tree-lined luxury retreat.
Impressive yes, but does size really matter? While the QE2 (Queen Elizabeth II) has reached her final port-of-call, moored off the Palm Jumeriah, Dubai, in her service heyday she attracted complaints of long queues, and other indiscretions. I once choked on the welcome champagne that turned out to be mediocre sparkling wine. After sailing five-and-a-half-million nautical miles and carrying more than two million passengers, Cunard’s QE2 is readying herself for use as a five-star hotel. Royal names and iconic histories are not guarantees of best-in-show. So on with our Asian cruises guide from the small and the saucy to the big the bold and the brash and a look at cruise schedules for 2010 and 2011.
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Championing the cause of good things in small packages was the Hebridean Spirit (now replaced by sibling Hebridean Princess that trawls the waters off Scotland and Norway but not, alas, Asia). With only 70 passengers, the dedicated service and relaxed privacy made this ship a champagne choice. Asian cruises, as anywhere, require careful homework to sort the wheat from the chaff, the wallet bending from the truly wallet shattering. Armed with specific knowledge, an Asia cruise can be a highly enjoyable experience.
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Since my first invitation to speak on the Orient Line’s Marco Polo in 1994, I have cruised around the Indian Ocean on a score of ships, from large passenger liners like the QE2 visiting the region during a world cruise, to small luxury ships like Seabourn Spirit and Silversea's Silver Shadow putting into little-visited ports such as Port Blair in the Andaman Islands.
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| Oasis of the Seas cuts the waters |
Since I was first invited as a guest speaker on the Orient Line’s Marco Polo in 1994, I have cruised around the Indian Ocean on a score of ships, from large passenger liners like the QE2 visiting the region during a world cruise, to small luxury ships like Seabourn Spirit and Silversea's Silver Shadow putting into little-visited ports such as Port Blair in the Andamans.
What are you looking for in an Asian cruise?
Some passengers cruise for exotic destinations. Others go to sea for the thrill of the voyage. Fun can mean professional cabaret every evening, casinos, quizzes and casual dress, or it can mean an elite country-club atmosphere, quiet formal evenings and erudite lecturers.
While glitzy cruise liners boast lavish buffets and spectacular entertainment for hundreds of passengers, queues at ports-of-call can be laborious, as are jam-packed sundecks. On the other hand, a smaller ship with only one bar and restaurant, could limit your activities and, more worryingly, your choice of company.
Cruising can cater for everyone – even for merry widows with gentlemen hosts on call for dancing – but first-timers should think carefully about what they get for their dollar before signing up for that “holiday-of-a-lifetime” voyage.
Rates for Asian cruises that really do include all the extras may at first seem high. However, extras like cocktails (plus 15 percent service charge), shore excursion (often more than US$100 a head), and tips of over US$20 per day per couple, can add a lot to the cost of the cruise. The basic component covered by a cruise fare is limited to the voyage, accommodation, meals and entertainment, so do allow for extras when comparing costs. Nasty surprises could include extras for government fees and taxes, port charges, fuel supplements, optional travel protection and incidentals like laundry, spa and salon treatments, purchasing those souvenir photographs and succumbing to the casino and art auction enticements.
Asia cruises – examine the fine print on rates
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| The World: Floating Residence |
Minimum fares generally start around US$250 per person per day depending on the ship. Many companies advertise discounts in their brochures and a good cruise travel agent could come up with less than the brochure price because of early or late booking discounts, loyalty programmes and volume pricing. One of the leading cruise bookers is Kenny Wong of Atlantis International (www.ailcruises.com). Based in Florida, Kenny (Kenny@ailcruises.com) can get great deals with all cruise lines reviewed here, and specialises in Silversea Cruises.
When poring over your Asia cruises brochures, always study the small print for extras. While companies such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas state that tipping is not expected (but it will surely be accepted), some specify what gratuities are required. Crystal Cruises suggests guidelines for stateroom and dining service tips as: stewardess US$5 (single travellers, US$6 per day), senior waiter US$5, waiter US$3, butler US$4, all per guest per day. There is no guidance about tips for the maitre d', head waiter, assistant stewardess and room service personnel, but US$7 per guest per dinner is recommended for those restaurants where a premium is charged.
Passengers on Legend of the Seas can pre-pay gratuities per person per day of US$3.50 each for the restaurant waiter and stateroom attendant, US$2 for the assistant waiter and 75cents for the headwaiter. On the Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 a "discretionary hotel and dining charge" is added to the bill of each passenger (including children) of about US$15 a day, according to accommodation grade, plus 15 percent on bar charges and dining room wine. Costa ships add 75 euros to a passenger's bill at the end of a cruise to cover gratuities. Princess Cruises add US$10.50 per person per day to the on-board bill. Passengers on Azamara ships have to hand over a hefty US$12.25 per day per guest, plus US$4 per day per suite-travelling passenger for the head butler, as well as 18 percent service charge on beverages and room service bills.
Gratuities can be charged to the shipboard account while some ships provide envelopes in the cabins (and guidelines in the ship's daily programme) for tips to individuals at the end of a voyage.
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| Superstar Aquarius pose, Hong Kong |
Another expense to prepare for when considering Asian cruising adventures is the tips for staff when you take a shore excursion. Legend of the Seas recommends that the Tour Director be tipped around US$3 and the coach driver US$2, both per guest per day. In addition, some cruise lines require guests to pay port charges and government taxes and this could add as much as US$400 per person. With exchange rates on a trampoline, these notional numbers will vary considerably.
Something new to budget for is the premium payable to dine in a speciality restaurant that features a theme menu (such as Italian, French, Thai or Japanese cuisine). This can range from the US$20 charged for Norwegian Cruise Line's steak restaurants and 20 euros per person plus 15 percent service charge for drinks in the club restaurants on Costa cruise ships, to US$200 for a degustation menu with five premium wines, on Silverseas ships.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) pioneered the concept of “freestyle cruising” which gives guests the option of eating in any one of several restaurants, only some of which attract a premium for extra service and broader variety of food. Their ships are child-friendly too, with lots of activities and attendants to keep children busy while their parents play. Keep them in mind for child friendly cruises for the family. The closest that NCL ships get to Asia is Hawaii, although older NCL ships have cruised in the Indian Ocean in the past, and could do so again. Check the NCL website (www.ncl.co.uk) for updates on their Asia/Orient cruises.
Is Asian cruising for me? Formalities and jamborees
Cruising is a wonderful option for the elderly – and the lazy – since unpacking (and packing) only has to be done once instead of at every destination, and getting back to the cabin at night after a convivial evening doesn’t require a taxi. Cruise ships also carry a doctor who holds daily clinics (for a fee, so have good insurance). The bigger ships with more organised activities are suitable for parents with children, who can be cared for by trained staff. Some, like NCL ships and Star Cruises, positively welcome children and have special meals and club facilities for them. Luxury smaller ships often have nothing special for children to do, and the predominantly older passengers’ tolerance of other people's kids may be low. Be aware that some small ships will not accommodate children below a certain age.
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| Seabourn Odyssey |
Passengers with mobility problems will find better facilities on ships built after around 2003. These have a range of cabins designed for wheelchair users, and some even have electric hoists to help passengers get in and out of the swimming pool. Special cabins feature ramps and extra wide doors, grab bars and shower stools, raised beds and adjustable hanging rods in the closets and toilets. Some staterooms also feature alarms and communications systems such as vibrating alarms and closed system TVs for passengers with hearing and visual disabilities. All cruise ships have wheelchairs for temporarily disabled passengers (and a steward on hand to push) but these are limited to emergency onboard necessity – embarking and disembarking – not for exclusive use or for shore excursions.
Cruising in Asia is the ideal holiday for solo passengers too, although some ships charge 175 percent of the per person rate for single occupancy of a double cabin. Solo passengers are often invited to dine at the captain’s or chief engineer’s table and since there are usually a good batch of singletons, there are ample opportunities for ship-board romance.
There are often three formal nights on a 14-night cruise and this means a tuxedo or at least a dark suit for men. Informal, smart or elegant casual on other nights indicates that men should wear a jacket and not necessarily a tie. For elegant casual, Star Cruises insist “all gentlemen must have a collar with flap”. Casual nights allow for dressing down, but not shorts, except during the day. The larger ships have buffet restaurants operating in the evenings where dress is casual.
The larger the ship, the more entertainment, with lavish shows, parlour games and casinos. Even the small yachts of Seabourn have cabarets and comedians, while Silversea vessels veer towards more classical evenings. All have musicians, either small groups or a bar pianist. Lectures are usually given in the ship's theatre or, in the case of very small ships like Island Sky, in the bar lounge.
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| Hebridean Princess cabin |
The bigger ships have dedicated smoking lounges while others confine smokers to defined areas on the open deck. The bigger ships sometimes feature “art auctions” with paintings perpetually cluttering up public places, and also have ship's photographers and contrived photo opportunities, which the smaller ships eschew.
Some Asian cruises operate a two-seating policy at meal times. This means a first sitting commencing at 6.30pm with second sitting at 8.30pm. There would be two cabaret performances in the evenings too so that all guests can see the shows. At lunchtime there is a buffet served on deck or in a deckside restaurant, as an alternative to having lunch in the more formal atmosphere of the restaurant. Breakfast is usually a buffet, either deckside or in the restaurant.
The peak time for cruising in Asia through the Indian and Pacific Oceans is from October to April and there are three kinds of cruise vessel. Catering for the mass market are the larger liners such as those of Royal Caribbean, Princess and Holland America. Midsize ships are operated by Oceania, Crystal and Celebrity cruise lines. Riding the crest of the wave in the small, luxury cruise ship category are Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas. The smaller ships base themselves in the area for the season while the larger ones, such as Queen Victoria, pass through as part of an annual round-the-world voyage. For people with no fixed schedule and who like their own company, there are also passenger-carrying container ships that have taken over from the tramp steamers of old.
Although some container ships do take passengers, the voyages can be long and uncertain. Romance is lost to the crush of containers and dining is reserved to ship’s fare with a handful of passengers and officers. You could also be pleasantly surprised. The chef has his hands free from wall-to-wall buffets and is often able to rustle up genuine delicacies. Cargo ships have basic to excellent accommodations and a huge selection of movies. Most passenger freighters take four to twelve passengers. Tramp ships of yore are giving way to sleeker vessels catering to the well-heeled and there are some excellent freighter ship cruises available.
The best Asian cruises – ships, freighters, floating residences
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| Tiger Breeze: cargo option |
US-based Maris Freighter Cruises offers a wide range including round-the-world cruises on multipurpose cargo ships (including Rickmers) carrying containers and up to 12 passengers though four to five is the norm. The ships have two double and three single cabins with showers, mini-fridges, TV and DVD/VCR sets and shared facilities include an exercise room and swimming pool. Voyages can be broken up into segments. One itinerary, which starts and ends in Houston, includes ports in Korea, China, Japan and Singapore; the 18-week voyage costs about 10,000 euros per person. Another round-the-world voyage bookable through the company is the Pearl String Voyage which can be picked up in Singapore and includes Ho Chi Minh City, Kaohsiung (Taiwan) and Shanghai. Other embarkation points include Houston and Hamburg.
Maris Freighter Cruises includes options like CMA CGM Hugo (San Francisco to Dalian, Xiamen, Shanghai and Ningbo); MSC Texas and Pacific Link (Los Angeles, Xiamen, Hong Kong, Yantian); and Hanjin Brussels and Copenhagen (LA, Seattle, Pusan in South Korea, Yantian, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, and back across the Pacific to Los Angeles). There is a round-the-world option in 105 days touching Kingston, Jamaica (day 46), Panama Canal, Los Angeles (day 56), Shenzhen (74), Hong Kong (75), Shanghai (day 79), Pusan, and back across the Pacific.
Dedicated Asian freighter cruises include one by MOL Wish, which accommodates eight passengers on the 22-day voyage from Singapore to ports in Japan and China and back to Singapore. Fares are about 110 euros per day on this German-crewed vessel. Your cabin will be cleaned once a week and recommended tipping is US$5 per passenger per day. The MOL Wish does a Hong Kong to South America via Singapore, and Cape Town to Rio and Buenos Aires with eight passengers in 30sq m cabins including a living room at 110 euros per day (single occupancy). The entire roundtrip ending up back in Hong Kong is 63 days. Tiger Breeze (formerly City of London) was built in 1997 in Poland and sails with Russian officers and crew from Singapore to Port Kelang and Madras and back. A 14-day voyage costs US$1,950 per passenger. This freighter has four twin-bedded and four single cabins that are basically furnished and have kettles. There is an outdoor swimming pool and an age limit of 79. In addition to offering an informative website about cruise and freighter travel, Maris also runs a Cruise and Freighter Travel Club, which offers regular newsletters and further discounts on cruises. Freighters may be the bottom end of the Asian cruising pecking order but they can be fun.
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| Crystal Serenity: Deluxe Stateroom |
The 940-passenger Crystal Symphony, whose US$23 million refurbishment includes a new casino and nightclub and a “Starlight Club” with panoramic sea views, sails 26 April 2010 on its “Indian Ocean Insight” itinerary priced at US$7,390 touching Singapore, Yangon (Rangoon), and Mumbai (Bombay).
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Crystal Cruises (www.cyrystalcruises.com) is offering US$2,000 “as you wish” spending credits as well as two-for-one fares on several 2010 and 2011 voyages. Do check on these giveaways as well as possible airfare throw-ins. Another Asia voyage example is the “Temples & Trade Routes” Sydney-to-Singapore cruise that runs mid-April 2010 for 15 days at US$7,090 touching Cairns, passing the Great Barrier Reef, Darwin, Semarang (Indonesia), and Bali. There is a US$1,000 shipboard spending credit as well as complimentary airfare depending on point of pick-up.
Plan in advance for the Singapore-to-Mumbai “Temples to Skyscrapers” Asia cruise that runs 15-29 March, 2011, priced at US$8,665 touching Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang or Port Klang), the sun-and-sand playground of Phuket (Thailand), Yangon (Burma), Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Cochin (or Kochi, in Kerala, South India). Shipboard credit is US$500.
Italian cruise line Costa Cruises offers short and longer Asia cruises. A typical vessel has nine decks (eight for passengers), and features hand-cut Carrara marble and fine-wood walls. In October 2010 Costa Classica does a 14-night voyage linking China, Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam at US$1,199. The 678-cabin Costa Romantica does a circle cruise from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hong Kong, Manila, Kota Kinabalu, Bandar Seri Begawan and back (14 nights from around US$1,199 per person, May 2010).
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| 800 passenger Costa Allegra |
Former Renaissance vessel the Island Sky (from Noble Caledonia) enjoys glamorous accommodation, a library and Internet centre, one restaurant and 59 large cabins to accommodate a maximum of 116 passengers. Shore excursions, but not drinks, are included in the fare, which ranges from £4,495 for a 17-night voyage from Maldives to Phuket, to £3,495 for a 13-night Asian cruise, Phuket to Bali. The ship is for mature passengers and there are no facilities for children. Noble Caledonia also typically offers a winter season “Persian Gulf Odyssey” at 11 nights from £3,045 sailing through the Arabian Gulf. Unlike common Asian cruises that only flirt with shore excursions, MS Island Sky delves into the hinterland in greater detail and also includes call in Iran and the port city of Bandar e Bushehr from where passengers can drive on to the historic city of Shiraz.
There are dozens of live-aboard boats available for charter in the Maldives and these are popular with divers as well as those who want to visit islands beyond the 90 devoted exclusively to hedonistic tourism. There's a formidable dive centre on board along with a fun-in-the-sun party atmosphere (drinks are included in the fare) on Atoll Explorer. This small vessel (20 cabins, some with balcony, for 40 passengers) has been operating all-inclusive week-long cruises throughout the Maldives since 1997 and has become so popular it can be booked for months in advance. Cruises are generally taken as part of a Maldives holiday package but can be arranged independently with diving an extra cost. It is the perfect way of cruising around tropical, palm-fringed desert islands in an exclusive, laidback style. One highlight is a visit to the spa at Kandholhudhu. Get a herbal rubdown in a spa pavilion under swaying palm trees or opt for a beauty treatment. This island offers good and accessible snorkelling within the protected house reef. Gawp at small sharks and stingrays. The Atoll Explorer is moored at Kurumba (about a 20-minute boat ride from the international airport).
Back to the open seas. One of The Yachts of Seabourn ships visits Asia every year. Seabourn Pride, for example, is an admirable combination of small-ship ambience with big-ship spectacle. With 106 suites, she never has more than 208 passengers, who soon get to know each other at the restaurant, by the pool, in the small casino, or in the bars (most drinks, including in-suite champagne on arrival, are complimentary). There is entertainment by professionals every night in the ship’s theatre or lounge. A typical cruise may run 20 days at US$10,999 Hong Kong to Japan taking in stops along the way in China, Taiwan and South Korea. One departs 24 April 2010.
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| Silver Shadow: Verandah and butlers |
As well as voyages to and from Japan (May 2010), she embarks on regular 14-day cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong with calls at ports in Vietnam and Thailand (fares from US$5,499). Fares usually include one shore excursion; tipping is included. Government and port taxes are extra and could add another US$400 to the cruise cost.
The Seabourn Odyssey commenced her maiden world cruise in early 2010. At 32,000 tons this ship is three times the size of her sister "yachts" and carries double the number of passengers in 225 suites, 90 percent of which have balconies. Special features of the cabins are granite bathrooms, in-suite bar and flat-screen televisions; there is also a two-storey spa and waterfall and Seabourn Square – a lounge with library and cafe. The newest Seabourn ship, Seabourn Sojourn, is scheduled to visit the Asian region in 2011, along with her sister ships Seabourn Pride and Seabourn Spirit. Seabourn Spirit pulls off some quick and feisty Asian cruises like the 16-day Singapore circle run starting 20 December, 2010 touching Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The fare is priced at US$10,200.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (formerly Radisson Seven Seas Cruises) has two ships that cruise regularly in the region, the Seven Seas Mariner and the Seven Seas Voyager. Both ships carry 700 passengers in suites, each of which has a balcony, and both have casinos, show lounges, fitness centres and enrichment programmes. While wine with dinner is complimentary it is charged at other times, but soft drinks are free and shipboard gratuities are included in the fare; government taxes are extra. Seven Seas Mariner departs Istanbul (Turkey) on 21 October, 2010, on an 18-day voyage including Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Dubai. Fares start at US$12,250.
Seven Seas Navigator with all ocean-view suites (90 percent with balconies) for 490 guests. The 4 October, 2010 cruise from Tianjin (China) touches various Asian destinations and concludes at Laem Chabang (close to Bangkok, Thailand), priced at US$14,100. An interesting “Northwest Passage” sailing for 18 nights departs 15 September, 2010, from Seward (Alaska) to Beijing (Tianjin). This is priced at US$8,775.
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| Legend of the Seas balcony cabin |
Royal Caribbean International (www.royalcaribbean.com) successfully re-introduced Asian cruises into its schedule in December 2007 (after dropping them for six years). Its 21 ships are renowned for a happy atmosphere with lots to do in spacious public areas. For top Asian cruising in the region the line has one of its glitziest and brightest ships (glass lifts, floor-to-ceiling windows, rock climbing wall and 18-hole miniature golf course), Legend of the Seas. With a passenger capacity of 2,076, this 70,000 ton vessel is looked after by a crew of 723. It typically cruises from Mumbai to Singapore via Goa, Kochi, Phuket, and Port Kelang though itineraries change each year. Over the winter period she operates three, four and five-night cruises from Singapore to ports in Malaysia and Thailand.
A typical 12-night Dubai roundtrip on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance Of The Seas touches ports in Muscat, Oman, Cochin (India), Goa (India) and Mumbai (Bombay), priced from US$1,549 (9 April 2011).
Oceania Cruises and the line's mid-sized ship, Nautica, which holds 684 guests (with 400 staff), has become a regular visitor to the region. Scheduled activities on board on sea days include wine tasting, culinary demonstrations and arts and craft classes. Menus change on a daily basis. An interesting 15-day Singapore to Hong Kong cruise on Nautica sets off 15 January, 2011, touching the island of Koh Samui (Thailand), Bangkok (nearest port), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang (Vietnam), Ha Long Bay (Hanoi), Huangpu, and Hong Kong. The cruise is priced at US$4,999 per passenger.
There are several sailing dates for the 16-day “Ancient Jewels” Hong Kong to Bangkok voyage on Nautica again priced at US$5,299 per guest. Depart 15 January, 2011, 30 January, 15 February or 11 March, 2011. The route runs from Hong Kong to Keelung (Taiwan), and on to Kaohsiung, Manila, Kota Kinabalu, Nha Trang, Saigon, Sihanoukville, and Bangkok. Meanwhile, watch for the arrival of Oceania’s latest liner, the 66,000 ton Marina that hosts up to 1,258 persons (double occupancy). Oceania Cruises has several two-for-one offers (mainly in Europe), along with special rates and US$2,000 price reductions.
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| Holland America's Amsterdam |
The Volendam of the Holland America Line has an 18-day cruise from Singapore that visits ports in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Japan (from US$2,099 in April 2011. Her sister ship Amsterdam embarks on a 69-night Grand Asia voyage from Seattle to San Diego with calls at ports in Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore and Indonesia (September 2010). Fares start at U$$8,999 for the whole voyage in keeping with the modest pricing of this cruise line for its traditional shipboard comforts.
Big player Star Cruises is dedicated to onboard fun, complete with casinos, cabarets, buffets and a relaxed Asian ambience where “elegant casual” dress is the most that is required for the gala dinner. There is a “no tipping” policy but room service, dining a la carte in theme restaurants, beverages, government taxes, port charges and passenger handling fee are extra and there is a fluctuating fuel surcharge.
The 76,800 ton Superstar Virgo with a capacity of 1,804 passengers, runs weekend, two-night and three-night cruises out of Singapore every month. According to the cruise length, ports include Malacca, Port Kelang, Redang, Phuket, Langkawi and nowhere (the weekender). There are ten restaurants on board with free dining (up to six meals a day) either as indoor and outdoor buffets in the Chinese family restaurant or the Bella Vista for international dining. Other restaurants attract a premium. Fares per passenger sharing inside cabin start at around US$560 for the two-night weekend cruise; balcony class cabins with premium privileges are also available. Her sister ship, the Superstar Aquarius with 765 cabins operates one-night cruises to nowhere regularly out of Hong Kong. These are some of the best short sail options for Hong Kong weekend cruises and Singapore cruises.
Superstar Aquarius for example does a short South China Sea run from Hong Kong to Keelung (Taiwan), Taichung, Tainan and back departing 2 May, 2010 and 8 August, 2010. Superstar Virgo does five nights from Penang, touching Phuket, Malacca, and Port Klang 2 May, 2010, and 16 May, 2010. and again in June, July, August and September 2010. There are roughly two sailing each month. There is a Phuket-Langkawi-Redang option too.
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| MOL Wish: HK to South America |
The SAGA Group’s Saga Rose was exclusively for those over 50, with a maximum of 655 passengers. Cabins varied in space and luxury but each had a TV and DVD player and 24-hour room service. This ship appears to have been discontinued, its place taken by siblings Saga Pearl II and Saga Ruby. The company’s cruise itinerary does not include Asia in 2010.
Short Asian cruises sectors are also available on P&O’s Asian and Oriental fleet ships the Aurora and Arcadia as they sail through the region on world voyages. The Aurora is great for family cruising, with a range of facilities for tots to teens. These include a children’s play area, paddling pool, night nursery babysitting service, and the Decibels venue for teenagers ages 13 to 17, including a video wall, computers and a teen disco at night.
The P&O ship, Arcadia, made her maiden world voyage from Southampton early 2009. She returned to the region as part of a round-the-world cruise in February 2010 with a sailing from Sydney via Kota Kinabulu to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Port Kelang and Mumbai on the way to Muscat. On this ship there are special fares for single cabins equivalent to 170 percent of the per person fare in a shared double cabin. (There is a small discount for cruises booked at www.pocruises.co.uk).
P&O liner Oriana sets off 16 November, 2010, on a 14-night cruise Hong Kong to Mumbai, taking in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indian coastal regions. This promises to be a fun adventure for Asian cruise boffins.
Passengers on other liners speak with awe about the Silversea ships whenever they are spotted in port. The company describes its fleet’s suites as offering the highest ratio of space-per-guest of any fleet, and 80 percent of its suites have furnished teak verandahs. Asia cruises, as indeed all sailings, feature lectures by historians, ambassadors, state leaders, authors and geographers. All four ships offer WiFi throughout. It's not just the sophisticated ambience of a Silversea ship that makes it special; everything – even boarding and disembarking – is smoothly run. Your privacy is sacred, yet camaraderie abounds, aided by a staff-to-guest ratio of almost one-to-one. With all spirits and cocktails (including Pisco Sour), fine wines, three famous brands of champagne included in the fare, and service by intelligent, knowledgeable staff, these ships deserve their awesome reputation.
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| P&O Arcadia: home away from home |
For Asian cruising enthusiasts there is always a chance to sample Silversea hospitality when the 28,258 ton Silver Whisper (382 guests maximum) passes through. In November and December 2010 her sister ship Silver Shadow sails to and from Hong Kong before departing Singapore for Australia on 5 December 2010.
Keep an eye on the inaugural Silversea 2011 “World Cruise” Los Angeles to Southampton (UK) departing 20 January, 2011. The entire sailing takes in 60 ports in 119 days. The round-the-world cruise is split into two “World Journeys” – LA to Hong Kong; and Hong Kong to Southampton. Or slip into the waters for briefer 10-to-21-day segments. The sailing touches, Papeete, Auckland, Sydney, Cairns, Darwin, Bali, Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang, Colombo, Cochin, Mumbai, Dubai and Athens. Departing Hong Kong on 22 March, 2011, the 58-day “World journey” on to Southampton is costed at US$34,040. The Singapore-Dubai leg departing 3 April, 2011 is priced at US$7,918.
“Travel By Design” is the option offered by the all-apartment ship The World. Sailing the globe year-round, its “floating residences” of varying size can be rented or even bought. For a minimum of six nights, passengers can cruise from and to wherever they fancy on the ship’s itinerary at a price that is for two people sharing and includes dining, select beverages, gratuities and port charges. The concept sold is an adventurous but relaxed lifestyle. Leisurely sailings will take in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Manila, Papua New Guinea, Sydney, Bali, Singapore, Yangon and Dubai. If you don’t want to get off, sail on to Venice or Barcelona.
The Princess Cruise Line has five ships, both big and medium-sized, visiting and cruising within the Asian region. Onboard atmosphere is bright and cheerful. Sample the 24-hour buffet every day included in the fare, or splash out on a meal at a speciality restaurant. Segment fares are available on world cruises and are competitively priced. Dawn Princess weighs in at 77,000 tons and carries 1,990 passengers. The smaller (30,200 tons, 670-passenger) Pacific Princess pops up on her world cruise in Nagasaki, bound for ports in Korea, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and Maldives, ending in Mumbai.
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| Crystal Symphony: Sydney: |
The 77,000 ton, 1,990 passenger ship Sun Princess operates cruises to and from Australia. She makes other cruises in the region with a 42-day round-trip cruise from Sydney taking in ports in Malaysia, China, Japan and Pacific Islands. The larger Diamond Princess, at 116,000 tons and 2,670 passenger capacity, cruises in both directions between Beijing and Bangkok, via Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore. The renamed Ocean Princess (formerly Tahitian Princess), a smaller vessel with a capacity for 670 passengers, has several cruises of varied itineraries between Shanghai and Bangkok or Singapore before leaving the region from Shanghai bound for ports in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore Malaysia, Burma and India on her way to Cape Town. Ocean Princess itineraries include the “South China Sea & Japan Grand Adventure” from Bangkok (Laem Chabang) to Osaka, with 28 days on the high seas calling in at various points. This cruise departs 8 February, 2011. Sister liner Sun Princess does a “Treasures of Southeast Asia” roundtrip from Fremantle taking in 17 days including Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Embark on 14 May, 2010. Not to be outdone, Diamond Princess has a 29-day voyage departing 5 December, 2010 taking in Bangkok, Sydney and Auckland.
Ocean cruise line Cunard has been in operation since 1840 and runs a number of famous ships, notably Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, with a new Queen Elizabeth sailing in 2010. The annual round-the-world voyage of the old Queen Elizabeth 2 has been taken over by Queen Victoria and she operated to full capacity on her maiden voyage early 2008. Cruising on a Cunard Queen has great social prestige and snobbery pervades the atmosphere. Passengers dine according to how much they’ve paid, with restaurants and even some bars being off-limits to those who haven't paid top whack. Yes, it's the old-fashioned first, second, third class system in operation. One restaurant (Britannia) has two sittings and mass-market cuisine for passengers at lowest rates. The 90,000-ton Queen Victoria offers 900 staterooms (639 of which have balconies) for 2,000 passengers on 12 decks.
The other new Cunard vessel, Queen Mary 2, seems cast from the same mould being billed since her launch in 2004 as "the grandest ocean liner ever built." At 151,400 tons, she carries a maximum of 2,592 guests in shameless luxury (Queen's Grill accommodation), to bargain basement, actually Deck Four inside cabin (Britannia accommodation). As part of her 2010 world cruise she sails from Dubai for Bombay, Phuket, Penang, Port Kelang and Singapore before going on to Vietnam, China, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia and then Mauritius on her way to Capetown. The Dubai to Sydney segment sells from a low of £5,609 per person sharing for the 40-day voyage.
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| Balmoral from Fred Olsen |
Cunard sailings include the January to March 2011 New York-Singapore run as well as a briefer NY-Dubai segment. Queen Mary does a Cape Town to Hong Kong cruise departing 5 February, 2011 and arriving 19 March.
A newcomer to round-the-world cruising is Balmoral (the newest liner, refitted in 2008), of the popular Fred Olsen Cruise Line fleet. She made her debut with an unusual itinerary, starting her voyage in February 2009 in an easterly direction from Dover, England. She made a more conventional westerly circumnavigation beginning from Dover January 2010, bound for Freemantle. At 43,537 tons, Balmoral has 738 cabins for 1,440 passengers and lots of entertainment but, according to the company, preserves “the homely atmosphere that is the company’s trade mark”. Early-savers fares for an inside cabin start at about £100 a day per person. A 37-night “World Voyage on Balmoral is priced from £3,749 departing February 2011 including Sydney, Brisbane, Hamilton Island, Cairns, Bitung (Indonesia), Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Laem Chabang (Thailand), Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Kuantan (Malaysia), Singapore, Cochin (Kochi), Goa, Mumbai and Dubai.
The Azamara Quest made its first visit to the region late in 2008 and offers passengers a fusion in style in its on-board facilities with butler service and speciality restaurants (at no extra charge but add US$5 per person tip) as well as open seating in the main restaurant. There are no formal nights. Guests booking suites get welcome champagne, daily mineral water and canapés. Drinks, however, are among the extras with 18 percent service charge. The ship, built in 2000, has been the Azamara Quest since 2007. At 30,277 tons she carries a maximum of 694 passengers served by 355 crew. In April 2010 she sets sail from Singapore to call at Phuket, Cochin and Bombay before going back to Athens. Then departing 21 December, 2010, the Azmara Quest leaves Singapore for Bangkok, Sihanoukville, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue (Vietnam), Danang, and Hong Kong. This cruise is priced at US$3,569.
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| Crystal Cruises: Istanbul |
As cruising increases in popularity Singapore is set to become Asia's main cruise hub with its new facilities to handle the biggest cruise liners in the world. Capacity is to double by end 2010 with two berths at a new international cruise terminal capable of accommodating the largest ships in service as well as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's planned 5,400-passenger Genesis-class ships. The new facility will complement two existing berths at the Singapore Cruise Centre at Harbourfront. The terminals are a 15-minute drive from each other.
Several cruise lines, such as Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Costa Cruises, P&O, Princess and Silversea have made Singapore the home port or 'marquee' port for Asian ship deployments. Royal Caribbean and Silversea also opened offices in Singapore to play a more significant role in Asia. Singapore is a significant port of call for a variety of ships, including Cunard's Queen Victoria, and ships from Princess, P&O, Oceania, Holland America and Crystal cruise lines. That’s the long and short of Asian cruises. Don your hat, pour on the sun-block, and head off for some wild adventures.
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