destination
asia
z-Lands of the Lotus - Singapore to Chennai
trip specifics
price
2010 Rates
|
Superior |
$12,695 |
|
Majestic |
$13,195 |
|
Premium |
$13,995 |
|
Classic |
$15,095 |
|
Explorer |
$17,295 |
|
Grand Titan |
$20,095 |
|
Owners Suite |
$29,195 |
Triple and Single rates available.
Call for details
2011 Rates
|
Superior |
$12,895 |
|
Majestic |
$13,395 |
|
Premium |
$14,195 |
|
Classic |
$15,295 |
|
Explorer |
$17,495 |
|
Grand Titan |
$20,295 |
|
Owners Suite |
$31,645 |
duration
17 daystrip dates
Coming Soon!trip level
view explanation
highlights
SingaporeMalacca Malaysia
Georgetown Penang
Lnagkawi
Phuket Thailand
Similan Islands
Rangoon Myanmar
Port Blair, Andaman Islands India
Chennai (Madras)
accomm types
Small Ship
This cruise is one segment of the year long Voyage of the Great Explorers world cruise and is part of Chapter 1: Marco Polo - Ancient Trade Routes of the Mystic East. These four exciting world cruise voyages recall Marco Polo’s travels along ancient trade routes from Southeast Asia to the Mediterranean Sea. Your cruise will depart from Singapore, sampling such jewels as Thailand and Burma, before exploring the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka. Then it’s on to historic Iran, the bustling United Arab Emirates, the storied antiquities of Oman, Jordan, and Egypt with an unforgettable Suez Canal transit, before concluding in Alexandria.
Small Ship World Cruises aboard the Spirit of Oceanus
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Day 1 - Arrive in Singapore
Arrive in Singapore and check in your included hotel. Modern, bustling Singapore fascinates with its rich history, eclectic architecture, designer shops and gourmet restaurants. Singapore, the world’s busiest port and its fifth most prosperous country, is an explorer’s delight. A British colony until independence in 1965, this island nation is highly diverse, with Chinese, Malay, Indian and other peoples contributing to an extraordinarily flavorful melting pot. You can sample its savory cuisines in Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam or on the East Coast.
After a foray into Singapore’s intriguing ethnic neighborhoods, you might want to take a quick catnap. This evening, you’ll be joining Chairman Dick West and his lovely wife Leslie at a gala reception to celebrate our inaugural voyage, the first of 24 Voyages of the Great Explorers.
Day 2 - Singapore
This morning you’re at your leisure. Singapore is a world-class shopping Mecca and Orchard Road is its heart. It boasts a high concentration of retail malls offering everything from the latest high-tech gadgets to Italian couture clothing and, perhaps, some good deals.
Prior to embarkation, you’ll enjoy a highlight tour of Singapore that takes you past its glittering skyscrapers and such colonial-era architectural treasures as Sri Mariamman Temple, the Masjid Jamae mosque and the Church of Gregory the Illuminator. Once you’re on the ship, just relax, enjoy a refreshing beverage, and take in the incredible view of Singapore Harbor and the spectacular skyline as began our momentous journey.
Day 3 - Malacca, Malaysia
Malacca, the third largest Malaysian state, is located in the southern region of the Malay peninsula, a spot much coveted for its strategic position and deep port. The Strait of Malacca is one of the world’s most important shipping and trading lanes, connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. According to legend it was founded by Prince Parameswara, a Hindu exile from Java. While he was hunting there when one of his dogs was startled by a mouse deer and fell into the river. The prince took that has a positive omen. Over the centuries Malacca has attracted the interest of many would-be conquerors and traders: the Siamese, Chinese, Portuguese, and Dutch as well as the British East India Company.
Today, echoes of Malacca’s colonial past remain in its historic downtown, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which you can explore on a walking tour. You’ll visit Christ Church; completed in 1753, it’s the oldest protestant church in Malaysia. Wander around the remains of A Famosa, once a Portuguese fort. Visit Stadthuys, circa 1660, which houses a fabulous historical museum. And stroll along Harmony Street, where the Cheng Hoon Teng Chinese temple, the Sri Poyatha Vinayagar Moorthi Hindu Temple, and the Kampung Kling Mosque coexist in peace.
Day 4 - Georgetown, Malaysia
Founded in 1786 by Captain by Francis Light, a trader for the British East India Company, Georgetown was named for Britain’s King George III. Today it is the capital of the island state of Penang—and a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architectural and cultural townscape. “The Pearl of the Orient” Malaysian state of Penang is another of the many ancient trade crossroads of Southeast Asia.
Day 5 - Langkawi, Malaysia
Named for the ubiquitous red eagles that dominate its sunny Malaysian skies, Langkawi is a 99-island archipelago near the Thailand border.
Today we take the Zodiac boats out on the Andaman Sea in search of prime snorkeling and pristine beaches. In Langkawi we’re certain to find both. Known since 2008 as Langkawi, Jewel of the Kadah by decree of the Sultan of Kedah, this gorgeous archipelago was declared a UNESCO Geopark in 2007.
We’ll land our Zodiacs on whatever islands strike our fancy. And with 99 to choose from (be on the look-out for five more at low tide!), we can afford to be choosey. Bird-watching in the islands is particularly amazing. More than 200 species, including eagles, make their home here.
Days 6-7 - Phuket, Thailand
The Spirit of Oceanus will dock overnight in Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, giving you ample time to experience the many beautiful beaches for which Phuket is known. Tropical Phuket, southern Thailand’s best-loved and most famed island area, suffered major damage in the 2004 tsunami, but has rebounded and now enjoys a healthy tourism economy.
The history as a convenient trading port and center of export for valued Chinese and Japanese products is well illustrated in a city tour and a museum visit. A sight not to be missed is one of the impressive wats, or Buddhist temples, with a golden Buddha statue.
Then, enjoy time at leisure or learning about flora and fauna on a nearby island. You might be tempted to hone your beachcombing technique, read a book in the shade of a palm tree or take a refreshing swim.
Day 8 - Similan Islands, Thailand
One of Thailand’s most beautiful archipelagos, the group of nine major Similan Islands in the Andaman sea features remote pristine beaches, natural marine parks, spectacular diving and snorkeling sites, plus unique wildlife including rare turtles, lizards and birds. The Similan Islands are a national park off the coast of southern Thailand. These nine lovely islands (Sembilan is Malay for “nine”) were created by volcanic activity nearly 65 million years ago, then smoothed by glacial ice and erosion. Today, they are anyone’s dream of a tropical paradise: dramatic, rough-hewn granite, covered with verdant jungle vegetation and graced with white-chalk beaches.
Your Exploration Leaders will find the perfect beach to land our Zodiacs for wildlife spotting and snorkeling. You’ll find enormous species diversity both in coral and fish, including brilliant-hued lionfish and clownfish, manta rays, even a whale shark or two.
Day 9 - At Sea
A great day to get acquainted with your fellow adventurers, enjoy the warm, tropical breezes or simply unwind as the pace slows down to a more human tempo. Enjoy it!
Day 10 - Rangoon (Yangon), Myanmar
Rangoon, called by a traditional name of Yangon, is the former capital of Burma (Myanmar). It is still the country’s largest city, with over four million people and some remarkable colonial architecture along beautiful tree-lined boulevards. Today we leave the Andaman Sea and enter the Gulf of Martaban, sailing up the Yangon to the very center of Myanmar (Burmese) culture and traditions. The city of Yangon (Myanmar’s capital) combines British, Burmese, Chinese and Indian influences. Known for its 19th-century British architecture, the city remains deeply rooted in the past, despite a sprinkling of high-rise buildings. Our ship will be docking overnight in Yangon, so you’ll have ample time for exploring, including a pagoda visit and tea at the famed Strand Hotel, and a dinner ashore with regional specialties and a traditional performance.
Day 11 - Rangoon (Yangon), Myanmar
Experience the glory of the Shwedagon Temple, the single most important religious site in Myanmar. Sitting high atop Singuttara Hill, the temple was supposedly built to enshrine eight hairs from the head of the Buddha. From its initial construction in around the 6th century AD, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. Today it is both a serene and lively spot, where monks pray, children play and people of all walks of life gather. Your Exploration Leaders will be on hand to enrich your experience of this magnificent monument with historical, religious and cultural insights.
Two special celebratory events await today. You’ll participate in a monastery visit to offer food to the monks. And then, witness the initiation and ordination of young novices into the Buddhist monkhood – ceremonies rarely seen by outsiders.
Day 12 - At Sea
Time to reflect on your amazing experiences in Yangon and prepare for an eventful day in Port Blair tomorrow. Your Exploration Leaders will be available for background information on India’s struggle for independence form colonial British rule.
Days 13-14 - Andaman Islands, India
Relive India’s struggle for independence with a walking tour of Port Blair’s Cellular Jail. Completed in 1906, the Cellular Jail consisted of 698 solitary jail cells (hence the name), arranged in seven, three-story wings that extended outward from a central guard tower. Built by the forced labor of political prisoners, the infamous Cellular Jail housed many luminaries in the Indian struggle against British colonial rule. By the 1930s, hunger strikes by the inmates called attention to their inhuman treatment, prompting Mahatma Ghandi and Rabindranath Tagore to intervene on their behalf and repatriate the political prisoners.
Our second day will be devoted to leisurely beach walking, snorkeling, birding and nature walks with our Exploration Leader. The Andaman archipelago (also known as the Emerald Islands for their lush green vegetation) is a union territory of India.
Days 15-16 - At Sea
A lovely day to bask on deck with a good book, watch for sea birds, or simply relax. Your inaugural voyage is almost over, so today you’ll want to make sure you’ve collected email addresses from the new friends you’ve made on your adventure.
Day 17 - Chennai (Madras), India
Disembark and fly home or continue your journey with the Chapter One, Voyage Two of the Voyages of the Great Explorers. Situated on India’s sprawling southeast coastal plain along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, the country’s fourth largest city (named “Madras” by the British for its famed cloth) is a primary manufacturer of India’s automobiles, technological hardware and software.
Small Ship World Cruises aboard the Spirit of Oceanus Extend your trip
Bangkok & Chiang Mai 5-Night pre-or post-cruise, from Singapore
Your adventure combines Bangkok’s Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha, an elephant training camp (where you can ride if you wish!), an encounter with the hill people of Baan Pang Daeng, Singapore’s famed botanical gardens and more!
The Taj Mahal & Rajasthan 6-Night pre- or post-cruise, from Chennai
Experience the best of India on an exploration that includes historic Delhi; ‘The Pink City of Rajasthan” Jaipur, with its unique Jantar Mantar observatory; and the incomparable Taj Mahal, the most romantic structure in the world.
Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.
Single Travelers: Single and triple are available upon request where applicable. If you are traveling alone and wish to share accommodations, our Roommate Share Program guarantees double occupancy rates in Majestic, Premium and Classic category cabins.
Land Cost Includes: One night hotel accommodations is included. All taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. On board gratuities are neither required nor expected. Transportation and shore excursions as indicated on the itinerary and all meals aboard the ship or where indicated.
Not Included: Airfare from your home city or return; passport or visa fees; excess baggage charges; air departure taxes; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, and insurance of any kind. Fuel surcharges may apply.
Arrival/Departure: Embarkation and disembarkation locations depend on the chosen itinerary. Suggested times for inbound/outbound flights also depend on the itinerary and point of embarkation and disembarkation. Please contact us for further details.
Payment Policy: A deposit of 25% of cruise-tour fare for all Grant Titan and Owner's Suite cabins or 20% of cruise-tour fare for all other cabin categories per person is required to confirm a reservation. Final payment for all Voyages of the Great Explorers cruises my be received no later than 120 days prior to departure, or in full at time of reservation if less than 120 days advance payment period.
Cancellation Policy: Per person cancellation charges for all Grant Titan and Owners Suite cabins:
Anytime 180+ days prior to departure $1000pp*
179-120 days prior to departure full deposit (25%)
119-61 days prior to departure 50% of fare
60-31 days prior to departure 75% of fare
30-0 days prior to departure 100% of fare
Per person cancellation charges for all cabin categories:
Anytime 180+ days prior to departure $200pp*
179-120 days prior to departure full deposit (20%)
119-61 days prior to departure 50% of fare
60-31 days prior to departure 75% of fare
30-0 days prior to departure 100% of fare
*A future cruise credit will be made available, to be applied to future bookings.
Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.
We highly recommend our travelers
protect their investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Insurance
Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout the Voyage of the Great Explorers is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.
Qualifications: These trips will be enjoyed by anyone with a love for nature, culture, history and the outdoors.
Photo Credit: Cruise West
General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.
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