Windstar's Asian Bonanza

As we've mentioned several times just recently, Asia is currently proving a boom area for the cruise world and it is a great time to get on board with this amazing region - and some special deals that seem to crop up on a regular basis.

The latest is from Windstar Cruises, who are currently featuring an exclusive offer for the line’s recently introduced Far East sailings. Guests can receive 2-for-1 cruise fares on any of the new Asia itineraries, two free hotel nights pre or post- cruise, and a free exclusive private event on shore during each voyage. As an added benefit to previous guests, the line also offers an additional 10% off the cruise fare to Yacht Club Members. 

 

Star Pride, Windstar’s all new, all suite power yacht (formerly the Seabourn Pride) will set sail for the Far East this October and voyages start from just $3,999, if booked by March 28 The ship's voyages include:

Singapore & the Malay Peninsula

Discover the melting pot of Malaysia and Thailand on this 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore, visiting Penang, Langkawi, Pulau Pangkor, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca, Malaysia, as well as Phuket, and Ko Yao Noi, Thailand. The free exclusive private event, Phuket: A Feast for the Senses, gives guests the opportunity to enjoy local culture with a Long Drum Parade and a private dinner at award-winning restaurant Sala Bua (Pavilion of Lotus).

Treasures of South-east Asia

Cruise in private yacht style on this 14-day voyage from the haute couture of Singapore’s legendary Orchard Road to French-flavored Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon) and the monuments of Hanoi. The voyage starts in Singapore and visits Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay, Vietnam, before ending in Hong Kong. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, is the perfect way to experience the best Vietnam has to offer in arts, crafts, culture and cuisine with a private performance of lion dances and dinner at Nam Long, a beautiful restaurant on the Thu Bon River.

Vietnam Unveiled

Vietnam combines beauty and culture in one perfect experience on Windstar’s 10-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong. Ports of call include Nha Trang, Qui Nhon, Da Nang, Hanoi (Haiphong), and Halong Bay. The free exclusive private event, Hoi An: Dreams of Floating Lanterns, allows guests to enjoy local culture and practice skills like Vietnamese letter drawing, lantern-making, and wood-engraving interactive workshops.

Pearls of the Indian Ocean

Sail through some of the Andaman Sea’s most breathtaking islands and bays and explore the colonial Old Towns, ancient cave temples and melting-pot cities on this 15-day voyage from Dubai, UAE, to Singapore. Star Pride visits Mumbai, Mangalore and Cochin, India; Phuket, Thailand; and Penang, Malaysia. This itinerary highlights everything from India’s colourful cities to the tranquil beauty of Thailand’s beaches.

More info: call (in the US) 1800 258 7245, or visit www.WindstarCruises.com.

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New Asian Adventures For Crystal

Those looking for the truly exotic shore excursions, would be well advised to pay attention to the latest range of possibilities from Crystal Cruises, who have just announced a new series of Crystal Adventures for their Asian voyages this year.

From drinks with former headhunters in Brunei to a monk induction ceremony in Myanmar, the ultra-luxury line has crafted an exciting schedule of excursions in this wonderful part of the world. Monasteries, rainforests, royal residences and tuk-tuks are among the 40 new shoreside outings showcasing both off-the-beaten-path port calls and major urban centres in Malaysia, Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan and India. 

Both Crystal Symphony and the recently-redesigned Crystal Serenity will be sailing 14 voyages in the region – twice as many as 2013 – this spring, with Symphony returning in late autumn. In all, Crystal is offering nearly 200 Adventures throughout Asia, with options to book them with Private Car and Driver in most ports.

 

Excursion highlights include:

• Bandar Seri Begawan: Be astounded by Brunei’s varied lifestyles, from the Sultan’s Palace - the world’s largest residential palace (above) - to more traditional homes, such as that of an over-water village and a longhouse, where former headhunting Ibans will welcome you with drinks, music and dance.
• Yangon: Witness the Novitiation Ceremony that inducts 1,000 male “Novices” into Buddhist monk-hood at the Kalaywa Monastery.
• Kota Kinabalu: Trek the rainforest of Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinabalu National Park; crab fish from a thatch-roofed raft while cruising through mangroves; or learn island traditions such as making robes from tree bark or a Malay bread called roti canai. 
• Lombok: At Bali’s less-visited sister island, learn about the local craftsmanship of ikat dyed fabrics and pearl production or visit a traditional Sasak village, where men still sleep outside their thatched houses to protect their daughters from being kidnapped into marriage. 
• Makassar: Travel to a 17^th-century king’s traditional adat house for food and dance from local villagers, visit the Dutch East India Company’s Fort Rotterdam or sightsee via pedicab. 
• Andaman Islands: Tuk-tuk to Britain’s former jail for Indian revolutionaries or learn about local agricultural arts at a spice farm and rubber plantation. 
• Penang: Stroll the 130-year-old Waterfall Gardens, then enjoy a cocktail at the prestigious Eastern & Oriental Hotel, the precursor to Singapore’s famed Raffles Hotel. 
• Tokyo: Participate in eastern Asian shodo handwriting and a traditional sado tea ceremony at a Japanese garden or tour sites of more recent history, such as Nissan’s Global HQ and the Cup Noodles Museum.

 

In addition to the day trips, two new multi-night Overland Adventures are offered from Shanghai and Chan May, visiting Xi-an and Beijing on the first and Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City on the latter.

 

In 2014, five- to 15-night all-inclusive voyages are available to/from Bali, Singapore, Hong Kong, Kota Kinabalu, Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing, Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki and Shanghai starting from £1,836 per person, cruise only, if booked by February 28.  

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

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate for 2014, see this link. 

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Crystal Highlight Best Of Asia By Land

When it comes to destination-focused cruising, here at World of Cruising we like to think we have our finger firmly on the pulse. And it seems several cruise lines share our passion for destinations, judging by this latest idea for Far East touring from Crystal Cruises.

From February through April, Crystal is offering its largest collection of Overland Adventures in Asia. A total of 15 one- and two-night optional, mid-cruise journeys will take guests far from the ports of Yangon, Shanghai, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Xiamen and Chan May for in-depth, intimate explorations of renowned sites, history, culture and nature.

All Overland Adventures include air, shuttle and/or boat transport to and from ports; meals, featuring traditional fare such as Peking Duck or a Myanmar-style royal dinner and show; and luxury accommodations such as Bangkok’s Peninsula, Siem Reap’s Sokha Hotel and Myanmar’s Aureum Palace Hotel.

Next winter, spring and autumn, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity sail through China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and India on 31 five- to 29-night itineraries, including shorter Crystal Getaways and extended combination cruises. Cruise only fares for the 2014 Asia itineraries start from £1,070 per person if booked by January 3. Asian Overland Adventures fares start from $869 per person, double occupancy.

More info: 020 7399 7601 or visit www.crystalcruises.co.uk.

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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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Windstar Cruises Announces 2015 Winter Voyage Collection

Windstar Cruises 2014-15 Winter Caribbean & Panama Canal voyages are now open for sale, with the line's three sailing yachts exploring the warm waters of the islands and Latin America with four unique voyages, including Classic Caribbean, a new seven-day round trip itinerary from St. Maarten. 

The 2015 Winter Collection, showcasing voyages from December 2014 to March 2015, is rounded out with the recently announced South-east Asia & Arabia voyages on the all-suite Star Pride.

Yacht style cruising is the perfect way to explore the pristine beaches of the Caribbean, with every voyage offering Windstar’s signature beach barbecue, an exclusive party on shore in intimate and exclusive style. Guests can also enjoy the tropical waters right from the yacht, with each ship's Watersports Platform, which offers complimentary sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water games.

The Caribbean & Panama Canal voyages include:

Classic Caribbean
From the stunning drama of the Pitons, to the captivating charm of Les Saintes, this seven-day cruise showcases the best of the Caribbean in one voyage. Wind Surf sails round-trip from Philipsburg, St. Maarten, with visits to Barbuda; Pigeon Island, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; Les Saintes, Guadeloupe; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Gustavia, St. Barthelemy. Highlights include the pink beaches of Barbuda and scenic cruising past the Pitons.

Jewels of the Windward Islands
Sail to little-known isles off the tourist radar such as the unspoiled Grenadines and the rugged natural beauty of St. Lucia. Wind Star offers seven-day sailings round-trip from Barbados with stops at Pigeon Island; St. George’s Grenada; Mayreau, Tobago Cays, St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Mayreau, St. Vincent & the Grenadines; and Bequia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Highlights include Grand Etang National Park on Grenada and scenic cruise past the Pitons.

Yachtsman’s Caribbean
Experience a yachtsman’s paradise while visiting exclusive ports like glamorous St. Barts and the enchanting British Virgin Islands. Sail on Windstar’s flagship, Wind Surf on a seven day round trip from Philipsburg, calling on Falmouth Harbour, Antigua (overnight); Soper’s Hole, Tortola, B.V.I; Jost Van Dyke, B.V.I. (overnight); Virgin Gorda, Prickly Pear Beach, B.V.I. (overnight); and Gustavia. Highlights include local treasure at Soper’s Hole Wharf and a sail by The Baths.

Passage Through Panama
Explore the natural and man-made wonders of beautiful Costa Rica and the impressive Panama Canal on this seven-day sailing from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica or Colón, Panama. Wind Spirit will visit Bahía Drake, Costa Rica; Golfito, Costa Rica; Isla de Coiba, Panama; Panama Canal Transit; and San Blas, Panama. Highlights include Corcovado National Park and Golfito’s rainforest.

Star Pride, Windstar’s first all-suite power yacht, will spend its Winter season in South-east Asia & Arabia, sailing the following voyages:

• Wonders of Arabia – From Athens to Dubai, this 18-day voyage showcases the Red Sea, the Nile and the rose-coloured ruins of Petra.
• Pearls of the Indian Ocean – On this 15-day voyage from Dubai to Singapore, guests enjoy everything from India’s colourful cities to the tranquil beauty of Thailand’s beaches.
• Singapore & the Malay Peninsula – long days in port and blissfully beautiful destinations can be found on this 10-day round trip voyage from Singapore.
• Treasures of South-east Asia – This 14-day voyage round-trip from Singapore explores the ancient trading city of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, Hue and Halong Bay.
• Vietnam Unveiled – Guests can visit Imperial Hue, ancient Hoi An, breathtaking Halong Bay, and amazing Ho Chi Minh City on this 10-day voyage from Ho Chi Minh City to Hong Kong.

New 2014 Voyage Collection Brochure

Windstar also recently unveiled its expanded, 128-page 2014 Voyage Collection brochure, which features Star Pride’s inaugural season and over 25 exciting itineraries.

More info: call 0207 292 2387 or visit WindstarCruises.com.

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Winter Escapes With Silversea

Silversea has announced a selection of blissful Winter Sun voyages that all include complimentary airfare. The offer is available on select voyages including Asian and Caribbean cruises that are sailing in early 2013 and include generous onboard spending credits of up to $1,000 per suite. The credits can be used towards a wide range of onboard purchases, including shore excursions, spa treatments and premium dining.

Choose from:

AFRICA – Voyage 2302: Soar over South Africa’s magnificent Drakensberg mountain range by private helicopter, enjoy a city tour of Port Elizabeth and experience the Addo Elephant Park – 126,000 acres of bush country home to 300 elephants. Silver Wind sets sail on January 15 on a 10-day round-trip voyage from Cape Town. Prices start from £3,050 per person.

MEDITERRANEAN – Voyage 2305: Discover the Souks and Raids of Medina, experience the scenic interior of Madeira on a guided tour through the island's 'levadas' and explore the unusual vineyards of Lanzarote. Silver Wind sets sail on February 22 on an 8-day round-trip voyage from Las Palmas. Prices start from £1,650 per person.

ASIA – Voyage 3306: Sail the wondrous seascape of Ha Long Bay aboard local junks, discover the colourful streets of Hoi An and experience a local perspective on wartime memories and the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Silver Shadow sets sail on March 6 on a 9-day voyage from Hong Kong to Singapore and prices start from £2.650 per person.

ASIA – Voyage 3307: Explore the culture and heritage of Kuala Lumpur, discover your artistic side while learning the traditional art of Batik in Penang and take in the splendid natural beauty, landmarks and history of Phuket. Silver Shadow sets sail on March 15 on a 7-day round-trip voyage from Singapore. Prices start from £1,950 per person.

All prices based on double occupancy in a Vista suite and include free economy round-trip flights. 

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

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