Far East Cruises

If you love cruise holidays but are ready for something a bit more unusual and exotic, it may be time to look into the variety of Far East cruises available.

These cruises are one-of-a-kind holiday getaways at sea and a great way to experience the wonders of the Orient in a very unique way. You can discover the mystery and tradition of the Far East at every stop and see ancient Buddhist temples, cherry blossoms in bloom, huge vistas of rice fields, and beautiful beaches.

Most of the better known cruise lines offer Far East cruises including Holland America, Princes Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea Cruises, and Fred Olsen. If you are looking for a luxury cruise, Swan Hellenic, a British-based cruise line, and Azamara Cruises both offer cruises to the Far East on smaller, less-crowded ships that provide a relaxed atmosphere, stylish cabins, and first-rate service.

Cruises in the Far East have such departure ports as Beijing and Hong Kong, China; Shanghai and Osaka, Japan; Singapore; and Nha Trang, Vietnam. Destinations include Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan. Choices of the ports of call on a cruise are innumerable and selecting an itinerary can be almost as exciting as the cruise itself. A cruise can take you from Japan in the Pacific Ocean with stops in cities like Nagasaki to South Korea and the Yellow Sea, with a stop in Seoul, and then on to China.

Below are some of the top destinations for Far East cruises along with the possibilities for shore excursions that you can book at the time that you reserve your cruise.

1. Bali, Indonesia – In Bali your shore excursion can take you to the temple of Tenah Lot that is located on a rocky piece of land jutting into the Indian Ocean. You can climb the steps of a volcano and see traditional dancers perform in their colorful costumes.

2. Thailand – From the Grand Palace in Bangkok to the beaches at Phuket and Ko Samui, Thailand has something that just about everyone can enjoy when they go ashore.

3. Beijing, China – Here you have the chance to see the amazing Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the shrines in Tiananmen Square.

4. Vietnam – With a port of call in Vietnam you can visit Ho Chi Minh, which is still more often referred to as Saigon by the natives. If the busy city isn’t for you, you can relax on the beaches at Nha Trang and take a trip to Monkey Island.

Other possibilities on a Far East cruise include Malaysia and the city of Kuala Lumpur or the beaches at Langkawi. Hong Kong is another option where you can buy beautiful Chinese silk and visit the Flower Market.

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Far East Cruises article by Alicia Chewe