This was published 9 years ago
The Cruise Director: Asia's new love of cruising
By SALLY MACMILLAN
Dining area aboard the Seabourn Odyssey.
River cruisers are spoilt for choice when they head to Asia these days and now the major ocean cruise lines are ramping up their presence in the region. While they are aiming to attract passengers from the rapidly expanding cruise markets in China, Korea and Japan, you can be sure plenty of Australian cruisers will be keen to jump on board too. There are direct flights to cruise hubs Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai and fascinating destinations to explore in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and China.
In a move that has created enormous interest in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean is sending its newest megaship, Quantum of the Seas, to China. After the ship has completed its inaugural winter season from New York to the Caribbean, it will be home-ported in Shanghai from May, 2015. The keenly anticipated Quantum joins fleetmates Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas in Asia. (Voyager of the Seas will be cruising in and around Australia from November 2014 to April 2015.)
Princess Cruises' Sapphire Princess has just started its inaugural season from Shanghai. It will operate a series of three-to five-day cruises that take in famous cities in Japan and South Korea, as well as longer "grand adventure" itineraries that visit Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Bali, Malaysia and Thailand.
A Penthouse Suite.
Next year, Diamond Princess will be sailing from Yokohama (for Tokyo) and Kobe, to more than 20 destinations in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Russia.
Holland America Line's Volendam is also doing a series of cruises in Asia. From December 2014 to March 2015 it will sail three 14-day round-trip cruises from Singapore, calling at ports in Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar. Volendam has three 14-day cruises between Singapore and Hong Kong in the same period; ports of call include Koh Samui (Thailand), Sihanoukville (Cambodia) and stops in Vietnam.
P&O Cruises is launching its new SeaAsia itineraries next year. Pacific Jewel will be based in Fremantle, from where you can take a 12-night cruise to Lombok, Bali and Komodo Island in Indonesia, or a 14-night cruise to Singapore calling at ports in Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The Spa on deck nine.
There are the ships following the sun on their annual world cruises, offering segments in Asia and the Far East. The key season is our spring/summer and it's coming up sooner than you'd think.
sally.macmillan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
SHIPSHAPE: SEABOURN ODYSSEY
LAUNCHED: June 2009; Seabourn Odyssey's identical sisters, Sojourn and Quest, were launched in June 2010 and June 2011.
PASSENGERS & CREW: 450 passengers, 335 crew.
ACCOMMODATION: Seabourn Odyssey has 225 suites in 13 categories; seven are wheelchair-accessible and 90 per cent have balconies.
REGULAR HAUNTS: Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand (Odyssey is in Australia from December 2014 to February 2015).
PERFECT FOR: Well-heeled, well-travelled couples and singles.
DINING: All three Seabourn ships have The Restaurant, which is open-seating and can accommodate all passengers; The Colonnade, an indoor-outdoor venue serving all meals in an open-kitchen style so you can watch the chefs at work; Restaurant 2, for specialist wine and food pairings; and the more casual Patio Grill.
PARTYING: There are six stylish lounges and bars (soft and alcoholic drinks are included in your fare, as are tips), and a good choice of entertainment in the evenings, including live music and dancing.
DOING: The Spa at Seabourn offers an array of treatments and facilities; personal trainers are on hand to tailor workout regimens. On "marina day" you can go kayaking, waterskiing or swimming from the onboard marina.
DID YOU KNOW? Seabourn will add a fourth ship to the Odyssey-class fleet in 2016. It will be slightly bigger than its sister ships, having an extra deck, expanded public areas and passenger capacity of 604.
THE DETAILS: A 28-day cruise from Sydney to Singapore visiting Brisbane, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, Townsville and the Gold Coast, Flores, Komodo, Lombok, Bali and Java, departs February 23, 2015. From $13,739. Phone 13 24 02, see seabourn.com.
OFFER OF THE WEEK
Travelrite International's 15-day holiday has the lot - rail, sail, flights and accommodation. You fly to Hong Kong, board Queen Mary 2 and cruise to Darwin via Brunei and Indonesia, then take a train journey to Adelaide on the Ghan. Priced from $6800, this tour departs Australia on February 20, 2015. Phone 1800 630 343, see travelrite.com.au.
MORE DEALS
CELEBRITY CRUISES is offering three deals when booked by July 31, 2014. And if you book a cruise on Celebrity Century for the local 2014-15 season by June 21 you can take two deals. An ocean-view cabin on Celebrity Century's seven-night Sydney-Tasmania cruise departing on December 15 starts at $1199. Phone 1800 754 500, see celebritycruises.com.au.
SILVERSEA Book by July 31 to enjoy savings on extended Silver Cloud 2014 Mediterranean sailings: 21-day Istanbul to Rome, departing October 22, $8573; 31-day Istanbul to Funchal, departing October 22, $11,782; 22-day Athens to Funchal, departing October 31, $7635. Phone 1300 306 872, see silversea.com.
Tip
For many years, the Cancer Council has produced high-quality sun protection products at very reasonable prices. Profits help fund research and the prevention and treatment of cancer.
It is now offering a range of high SPF cosmetics - face and body moisturisers, foundation, lipsticks and lipglosses - available from Cancer Council shops, supermarkets and pharmacies. Australia still has one of the highest incidences of skin cancer in the world (two to three times the rates in Canada, the US and Britain) so make sure you're fully covered for your cruise. See cancer.org.au.
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