A fascinating insight into the religions of Indonesia on a Voyages to Antiquity cruise in south-east Asia

Toraja Land, Indonesia, where the local people worship animals and plants

• The second in a series of guest blogs by Zoe Bromley-Fox, Land Programmes Manager of cruise line Voyages to Antiquity. The line’s one ship, Aegean Odyssey, returns to south-east Asia this winter for the first time since the winter of 2012-13. Zoe looks forward to the forthcoming visit by recalling highlights of the journey two years ago.

Indonesia is certainly a land full of mystery and intriguing ancient customs. One of the excursions that Voyages to Antiquity includes in the Southern Sulawesi area gives passengers a somewhat other-wordly experience. I will never forget one of the Indonesian bar waitresses staring at me fearfully wide-eyed as we headed off with the passengers to visit Toraja Land where the people practise a form of animism known as Aluk To Dolo.

The belief that animals, plants and inanimate objects possess a spiritual element is so fundamental to this region that many indigenous languages don’t even have a word for it. Operated from the slightly closer port of Palopo this season, but still with a scenic drive through the mountainous countryside, it also provides a fascinating insight into daily life as you pass through numerous rural villages.

From a more archaeological perspective, the UNESCO tongue-twister site of Borobudur on the island of Java is equally as captivating and compared in brilliance to the Parthenon by Arnold Toynbee. We visit the complex from the port of Semarang, and I also remember that the police escort service that cleared the Javanese roads to ensure the coaches arrived in good time was probably as impressive as the temple complex itself!

For details of Voyages to Antiquity’s cruises visiting Indonesia this winter, see here. Fares from £3,495 pp.

Click here to read Zoe's blog in full, with details of Aegean Odyssey's voyages and the excursions available.

The UNESCO-listed Borobodur on the Indonesian island of Java

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Take A Voyage of Discovery To India & South-East Asia

Boutique cruise line Voyages of Discovery are inviting bookings for their Autumn Sale, offering big savings on two major cruises to India and south-east Asia. 

The 16-day "Treasures of Asia" tour departs February 17 and showcases the highlights of Asia, from the frenetic capital of the Philippines to the beautiful temples of Cambodia. Other highlights on this itinerary include the opportunity to take in the world’s largest orang-utan sanctuary in Borneo, the stunning beaches in Cebu and The Temple of Dawn in Bangkok. As part of the Autumn Sale offer, prices for this cruise start now from £1,899 per person for an inside cabin. 

On the 20-day "Colours of the Indian Ocean" voyage departing March 4, guests will experience the magnificent temples and palaces of Bangkok and the colonial charm of Singapore before exploring the beauty of Malaysia and India. Highlights of this stunning itinerary include the opportunity to explore the breath-taking beauty of Kerala’s world-renowned backwaters, the tranquillity of the idyllic Andaman Islands and the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. Prices start from £2,118 per person for an inside cabin.

Prices for all cruises include return flights to/from the UK, gratuities onboard and ashore, all relevant overseas transfers, meals, a comprehensive series of Guest Speaker talks and selected shore excursions.

More info: visit  www.voyagesofdiscovery.co.uk or call 0844 488 0893.

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Crystal's Grand Far East Land Programme

Crystal Cruises is offering a new, complimentary inclusive three-night Extended Land Programme to Thailand and Cambodia with its March Asia-to-Africa World Cruise segment.

Prior to sailing from Singapore to Cape Town onboard Crystal Serenity, guests will embark on an exotic overland journey, first exploring Bangkok’s energetic markets, nightlife and heavenward temple spires, and then flying to Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they will visit some of the world’s most awe-inspiring spiritual monuments and landmarks such as:

• Angkor Wat – the world’s largest religious monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 12th century.
• The Grand Palace – a vast complex of buildings, pavilions and gardens, the palace has been the primary residence and official ceremonial site for Kings of Siam since 1782.
• Temples of the Emerald, Golden and Reclining Buddhas – the most sacred temple in Thailand, the world’s largest solid gold statue and one of the largest overall Buddha statues in the world, respectively.
• Angkor Night Market – open until at least midnight with more than 100 shops and merchants, the market sets the perfect scene for post-dinner shopping.
• Khmer Ruins – an array of ancient Cambodian architectural masterpieces, from Bayon Temple, known for its forest of heads and maze of dark rooms and galleries, to Ta Prohm, an Indiana Jones-like lost temple in the jungle, entwined in massive tree roots.
• Apsara Dance Performance – prima ballerinas from the Royal Ballet of Cambodia will perform this elaborate traditional dance exclusively for Crystal guests.

Included for guests sailing on the single “Temples & Safaris” itinerary (the fourth segment of Crystal’s 2014 World Cruise), the land programme begins on March 7 and features meals, inter-Asia transportation and a night at the Peninsula Bangkok, followed by two nights at the five-star Sokha Angkor Wat Resort. The cruise voyage begins March 10 with an onboard overnight in Singapore, then sails to Jakarta, Mauritius, Durban and Jakarta before finishing with an overnight in Cape Town.

With £452 per person in savings if booked by October 31, prices for the 21-night land/cruise itinerary start from £5,129 per person.

More info: call Crystal Cruises on 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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Winter Far East Special From Holland America

Holland America Line is offering an 11-night luxury cruise of Thailand, Vietnam and China from just £749 per person this winter. 

Departing from Singapore on December 1, the cruise heads for Thailand's spectacular eastern islands and calls at Koh Samui before making an overnight stop at Laem Chabang for two full days exploring the colourful capital of Bangkok. Next port of call is Pho My in Vietnam, where guests can immerse themselves in the bustle of Ho Chi Minh city or even take an authentic Vietnamese cooking course. 

The cruise continues to the port city of Da Nang, perfectly placed for exploring the charming Vietnamese town of Hoi An or the imperial city of Hue. The Volendam then calls at Ha Long Bay, where guests can experience the otherworldly landscape that make this beautiful spot so famous, or head for a day-trip to Hanoi, before sailing to Hong Kong, where the cruise ends.

While at sea, guests can also be pampered in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, experience the Culinary Arts Centre, which features cookery demonstrations, as well as sampling the Volendam’s choice of elegant restaurants and lounges.

This offer is based on two sharing an inside cabin on Holland America’s 'Far East Discovery' cruise, departing Singapore on December 1. The price includes 11 nights’ full board accommodation on Volendam, plus, there is an offer to upgrade to an oceanview stateroom for an extra £50.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Something To Look Forward To This Winter

We are now in full planning stages for our Winter edition (publishing December 20) and have a fine array of enticing features to look forward to, which should help to stave off the winter cold.

With some winter sun in mind, we will be heading first to Hawaii (above), for a look at what makes these islands such a special cruise destination in the company of Norwegian Cruise Line (the only line to sail among the islands year-round). It should be the ideal winter warmer and we look forward to making this our Cover Story for the new edition.

Tahiti and the South Seas are also on the menu, along with the blissful style of SeaDream Yacht Club on the French Riviera and the unique Ganges River voyages of Assam Bengal Navigation.

For more river-cruising style, we take a classic Rhine voyage with AMA Waterways, while we also take a look at the sparkling Adriatic coast of Croatia and visit Bangkok for an overnight stay.

When it comes to cruise ship style, cruising's No 1 writer Gary Buchanan will offer a detailed preview of 2013's Royal Princess of Princess Cruises and Steve Newman will sample the distinctive closer-to-home style of The Majestic Line in Scotland.

Of course, there will be lots more in the way of ship features, cruise news, reviews and all your views and comment. But hopefully this whets your appetite for the months ahead. Just be sure to have your subscription up to date!

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Take A Voyage Of Discovery In 2013/14

The new Winter 2013/14 season with Voyages of Discovery sees MV Voyager heading to the Far East with 21 new ports of call for the brand, including Dubai, Tokyo and San Remo through to itineraries in India, China, Myanmar, South Korea and Japan.  

The line's newest ship will also call at the bustling port of Bangkok (Thailand) and berth right in the heart of the city - a completely new venture for Voyages of Discovery, made possible due to the small size of Voyager. Voyages of Discovery is also offering a 5% early booking discount on all Winter 2013/14 bookings made by October 31. 

Highlights of the programme include:

• Asian Capitals and the Magic of Vietnam – A 19-day cruise from £2,399 per person. Passengers can explore Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore and Hong Kong before taking in the scenery of UNESCO listed beauty spot, Ha Long Bay (Vietnam). Price is based on a January 2, 2014, UK departure.

• Treasures of Asia – A 16-day cruise from £1,999 per person. Guests can discover the nature and wildlife in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. Highlights include a visit to Thailand’s bustling capital of Bangkok, Mount Kinabalu National Park (Malaysia) and the Angkor Wat temple (Cambodia). Price is based on a February 17, 2014, UK departure.

• Ancient Worlds and Modern Masterpieces – A 15-day cruise from £1,599 per person where passengers can experience the Suez and Corinth Canals. Price is based on an April 7, 2014, UK departure.

Guests can enjoy Voyager’s newly-enhanced features, including three restaurants offering a range of dining options and al fresco dining and flexible seating, the refreshed library area and the Lookout Lounge, which provides panoramic views from the front of the ship. Almost 90% of the cabins are outside cabins and 30 have balconies. All of the public areas on board will benefit from a light refurbishment including new art work and soft furnishings.

All Voyages of Discovery standard fares include return flights from the UK on fly cruises, all relevant overseas transfers, gratuities and service charges, meals and entertainment and the Guest Speaker programme on board the ship. A complimentary chauffeur service is available on higher grade cabin bookings. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's adventure-cruise specialists.

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Silversea's Double Brochure Bonus

Leading luxury cruise operator Silversea has released two new brochures which showcase more than 200 imaginative voyages sailing throughout 2013 to over 450 destinations on seven continents.

The new 176-page 2013 Voyages Atlas, covered by a design hinting at the luxurious travel experiences within, opens with several pages of stylish imagery and engaging content devoted to revealing the hallmarks of Silversea's unique luxury lifestyle.

It is devoted to the remarkable journeys of Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and Silver Spirit and provides a snapshot of "What's New" followed by detailed worldwide cruise itineraries by region, including shore excursion recommendations, descriptions of land programmes, deck plans and general information. A pricing summary booklet is contained in the back cover pocket.

Also just released is Silversea Expeditions' 2013 Voyages brochure. Formerly included within the company's main Atlas, it is now available as a stand-alone 48-page guide to Silver Explorer's amazing voyages of adventure. It highlights 27 expedition cruises sailing from pole to pole and to some of the world's most remote destinations in between.

2013 Highlights:

WORLD CRUISE 2013 - An epic 115-day journey from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale awaits guests when they board Silver Whisper on January 5. Crossing the equator four times, the itinerary will follow the tropical belt to 52 destinations in 28 countries with overnight stays in key ports. The warm-weather journey will explore an array of far-flung cultures and scenic wonders, including New Zealand and Australia's remote west coast; the idyllic isles of French Polynesia; fascinating Asian cities of Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; and Africa's rarely seen west coast. Guests may choose to extend their voyage an additional three days to disembark in New York, or 15 days to disembark in Southampton.

GRAND VOYAGES - Created for travellers who can spare the time and prefer a more immersive experience in the lands they visit, this special collection offers extended voyages from 26 to 54 days. These unique odysseys combine the luxury of sailing aboard the line's elite, all-suite ships with expanded journeys to diverse regions of the world, featuring visits to must-see traditional ports, as well as exotic destinations that are off the beaten path -- all on one cruise.

SOUTH PACIFIC VOYAGE - From the glamorous City of Angels to the moonlit beaches of Bora Bora and the sheer, emerald cliffs of Kauai's Na Pali coast and back, guests will enjoy a 31-day round-trip journey exploring the enchanting cultures of the South Pacific. This uniquely immersive voyage departs February 1 from Los Angeles aboard Silver Spirit. 

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruise specialists.

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Orion's Flavours Of Asia

From the flash of saffron robes in a Buddhist temple to the remote crystalline beaches of Tioman Island and the bustle of floating market stalls on the Mekong, the whiff of durian, the silence of a misty dawn in Halong Bay or the buzz of motor bikes in Ho Chi Minh City, Orion Expedition Cruises now offer two superb seven-night voyages that combine the sensory contrasts of Asia into never-to-be forgotten experiences of sights, sounds and smells that encapsulate South-East Asia.

Enjoy an inclusive overnight stay and visit to the world’s largest religious complex, the World Heritage listed temples of Angkor Wat. Take an early morning elephant ride through the temples to see first-hand the technological and architectural wonder of the ancient Khmer kingdom, with its canals and reservoirs and a rice economy able to support a million people.

Cross the broad muddy waters of the Mekong Delta and mix it with the locals on an exclusive Zodiac exploration of the river and floating markets – Orion II being the first foreign ship to be granted permission to do this.

Bargain for batik, beaten brassware and shot silk in dazzling colours, sip a dry martini, lounge on an untouched beach, snorkel transparent waters and photograph sampans with their distinctive timber hulls and sun-bleached yellow sails. These two itineraries reveal a balance of history, culture and relaxation that capture the energy of bustling modern Asia balanced by the serenity of the ancient.

· The seven-night Gulf of Siam Explorer departs October 10 and December 22 and February 27, 2012. The voyages alternate between Singapore and Bangkok and visit Tioman Island, Kuala Terengganu, Ko Samui, Ang Thong Marine Park and Ko Kut. Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on board Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

· The seven-night Thailand, Temples & The Mekong expedition departs October 17 and December 15, and March 5, 2012. The voyages alternate between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City and visit Ko Kut, Sihanoukville (for an overnight trip and stay at Angkor Wat), Phu Quoc and Can Tho (Mekong Delta). Priced from £3,340 per person, including seven nights on Orion II, all meals, entertainment and educational programmes, use of the ship’s sporting equipment and facilities, Zodiac excursions, port and handling charges, tender transfers and government fees and taxes.

For more info, visit www.orionexpeditions.com or contact the UK's leading adventure-cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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Think Exotic With P&O

P&O Cruises is offering a new collection of exotic fly-cruise holidays on four ships in early 2013, with an array of 50 new holidays on offer on the Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Azura.

These exotic cruises are presented in a new Winter Holidays brochure, combined with cruises on the other three ships in the P&O Cruises fleet – Oceana, Oriana and Ventura – featuring holidays throughout the winter to the Caribbean, Canary Islands and Mediterranean.

All cruises in the Winter Holidays brochure can be viewed online at www.pocruises.co.uk. Cruises on Oceana, Oriana and Ventura are on sale now and the new exotic cruises can be booked from July 15.

The new exotic fly-cruise holidays combine iconic, far-flung destinations and start from just 13 nights in duration and £989 per person, based on Azura’s Mumbai to Singapore voyage, calling in Colombo, Langkawi, Bangkok (from Laem Chabang) and Singapore.

Free onboard spending money, which increases per person depending on the grade of cabin booked, and Early Booking savings are available for bookings made before November 30. In addition, an extra 10% discount is available for bookings made by August 31.

For more info, seet www.pocruises.co.uk or, to book, contact the specialist cruise agents of The Cruise Line Ltd.

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Silversea Adds More Relais & Chateau Voyages

Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is pleased to announce that four additional voyages this year will feature the exclusive "Relais & Châteaux L'École des Chefs" interactive cooking school.

"Our L'École des Chefs cooking school is proving extremely popular with guests and we're pleased to roll it out to more voyages this year," said Rudi Scholdis, Silversea's director of culinary development.

The new L'École des Chefs voyages for 2011 are:

NORTHERN EUROPE

Voyage 4122: Silver Whisper departs Stockholm July 23 on a seven-day sailing to Copenhagen with calls in Tallinn, St. Petersburg (three-day/two-night stopover) and Helsinki. Silver Savings fares start at £3,068.

Voyage 1121: Silver Cloud departs Copenhagen July 30 on a 17-day round-trip sailing, with calls in Alesund, Geiranger, Helleysilt, Lofoten, Tromso, Honningsvag (North Cape), Murmansk, Archangel (overnight visit), Hammerfest and Kristiansund. Silver Savings fares start at £5,583.

FAR EAST

Voyage 3126: Silver Shadow departs Incheon (Seoul) September 23 on a 12-day sailing to Hong Kong, with calls in Qingdao, Shanghai, Jiangyin, Nanjing and Xiamen. Highlights include cruising the Yangtze River and overnight stays in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Silver Savings fares start at £3,968.

Voyage 3127: Silver Shadow departs Hong Kong October 5 on a 12-day sailing to Singapore with calls in Chan May, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Ko Samui, and Kuantan. Highlights include overnight stays in Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok. Silver Savings fares start at £3,968.

Through its exclusive partnership with Relais & Châteaux, the distinguished international association of charming properties and gourmet restaurants, Silversea enjoys the privilege of featuring the only Relais & Châteaux L'École des Chefs cooking school at sea. The innovative programme offers guests a special culinary curriculum, including hands-on instruction, and entertaining events hosted by Silversea culinary trainer David Bilsland. Educated in classic French cooking, Bilsland's career includes several years as a chef instructor at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. He presents a programme developed in collaboration with Jacques Thorel, the owner of L'Auberge Bretonne and a consulting Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux.

The curriculum for each of these cruises is carefully designed to celebrate the cultural flavour of the ship's itinerary. Highlights include specialised workshops covering a range of topics from basic knife skills and kitchen terminology to sauces and baking; cooking demonstrations with wine pairings and interactive Q&A sessions; lively cooking competitions between Chef Bilsland and the ship's own culinary team; a "Lunch and Learn" event offering small groups of guests a chance to sample a delicious meal of specially prepared dishes; and inspired "Take It Home" recipes that will give guests an edge when entertaining at home.

Also offered on certain voyages, when the itinerary permits, is a "Market to the Plate" experience that provides an escorted tour of a local market followed by a cooking class, and a "Culinary Outing," an instructor-escorted excursion to a local restaurant, hotel or other venue where guests can enjoy a unique culinary exploration.

All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a Vista Suite and include complimentary return economy class air, port charges, government fees and taxes. The $500 (V4122 and V1121) and $1,000 (V3126 and V3127) Onboard Spending Credit is offered per suite, based on two people sharing, for use towards additional benefits such as shore excursions, the spa, boutiques or the wine restaurant.

For more info, visit www.silversea.com or contact the UK's leading luxury cruise specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd at 0800 008 6677.

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Celebrity's First Asia Season Now On Sale

Celebrity Cruises has announced its first-ever season sailing in Asia in the winter of 2012/13, and the series of voyages on Celebrity Millennium is now on sale, visiting nine countries new to the brand, including Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Celebrity's inaugural Asian season will consist of a series of 14-night open-jaw cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong and includes overnight stays in Singapore, Bangkok (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Halong Bay (Vietnam) and Hong Kong. The season also will include two 14-night sailings round-trip from Singapore with overnight stays in Bali (Indonesia) in January 2013.

At either end of Millennium’s Asia season will be two trans-Pacific sailings. The westbound cruise will coincide with the total solar eclipse in November 2012. Guests will be able to view the eclipse while at sea when sailing from Fiji to New Zealand. In April 2013, the ship will reposition from Hong Kong to Shanghai on a cruise featuring overnight calls in Hong Kong and Beijing (Tianjin). Millennium will then continue eastbound across the North Pacific to Alaska and will call at various ports in China, Japan, and Russia.

Guests can also take advantage of one of Celebrity's signature cruise-tours, which combine a cruise with a five-night pre or post-cruise escorted land package out of Hong Kong. They will feature trips to Xian and Beijing to view the famed Terracotta Warriors and the Great Wall of China. All of these packages are escorted by a local tour director and include hotel accommodations, transportation, select activities, breakfasts and some additional meals.

While sailing, a variety of shore excursions are available. A number of overnight stays in port will offer the opportunity to enjoy two or three-day excursions, with examples including a two-night/three-day overland experience from Bangkok to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat (Cambodia). The tour focuses on the temples of Angkor to see the best examples of stone carvings recovered from temples across Cambodia.

During cruises that include an overnight stay in port at Halong Bay (Hanoi), an overnight shore excursion offers a visit to the Old Quarter of the city; an opportunity to witness unique Vietnamese performing arts at the Hanoi Water Puppet Theatre; dinner at a traditional restaurant; and an overnight stay in a leading hotel.

For more info, see www.celebritycruises.co.uk or contact the cruise agent specialists of The Cruise Line Ltd on 0800 008 6677.

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