Eastern cruising

• Travel to the Orient is now more affordable than ever before.
  
• So if you've dreamed of exploring the pagodas, gardens and temples of the East, there'll never be a better time to give it a whirl - nor a better way to explore the region than by cruise ship
  
  Back to top
  
  Why take a cruise?
  
• The great joy of cruising around the Far East is that you can pack a huge amount of adventure and variety into a couple of weeks - without having to pack and unpack suitcases as you go.
  
• Whichever cruise itinerary you choose, you'll experience a rich melting pot of cultures and return home with some wonderful memories.
  
• Many parts of the Orient remain largely undiscovered - Vietnam is just opening up to tourism, while the tiny islands which surround Langkawi in Malaysia are real Robinson Crusoe territory.
  
• A cruise of the Far East is an unforgettable kaleidoscope of incense-filled temples, verdant forests, soft beaches, vibrant markets and sophisticated cities.
  
• And you can bring plenty of that Eastern spice home with you - in the shape of fine antiques, Chinese jade, elegant jewellery and gorgeous silks, as well as fake designer goods - great presents for fashion conscious teenagers.
  
• Cruising literally takes the sweat out of touring the Far East. In the humid Oriental climate, it's bliss to end a sticky day's shopping and sightseeing enjoying a sundowner-with-a-view out on deck as your floating hotel gently steams toward her next destination - and you prepare for a slap-up dinner.
  
• Less adventurous diners can rest assured that there will be plenty of good quality Western dishes on the menu for them to enjoy, while those who like to get a taste of the destinations they're visiting will find local specialities included in the ship's cuisine.
  
  Back to top
  
  When to go
  
• The Far East is traditionally a winter sun destination, but cruises are available all year round.
  
• Fly/cruises which include hotel stays are cheaper in the summer months because hotel prices fall during the off season. Broadly speaking, this lasts from May until September, when humidity is at its highest and rain most likely. Conditions vary from country to country; Singapore - base port of many Far East cruises - has a fair amount of rainfall year-round but is clammiest in May and September, while Thailand's monsoon season stretches from May to October and Vietnam is hot and almost completely dry from October to April
  
  Back to top
  
  What to pack
  
• ALWAYS pack a small umbrella - the hassle of carrying it will be far outweighed by the convenience of having it to hand, as sudden downpours are the norm in several parts of the Far East.
  
• Equally essential is an ample supply of any medication you need; all ships have doctors who can give emergency supplies to the forgetful, but it's a lot more expensive than the NHS - and a waste of good cruising time!
  
• On most ships, two or three formal outfits will get you through the cruise - you only really need to glitz up for the Captain's Welcome and Farewell dinners. A good rule of thumb is that the more expensive the ship, the more Ritzy the passengers are likely to be - take more swish outfits if you're travelling five or six star.
  
• For daytime exploring, light cotton clothing is best. But remember to pack at least one sturdy woolly for the flight - and to counteract the effects of air conditioning. And take at least one pair of comfortable shoes for doing the sights.
  
  Back to top
  
  Ports of call
  
• itineraries are as rich and varied as the Orient itself; some cruises will take you off track to explore relatively unchartered territory like Vietnam; others will carry you to China to stroll along the world famous Great Wall - the only manmade landmark which can be seen from Space.
  
• The beaches and temples of Thailand are on the menu on some cruises, the bustling malls and markets of Hong Kong and Singapore on others.
  
  Here are just a few of the options...
  
• In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City - the former Saigon - retains many relics of its distant past, in the shape of graceful Chinese pagodas and elegant boulevards lined with NeoClassical buildings from the days of French rule.
  
• Another port, Nha Trang, is famed for its beautiful beaches and its ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers, which were built between the 7th and 12th Centuries and have silver plated walls. And 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.
  
• In Thailand, Bangkok and Phuket are familiar names to British tourists, and both are famous for great shopping. Colourful floating markets, gold-encrusted ancient wats (temples) and yellow-robed Buddhist monks are part of Bangkok's unique appeal; Phuket has gorgeous beaches, great nightlife and bargains galore.
  
• But on some cruises you can go far beyond the usual haunts and take a pre or post-cruise tour to discover aspects of the country most travellers never encounter - like the golden spires and bronze Buddhas of the Wat Doi Suthep, which lies on a hilltop in Chiang Mai.
  
• Beijing is a must on any cruise to China. The capital city is filled with relics of China's imperial past, notably the Forbidden City, a vast panoply of exquisite courtyards, gardens and pavilions.
  
• Shanghai, a major port and China's largest city, is wonderfully atmospheric; teeming with bicycles it boasts some of China's greatest treasures, like the Jade Buddha Temple.
  
• Nearby Wuxi is also worth a visit; its Grand Canal and complex system of waterways have earned it the nickname "the Venice of the Orient".
  
• For foodies, a visit to China's gateway Canton is essential - and you can walk off all that luscious food at the Academy - with its pillared courtyards and red lacquered roofs it is a classic example of traditional Chinese architecture.
  
  
  Back to top
  
  The cruise liners
  CRYSTAL CRUISES
  Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony cruises the Far East from Hong Kong to Dubai as one sector of its World Cruise Voyage. Departing from Hong Kong, the luxurious ship will call at the maiden ports of Hon Gai, Vietnam; Kampong Som, Kampuchea; Yangon, Myanmar; and Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  
  HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES
  Holland America Line has the Nieuw Amsterdam on a programme of Far East cruises in winter; a 17-day fly/cruise, includes calls at Osaka and Nagasaki in Japan, Pusan in South Korea and Xingang, Shanghai and Xiamen in China. Far East prices start at £2,065 pp.
  
  ORIENT-EXPRESS
  Orient-Express Cruises offer a voyage of South East Asian discovery on board its luxury river cruiser ‘Road To Mandalay’ which meanders down the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar (Burma). Offering 3, 4 and 7 night cruises between Mandalay and Bagan, guests can soak up the dramatic landscapes and visit the glories of a civilisation more than 2,500 years old.
  
  PRINCESS CRUISES
  Princess Cruises has plenty of experience in the Far East and operates the largest ship in the area, Sky Princess. Cruises call at Shanghai, Japan and Hong Kong and feature a choice of three or four night Beijing and China land-based tours which dovetail with the voyage. Other cruises include Vietnam, Bangkok and Singapore.
  
  RADISSON SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
  Seven Seas Mariner, Radisson’s six star luxury ship holding just 700 guests, cruises the Far East in autumn with itineraries to Hong Kong and on through to Tokyo on 11 and 14 night cruises. The sights, sounds, and smells of these incredibly ancient, yet modern, lands must be experienced to be believed. A visit to the Orient is one of life’s great travel experiences.
  
  ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL
  Royal Caribbean International’s Legend of the Seas repeats its highly successful Royal Journeys programme which include two Far East reverse itineraries. Ports of call include Singapore, Phuket, Penang, Ko Samui and Vung Tau in Vietnam.
  
  SEABOURN CRUISE LINE
  Seabourn Cruise Line, offering all-suite accommodation, exceptional cuisine, complimentary wines and spirits and inclusive gratuities, has the Seabourn Spirit on a range of Oriental cruises during the winter months. Cruises include a 14-day South China Sea Adventure which leaves Singapore bound for Hong Kong via Thailand and Vietnam.
  
  SINGAPORE STAR CRUISES
  Singapore-based Star Cruises was founded in 1993 and has become one of the largest cruise companies in the world. It specialises in the Far East and Asia, visiting three countires in five days. Superstar Gemini, Star Cruises’ 800 passenger ship, is dedicated to the international markets of the UK and Europe. Star Cruises introduced in 1998 the first year- round seven-night cruise in Asia. It also offers a three and two-night itinerary departing weekly. The itineraries include visits to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Thailand, and are featured in many UK tour operators’ brochures.
  
  SWAN HELLENIC
  Cultural cruise specialist Swan Hellenic is famous for taking its passengers to more off-beat ports of call. New ports include Rangoon and Burma. Swan Hellenic has introduced new Cruise & Beach, Cruise & City and Cruise & Tour land options this year for passengers who want to spend a few days getting under the skin of the destination before or after their cruise.
  
  Back to top