Hong Kong to Singapore Christmas Cruise

Today, depart Australia (or New Zealand) for Hong Kong. Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Please note:
• Some travellers may depart on Day 0.
• Some travellers may arrive late evening on Day 1.
• Flights are not guaranteed to be direct from your departure city to Hong Kong.

Optional Upgrade: Private Vehicle Transfer - Airport to Hotel
Add a private vehicle transfer from the airport to your hotel. After clearing customs & collecting your luggage, meet your driver in the arrivals terminal and transfer to your hotel. Please see current pricing in Important Information.
Please note: This optional upgrade can't be booked when an Arrive Early has been organised.

Overnight: New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel or similar, Hong Kong, China

Meals included: In-Flight

Enjoy a day at leisure in Hong Kong.

Among the world's most glamorous and cosmopolitan cities, Hong Kong sits on the southern coast of China at the Pearl River estuary of the South China Sea. It comprises Hong Kong Island, where the Central Business District and some of the most affluent areas and attractions are, as well as the mainland, Kowloon and the New Territories.

Hong Kong is a regional and global hub for banking, shipping, fashion and food, boasting more than 60 Michelin-starred restaurants. Its five-star hotels are among the most elegant to be found in the world; many are set in the towering skyscrapers that carpet Hong Kong Island's steep slopes and light up its skyline so beautifully.

Officially known as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong maintains a high degree of autonomy relative to the rest of China, even after it was reunified with China in 1997 after 156 years of British rule ended. It's definitely a great city in which to spend a day or two sightseeing and finding cultural things to do before your voyage.

Overnight: New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel or similar, Hong Kong, China

Meals included: None

Enjoy a day at leisure in Hong Kong where this vibrant, buzzing metropolis is filled with history, culture and futuristic feats unlike any other city in the world. Tradition and innovation exist side by side here. You’ll see it in the city’s dazzling skyline, stately dragon boats, abundance of museums and acclaimed food scene. Before your cruise from Hong Kong, why not pay a visit to the massive Tian Tan Buddha, which towers at over 34 metres tall. Savour delicious noodles and other tempting bites at the Temple Street Night Market or set sail on a harbour cruise for unbeatable views of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

Overnight: New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel or similar, Hong Kong, China

Meals included: None

Depart: 17:00

At the appropriate time, make your way to the cruise terminal to begin the check in procedure. Once onboard, get settled into your cabin, find your bearings and relax as you set sail from Hong Kong.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Dinner

Enjoy a day at sea as you cruise to your next destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:00 - Depart: 21:00

Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is fast climbing to the top of many travellers' must-see lists in Asia. It's like a combination of Thailand's famous limestone islanded Phang Nga Bay and old Hong Kong's harbour with its dragon-sailed junks. The bay and its almost two thousand islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, giving an official stamp of recognition to this natural wonder that has captivated painters and poets for centuries.

Ha Long City offers up several markets and restaurants, and is also a convenient base before setting out for places like Cat Ba Island and some of the smaller islets with their underground caves and biodiverse wildlife. As you sail the bay or look at it from the mainland, you may feel like you've stepped into a postcard or a painting from the classic era of Vietnamese art.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy a day at sea as you cruise to your next destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Located halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the port city of Da Nang has a small-town charm despite its lack of big-ticket attractions. It is home to a stunning 30-kilometre coastline that is popular for water sports such as waterskiing, paddle boarding and surfing. It’s also known for its great street food, and an extremely quirky bridge that you can't miss. The place was previously occupied by both the French and the Americans, where vestiges of both can be seen in the city's wide boulevards and old villas.

Da Nang is a great launchpad for day trips, whether to the picturesque city of Hoi An around 30 kilometres to the south, the old imperial capital of Hue 100 kilometres to the north, or the majestic Marble Mountains to the southwest. The UNESCO-protected Champa temple complex, My Son which is about 69 kilometres southwest of Da Nang, is definitely worth the trip, but for those who don’t want to leave the urban environs, many of the ruins have ended up at Da Nang's excellent Museum of Cham Sculpture, where you can learn all about the history and architecture of this fascinating culture.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy the festival atmosphere and activities onboard as you cruise towards your next destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:00 - Depart: 15:00

In Nha Trang, on the mid-southern Vietnamese coast, you'll find a magical combination of historic sites along with a stunning beach. You can while away a day here soaking up the sun, sand and sea, alternating snorkelling or scuba diving sessions with naps in the shade, lulled to sleep by the sound of the surf. And while warm, clear waters and a white-sand beach dotted with restaurants and bars may be enough, the city offers historic sites that make it more than just a beach town.

Exploring Nha Trang beyond its beach brings you a better understanding of Vietnam as a whole, from long before the nation was formed through its colonial period. Work your way forward from Buddhist temples like the 7th- to 12th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers and the late-19th-century Long Son Pagoda, to the city's early-20th-century French Gothic–style cathedral. By day's end, you'll likely find yourself drawn back to the water. Take a walk along the Hon Chong promontory, enjoying the view of the islands in Nha Trang Bay as you watch the sun melt into the sea.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 06:00 - Depart: 18:00

Phu My is your gateway to bustling Ho Chi Minh City approximately 80 kilometres from the port. Here, motorbikes hurtle down the wide streets and crossing the road is like a real-life game of Frogger. Its hectic pace is somewhat tempered by tranquil parks, peaceful pagodas and timeless alleyways.

Choose from one of Holland America's shore excursions, or make your own arrangements if you would like to go from Phu My to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a fascinating mix of high and low, old and new. On its streets, French-colonial architecture vies for attention with glistening modern skyscrapers; sleek designer malls sit alongside bustling local markets; and glamorous fine-dining restaurants are just around the corner from street-food stalls.

The best way to explore the city is on foot. Most major tourist venues are in compact District 1, which is easy to get around. Or hop on the back of a xe om (motorbike taxi) to see the city like a local. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be swept along in the pulsating energy of it all.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy a day at sea as you cruise to your next destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:0 - Depart: 20:00

Cambodia’s certainly most famous for the temples of Angkor, but travellers seeking to wander farther are flocking to the small-yet-bustling coastal town of Sihanoukville. Renamed in 1964 for King Norodom Sihanouk, this provincial port is home to some of the nation’s most stunning coastline and a downtown that's a blend of local businesses and a lively expat scene centreed on Serendipity Road. You’ll find not one beach but several, each with its own personality: good for whether you want a relaxed day reading a novel or one full of activity, food and people-watching. Often described as what Thailand was like 20 years ago, this region is less touristy but still able to meet your expectations for a perfect beach getaway.

In Sihanoukville, you can take a guided snorkelling trip, kayak through mangrove forests, hike through a national park or horseback ride on the beach. If you are in the mood for less action, you could spend time exploring the local temples or shopping near the beach. Angkor’s certainly amazing, but Sihanoukville might just be Cambodia’s perfect still-secret stop.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 12:00 - Overnight

Thailand, known as Siam until 1939, is the only country in Southeast Asia (and one of the few in the world) never to have been colonised by a European power. Its capital, Bangkok, reflects the country's unique status. It has embraced modernity on its own terms as the seat of a beloved monarchy that dates back to the 13th century. In this city, Buddhist temples and gilded palaces coexist with the bustle of one of Asia's major metropolises. The contrast between the golden glow of sunrise along the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the municipality, and the neon lights of downtown can feel intoxicating.

There are few places in the world where you can spend the morning visiting a centuries-old stupa, have lunch at one of the world's top Michelin-starred restaurants and then shop for exquisite silk garments. And wherever you explore, you'll be struck by the warm welcome you receive. "The Land of Smiles" may be a cliche and a tourism-marketing slogan, but it's also a fitting nickname for Thailand. Bangkok is located approximately 130 kilometres from the Laem Chabang port.

You can book one of Holland America's shore excursions, or make your own arrangements from the port to the city. Whether you travel by boat, bus or tuk-tuk to explore Bangkok's temples, palaces and markets, be prepared to fall in love with this city that somehow manages to be both chaotic and captivating at the same time. Your ship docks here overnight so you can explore more of this destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Depart: 18:00

Enjoy a second day docked in Laem Chabang to explore more.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 10:00 - Depart: 17:00

Koh Samui can feel like a screensaver landscape. As if designed by Mother Nature for posters, calendars and daydreams, it’s one of Thailand’s most famous islands for a number of reasons. The beach-fringed coast is edged with vivid blue water that’s a playground for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, building sandcastles and simply lounging. Along with busy food stalls and restaurants where you can find a whole world of cuisine made with local produce and fresh seafood as well as authentic Thai dishes, the lively streets are lined with bars, boutiques, markets and spas.

By contrast, the island’s interior can provide moments of reflection and replenishing solitude. Enter the dense, hilly jungles for hikes to ancient temples and pristine waterfalls and quaint villages where you can experience true Thai hospitality. With dreamy landscapes and island adventures from boat excursions to nature treks, you'll soon be enchanted by Koh Samui.

Please note: This port is accessed by tender boats. Boarding and disembarking tender boats may involve steps and uneven surfaces. While cruise lines strive to provide ease of access, accessibility options can vary at different tender ports. Passengers with mobility concerns are encouraged to inquire about specific arrangements and consider their individual needs when participating in tendering activities.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy a day at sea as you cruise to your next destination.

Overnight: Holland America's Westerdam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Disembark: 07:00

Today, your cruise ends in Singapore. Once off the ship, make your own way to your hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Please note: Check in time for most hotels is approximately 15:00. Luggage storage is available at the hotel so you can drop your bags and explore the city until your room is prepared.

Overnight: Village Hotel Bugis or similar, Singapore

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a day at leisure in Singapore.

City-states are rare in the present day, and none are quite like Singapore. In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continues to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore's urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighbourhoods, many with streets lined with colourful shophouses (a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above).

Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups, mainly Malays, Chinese and Indians, and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community. Singapore's food scene, arguably the world's most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues, would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometre island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

Overnight: Village Hotel Bugis or similar, Singapore

Meals included: None

Today, make your own way to the airport for your return flight to Australia.

Please note:
• Standard check-out time is 12:00, luggage storage is available at the front desk for those with later fights.
• Some travellers may arrive back in Australia today, subject to flight departure times.

Optional Activity: Private Vehicle Transfer - Hotel to Airport
Add a private vehicle transfer from your hotel to the airport. Meet your driver at your hotel and be transferred to the airport, ready to check in for your flight. Please see current pricing in Important Information.
Please note: This transfer cannot be booked when a stay behind is arranged.

Meals included: In-Flight