FTB60: Asia Cruising

BRIDGE FROM THE

ISSUE 60

CRUISECO PRESENTS

WINTER 2019

LUXURY POLAR EXPEDITIONS

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Journey on Silversea’s luxury ice-class ship Silver Cloud Expedition

Discover the new Pinnacle-class ship Nieuw Statendam

Nautica’s

EASTERN REVELATIONS Explore Asia aboard Oceania Cruises’ luxurious Nautica as she sails one of Cruiseco’s exclusive packages WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF YOUR LOCAL CRUISECO CRUISE SPECIALIST

THE ALLURE OF

Why Australians are heading to the East for their next cruise experience.

WORDS: RODERICK EIME

2 WINTER 2019

COVER STORY

T

he Oriental cruise has long held appeal for the adventurous traveller. The iconic ports of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore, in particular, have attracted cruise guests for decades. Today, many cruise lines visit Asia, with voyages to and from those locations growing in popularity faster than journeys to anywhere else on the planet.

Given the allure of bargain shopping, authentic cuisine and splendid sightseeing coupled with the luxury and convenience of modern cruise ships, it’s easy to see why Australian cruise fans are heading to Asia for their next travel experience at sea. Add to that the economical and regular air links to many Asian ports and you have an irresistible combination.

You can probably name several wellknown cruise lines that regularly visit Asia but you might be surprised just how many there are today. Dream Cruises, Princess Cruises, Star Clippers, Seabourn and Oceania Cruises are just some of the lines offering superior fly, cruise and stay itineraries in Asia with Cruiseco.

Dream Cruises’ Asian Explorer Here’s an Asian cruise line you’ve probably never travelled with. Operating out of Singapore and Hong Kong with two ships launched in 2016 and 2017, Dream Cruises offers experiences that are high-end and still suitable for the entire family, with myriad dining and entertainment options on board.

Dream Cruises’ Asian Explorer itinerary on Explorer Dream kicks off in vibrant Shanghai, a city that has grown from

a cosmopolitan trading centre to an ultra-modern metropolis, and proceeds to Sydney over 21 nights via key ports such as Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City, Singapore, Bali and Darwin. It’s a real “highlights of Asia” cruise.

Package fares start from AU$5095 per person, twin share, and include: Economy Class airfare from Australia to Shanghai, departing October 4, 2019; 2-night pre-cruise stay at Radisson Blu New World Hotel Shanghai, including breakfast; The Best of Shanghai full-day tour to visit Yu Yuan Garden, the Museum of Ancient Chinese Art and the Jade Buddha Temple; 21-night cruise from Shanghai to Sydney aboard Explorer Dream; all main meals and entertainment on board (excludes specialty restaurants); transfers between airport, hotel and port in Shanghai; and port charges, handling fees and air taxes.

Princess Cruises’ Southeast Asia Grand Adventure Princess Cruises’ 26-night Southeast Asia Grand Adventure return cruise from Fremantle on Sun Princess is a gift What do itinerary for Western

Australians or anyone keen enough to join the ship in this historic port just south of Perth. Visiting the renowned WA Maritime Museum and Rottnest Island, a short ferry ride away, is the perfect way to spend a day.

Sun Princess is already a firm favourite with Australian cruisers; the 2000-guest ship was refurbished in 2018 and now regularly spends extended periods in our waters. A popular new dining experience is Share by Curtis Stone.

This perfectly crafted South-East Asian itinerary blends the scenic, spiritual and sumptuous wonders of the region with the beachside bliss of Lombok, Sihanoukville and Bali. Take the famous Buddhist and retail temples of Bangkok, the slick sophistication of Singapore and the frantic hubbub of downtown Ho Chi Minh City and you have a total Asian experience, without the worry of luggage limits.

Fares start from AU$4345 per person, twin share, and include: 26-night return cruise from Fremantle aboard Sun Princess, departing November 2, 2019; all main meals and entertainment on board (excludes specialty restaurants); and government fees and port charges.

rockeries, rebellions and dragon walls have in common? Find out at Yu Yuan Garden in Shanghai.

Sun Princess is a favourite with Australian cruisers

Shanghai’s Yu Yuan Garden is a wonder to explore

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Transform yourself from mere traveller to intrepid explorer with Seabourn’s impeccably curated Asia, India & Arabia itinerary from South-East Asia to Arabia via the Subcontinent on luxury small ship Seabourn Ovation.

Regional foods are sensational

Seabourn’s Asia, India & Arabia

Experience authentic Thailand on Star Clippers’ Explore Southeast Asia itinerary

Star Clippers’ Explore Southeast Asia

Seabourn Ovation is lavishly appointed

To see Star Clipper under full sail is truly wondrous

4 WINTER 2019

Come aboard Star Clipper for the 7-night cruise component of the Explore Southeast Asia itinerary, sailing from the hedonistic island haven of Phuket return on this delightful re-creation of a 19th-century clipper ship. With her 3345m2 of sails fully unfurled, she cuts an exquisite figure.

The itinerary, which includes the stunning limestone karst islands around Phang Nga Bay, also calls at the important ports of Penang. It’s not just an elegant cruise, it’s also a revival of a romantic era of trade and commerce that thrived in Asia more than 100 years ago.

Package fares start from AU$4030 per person, twin share, and include: Economy Class airfare from Australia to Phuket, return; 3-night pre-cruise stay at Amari Phuket, including breakfast; 7-night cruise from Phuket return, departing December 7, 2019, aboard Star Clipper; all main meals and entertainment on board; transfers between airport, hotel and port throughout; and port charges, cruise gratuities, government fees and air taxes. Bonus: Euro 200 OBC per person.

Transform yourself from mere traveller to intrepid explorer with Seabourn’s impeccably curated Asia, India & Arabia itinerary from South-East Asia—via the Subcontinent—to Arabia on luxury small ship Seabourn Ovation. Departing Singapore, the cruise goes to Yangon— formerly Rangoon and a trading centre in British colonial times—then on to tropical Cochin and India’s cultural hub, Mumbai.

It winds up in sublime Oman before guests disembark in ultra-modern Dubai.

Seabourn Ovation, which entered service in 2018, is one of the luxury line’s newest ships. She carries just 600 guests in a style akin to a floating mansion replete with more than 1600 works of art and lavish appointments in all public areas and suites.

Package fares start from AU$12,384 per person, twin share, and include: Economy Class airfare from Australia to Singapore, departing March 12, 2020, returning from Dubai; 2-znight pre-cruise stay at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, including breakfast; 22-night cruise from Singapore to Dubai aboard Seabourn Ovation; all main meals and entertainment on board (excludes specialty restaurants); 2-night post-cruise stay at Conrad Dubai, including breakfast; transfers between airport, hotel and port throughout; and port charges, cruise gratuities, government fees and air taxes.

COVER STORY

Did you know?

IN INDIA, PEOPLE OF THE HINDU FAITH REVERE THE ELEPHANT AS A SACRED ANIMAL. THIS IS BECAUSE GANESHA, THE HINDU GOD OF NEW BEGINNINGS AND REMOVER OF OBSTACLES, IS OFTEN DEPICTED IN THE FORM OF AN ELEPHANT. WINTER 2019 5

Oceania Cruises’ Eastern Revelations

Oceania Cruises’ package itinerary includes a 2-night pre-cruise stay in Tokyo

Enjoy the calm of Nan Lian Garden in Hong Kong

ShinjukuStation IS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST RAILWAY STATION. WITH 53 PLATFORMS AND WELL OVER 200 EXITS, A VISIT IS AT THE TOP OF MANY MUST-DO LISTS WHEN IN JAPAN.

The historic significance of Oceania Cruises’ comprehensive Eastern Revelations itinerary from Tokyo to Singapore is not to be understated.

Oceania’s Nautica has enjoyed a reputation for luxury and reliability in the up-market cruise sector and her journey through these busy maritime trade routes harks back to a time when pleasure cruises to ports such as Hiroshima, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City were in their infancy.

Today, more than ever, these energetic ports deliver visitor satisfaction with exciting shopping, dining and cultural attractions, all of which will be visited during this three-week journey. Two nights of included quality accommodation at either end will give you the chance to further explore Tokyo and Singapore.

Hyatt Regency Tokyo is in the bustling Shinjuku district, which is known for shopping and night-life and is well served by the city’s super-efficient rail network.

Package fares start from AU$11,795 per person, twin share, and include: Economy Class airfare from Australia to Tokyo, departing April 11, 2020, returning from Singapore; 2-night precruise stay at Hyatt Regency Tokyo, including breakfast; 18-night cruise from Tokyo (Yokohama) to Singapore aboard Nautica; all main meals and entertainment on board; 2-night post-cruise stay at York Hotel Singapore, including breakfast; transfers between airport, hotel and port throughout; and port charges, cruise gratuities, government fees and air taxes.

For more tantalising Asian itineraries, ask your travel agent for a copy of Cruiseco Collections Asia: Fly, Cruise and Stay Holidays.

Travel journalist and photographer Roderick Eime has been on a seemingly never-ending cruise for the past 20 years, picking up several awards on the way while filing for major newspapers, magazines and websites.

6 WINTER 2019