Southeast Asia Cruises

Come Back Into Focus

Giant golden Buddhas and gilded temple spires. Barong dancersand exotic siren songs. Deserted white-sand beaches and neon-lit cities. Colorful floating markets and bustling street vendors. Travelers to Southeast Asia can sample innumerable experiences on a cruise that, by land, would be much more difficult to include in one vacation, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

In all, eight CLIA-member lines and 14 ships will offer Southeast Asia itineraries ranging from nine to 30-plus days in 2006 and 2007. Cruisers can spend their days in port exploring the region's exotic cultures and attractions, later returning to their ship's passenger-pleasing facilities and amenities. Many lines enhance onboard programming with local entertainment and enrichment lecturers.

"Cruise vacations in the Far East offer travelers memories to last a lifetime," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA, the chief marketing group for 19 premier cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies.

Southeast Asia cruises offer vacationers opportunities to sample local cuisines, explore ancient cultures, witness awe-inspiring landscapes, and survey unexplored regions dating back thousands of years on itineraries calling at ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Some itineraries also visit China, India, Korea and Japan. Other CLIA-member lines visit Asia on segments of their world cruise itineraries, which operate during the first quarter of each year.

The Following Is A List Of Southeast Asia Cruises

Available Aboard CLIA Member Cruise Lines

CRYSTAL CRUISES

Crystal Cruises returns to Asia in 2007 after a two-year hiatus with four destination-rich itineraries, including its first Singapore-Dubai cruise. From March through May, Crystal Symphony offers two 14-day journeys exploring China, an 11-day cruise spotlighting Vietnam, and the 16-day Singapore to Dubai itinerary with three days in Myanmar (Burma).

CUNARD LINE

In 2007 Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 will call at Chan May, Vietnam; Bangkok; Cochin and Mumbai (Bombay), India; and Sri Lanka on her 108-day world cruise. Queen Mary 2 also visits Asia as part of her 80-day maiden world cruise. Ports of call include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Cochin.

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

In spring 2007, Holland America Line's Statendam sails a 20-day "Australia, Southeast Asia & China" itinerary followed by three 14-day Hong Kong to Osaka cruises that feature overnights in Beijing and Shanghai. Amsterdam features Asia segments on its 105-day World Cruise and its 64-day "Asia, Australia & Polynesian Explorer" itinerary in fall.

OCEANIA CRUISES

After a successful inaugural season, Oceania Cruises' Nautica returns to the Far East in 2006/2007 offering a range of Southeast Asia ports. From late November through March, the ship sails on 15- to 35-day itineraries with more than 40 overnight calls, including Bangkok and Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

PRINCESS CRUISES

Princess Cruises offers a series of 16-day voyages that visit China, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, departing June 30, July 16 and Aug. 1, 2006. Similar 16-day itineraries depart Oct. 26 and Nov. 11 and 27, 2006, but do not include a visit to South Korea.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Seven Seas Mariner calls in Southeast Asia on two segments of its 96-night "Grand Asia Pacific Voyage," departing Sept. 13, 2006, and three segments of its 107-night voyage, departing Sept. 5, 2007. Seven Seas Voyager offers a 14-day Singapore to Hong Kong segment during its 2007 World Cruise.

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE

Southeast Asia cruises have long been a staple of Seabourn Cruise Line's annual schedule. Seabourn Spirit again sails its popular 14-day "Asian Capitals & Vietnam" voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong, offered from December through April 2007. The itinerary features the line's "Caviar in the Surf" beach barbecue at Ko Kood, Thailand.

SILVERSEA CRUISES

From late November 2006 through March and again in December 2007, Silversea Cruises' three ships will sail on itineraries of nine to 16 days that call at ports in Singapore, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Offerings include routings between Singapore and Hong Kong; Hong Kong and Bangkok; and roundtrip Singapore sailings.

For additional information on Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), please visit their website at Cruising.org