It's so close to Australia
The cruising hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong are so close to Australia, meaning it takes half the time to fly to either of these port cities than to Europe. Once you get there, sit back, relax, and leave the rest of your holiday in the hands of the experts, allowing you more time to enjoy the holiday experience, onboard and off!
You can visit places not accessible by car, train or bus
Cruising in Asia offers travellers the ability to visit hard-to-reach places that are inaccessible by car, bus or train. On cruise lines such as Azamara Club Cruises, the boutique size of ships such as Azamara Journey, means they can fit into smaller ports such as Borocay in the Philipines, Komodo Islands in Indonesia, or sailing up Thailand's Chao Phraya River to dock right next to the bright lights of Bangkok overnight. The line will also launch 30 brand new ports worldwide in 2018, allowing guests to see more of the world's hidden gems. The majority of these new ports will cater to smaller ships, such as Georgetown (Penang) in Malaysia and Hambantota in Sri Lanka – the gateway to the beautiful Bundala National Park, which teems with flocks of greater flamingos.
Forget overcrowded, overnight trains and buses!
Many travellers delight in experiencing local modes of travel, but cruising allows guests to swap Asia's famed crowded buses and trains for luxury. Forget airports, stations, transfers and check-ins! Whilst on board, guests on lines such as Azamara can indulge in health, beauty and restorative treatments at Sanctum Spa, hair styling and a mani-pedi at The Salon, a dip in one of the pools, or acupuncture. What's more, ships such as Azamara Journey cater to a maximum of 690 guests, which keeps the experience intimate and the service personal.
Watch the sunset in one country, wake up in another
What other form of travel allows you to watch the sunset over the network of rivers, streams and canals of Cochin, India, then wake up in the lush serendipity of Colombo, Sri Lanka? Asia isn't the sort of destination you can skim over or whiz through; with so many rich cultures and phenomenal sights to explore, an Asia cruise allows you time to immerse yourself within the destinations.
Go to places on the top of your bucket list, as well as those you've never considered
Countries such as Japan, Indonesia and Thailand are at the top of many Aussie bucket lists, but an Asia cruise allows you to combine these destinations with those you wouldn't have otherwise considered. Why not get a taste of Salalah, Oman, the perfume capital of Arabia, or the bright lights of Yeosu, South Korea, or the leafy streets and colonial architecture of Yangon, Myanmar?
Courtesy of Robert La Bua, Tourism Oman
It's a Balinese villa at sea… only better
Balinese-style villas are a top travel trend that fill today's social media feeds, but an Asia cruise offers guests the opportunity to experience this level of luxury on a grander scale AND immerse themselves in multiple exotic destinations at the same time. Suites onboard an Azamara voyage include ocean views, sea breezes, plush cotton robes and slippers, French bath products, fresh flowers, fine linens, private verandas, complimentary drinks, 24-hour room service, a stateroom attendant and assistant, and a butler who can assist with restaurant and spa reservations, private parties, dinners for two and more!
No stress, no language barriers, no organisation – leave to someone else!
One of the downsides about travelling – especially in a country that doesn't speak your language – is the stress of planning, travelling between destinations and organising activities. Fortunately on an Asia cruise with a line such as Azamara, guests needn't bother with this hassle as expert teams curate custom experiences for every travel style, whether it be experiencing local life behind the scenes (Cruise Global, Meet Local), food and wine (Cruise Global, Taste Local), exclusive, custom after-dinner experiences (Cruise Global, Nights Local), or cycling (Cruise Global, Bike Local). Guests also won't be bothered by large crowds, with each excursion catering to a maximum of 25 guests, to preserve the intimacy of the local experience.
The best of Asian cuisine, both onboard & on shore
The countries of the Asian continent have incredibly rich and diverse cultures, influenced by thousands of years of history, customs, rituals and languages – all of which have shaped a fantastic array of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered. A cruise in Asia allows guests to explore local cuisines both onboard and on shore, as ship chefs often visit local markets to inspire their creations, whilst on shore excursions might see cruisers sample the local speciality such as Okonomiyaki in Osaka, Japan, explore local markets and souks with the ship's chef in Dubai, or take a local cooking class in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Escape Christmas with the in-laws & enjoy a luxurious Christmas onboard, amongst the best of Asia
This year, why not ditch the hassle, chores and family chaos of the festive season, by escaping on a stress-free Asia Christmas cruise. An Azamara Asia cruise will put a twist on the traditional Aussie Christmas, making for an unforgettable holiday; everything will be taken care of onboard – from Christmas dinner and decorations to festive activities – and you get to explore spectacular, new exotic destinations every day!
Chinese New Year!
One of the most exciting times to cruise in Asia is during Chinese New Year. 2018 will see the Year of the Dog welcomed in from 16th February with celebrations continuing into early March. Visit the local New Year Markets during on shore excursions, which will usually be decorated with lanterns, and pick up New Year goods such as clothing, decorations, food and small arts, or enjoy the local New Year traditional cuisine.
Guests can discover the wonders of Borneo, Vietnam and Thailand on a 14 night round-trip cruise departing Singapore, 25 March 2018. Sailing on Azamara Journey, the cruise makes calls to Bintulu, Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Ko Samui. Fares start from AU$3,499/NZ$3,719 per person, twin share for an Interior Stateroom.
Or, guests can explore the delights of Indonesia on a 7 night Borobudur and Bali cruise, sailing on Azamara Journey. Departing Singapore 14 January, 2018, the cruise visits Samarang, Surabaya, Celukan Bawang and finishes up in Bali. Fares start from AU$1,999/NZ$2,139 per person, twin share, for an interior stateroom.
To make a booking or for further information visit www.azamaraclubcruises.com, phone 1800 754 500 or contact your local travel agent.
*Terms and conditions apply, see www.azamaraclubcruises.com for full details.
