Shore excursions, cruises: Five of the most popular shore tours to take

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Shore excursions, cruises: Five of the most popular shore tours to take

By Sally Macmillan
America's Cup yacht.

America's Cup yacht.

So you think of cruising as purely a sedate pastime? The choice of shore tours continues to expand as cruise lines offer hundreds of different experiences at ports of call, and some of them are not for the faint-hearted. Researchers at online cruise portal CruiseAway have come up with a list of favourite trips – ranging from one-off experiences to thrillseeking adventures. If you ever thought cruising was boring, take a look at these options:

SAILING ON AN AMERICA'S CUP YACHT

Singapore-based fitness guru Alex Salihin is hosting a four-night wellness cruise on the Aqua Mekong.

Singapore-based fitness guru Alex Salihin is hosting a four-night wellness cruise on the Aqua Mekong.

Wannabe sailors can join the crew of one of the fastest sailing yachts in the world in a regatta in Auckland harbour. Check out cruises to New Zealand on Holland America Line's Maasdam and Noordam, both of which are sailing Down Under nn the upcoming summer season.

DOORS-OFF HELICOPTER RIDE OVER KILAUEA VOLCANO

What could be more thrilling than flying 150 metres over a volcano in a helicopter without doors? Norwegian Cruise Line gives four passengers at a time the chance to hover over the molten lava of one of the world's most active volcanos. One hand for the chopper, one hand for your camera.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay is a must-see when visiting the city.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay is a must-see when visiting the city.

SCUBA DIVING IN THE SHIPWRECK OF RMS RHONE

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The RMS Rhone sank in 1867 close to Salt Island in the British Virgin Islands and the surrounding area was declared a national park in 1980. Today, the wreck is considered the best dive site in the islands and is home to a giant moray eel among other colourful marine creatures. Certified scuba divers can take this underwater excursion while cruising with Carnival Cruise Line.

KAYAK ON THE PANAMA CANAL

For a different view of the engineering marvel that is the Panama Canal, take a kayaking trip on Gatún Lake – once the biggest artificial lake on Earth. Exotic animals such as capuchin monkeys and sloths live in the dense tropical forest on the lake's shores and it's a haven for birdlife and reptiles. On Holland America Line's sailings you will also visit the Agua Clara Locks Lookout to watch vessels passing in and out of the canal.

HUNTING AURORAS ON A SNOWMOBILE

Adventure cruise line Hurtigruten has been operating in its native Norway since 1893, so they know their stuff. Join a winter cruise for the chance to see the Northern Lights on an exhilarating snowmobile trip led by a local guide. For more information from CruiseAway's experts, see cruiseaway.com.au/cruise-destinations

SHORE THING

THE PORT Singapore

WHO GOES THERE Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, NCL, Princess, P&O, Ponant, RSSC, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar

WHY WE LOVE IT The cosmopolitan island state has a multi-cultural population and a wealth of new-world and historic attractions. It's called the "City in a Garden" for good reason: nearly half of its 700 square kilometres is covered in parks.

TAKE A TOUR OR GO IT ALONE? The hop-on, hop-off bus is a good option for first-time visitors – it takes in Chinatown (make sure you hop off for the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore), the Botanic Gardens, Raffles Hotel and Parliament House. A cruise along the Singapore River is another way to check out the sights – brightly painted "bumboats", which used to be cargo vessels, now transport tourists on a 13-stop ride, and commentaries en route give a helpful outline of the city's history. You can pick up a map for a self-guided heritage trail at the fabulous colonial-era Fullerton Hotel – and head to the rooftop bar for panoramic city views.

MUST SEE Gardens by the Bay; Marina Bay Sands complex; Clarke Quay; and the Kampong Glam, Tiong Bahru and Little India districts.

MUST EAT National delicacies include chilli crab, fish head curry, spicy laksas, chicken rice and hokkien prawn mee (stir-fried noodles with prawns). You can dine in Michelin-starred restaurants or eat street food at hawker centres such as the Maxwell Food Centre.

NEED TO KNOW There are two cruise terminals: the Singapore Cruise Centre (part of the Harbourfront Centre) and the new Marina Bay Cruise Centre, which is on the southernmost tip of the island and close to Marina Bay Sands, a major resort, shopping mall, casino and hotel development.

ESSENTIALS visitsingapore.com

CRUISE SCEPTIC Do you have to pack formal wear? No. If you don't want to frock up and bring out the bling you don't have to, but if your ship has formal nights you will be expected to dine in casual venues rather than the main dining room if you're not dressed formally. It's always best to check individual lines' dress codes; some hire eveningwear for men onboard.

NEWS

Aqua wellness

Aqua Expeditions is hosting a four-night wellness cruise aboard its boutique luxury river ship Aqua Mekong, on a round trip from Phnom Penh in December, 2017. Led by Singapore-based fitness guru Alex Salihin, this special itinerary will include morning yoga classes on the sundeck, meditation classes, one-on-one training sessions with Alex and spa treatments plus daily biking and kayaking along the banks of the Tonle Sap River and around Koh Oknha Tey Island. Aqua Mekong, which launched three years ago to complement Aqua Expeditions' Amazon river cruises, accommodates a maximum of 40 passengers in 20 spacious suites, eight of which have balconies. The line is renowned for its cuisine; Aqua Mekong features menus designed by award-winning chef, restaurateur and cookbook author David Thompson. See aquaexpeditions.com.au

Nickelodeon at sea

Kids' TV networks Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. can now be viewed on P&O Cruises ships, in cabins and kids' clubs, plus there will be a family Nickelodeon movie night on the big screen. Classics such as Sam & Cat and Victorious as well as new hit shows The Thundermans and The Loud House are among the hit shows. The Nick Jr. channel will entertain kids under five years of age with the global phenomenon PAW Patrol, educational STEM series Blaze and the Monster Machines and brand new hit series Nella the Princess Knight. P&O's latest ship, Pacific Explorer, was christened last month by its godmother Dora the Explorer, alongside SpongeBob SquarePants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Skye from PAW Patrol and more than a hundred children. See pocruises.com.au

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