Far East Discovery Christmas Cruise

Today, make your own way to the airport for your outbound flight to Hong Kong, China. Upon arrival, a transfer is provided to your hotel. Once checked in, the remainder of the day is 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.

Overnight: Park Hotel Hong Kong 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 most affluent areas and attractions are, and, on 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 anywhere; 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 the 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, following 156 years of British rule. Many cruises in Southeast and East Asia start or end in Hong Kong, and it's definitely a great city to spend a day or two sightseeing and enjoying cultural activities before or after the voyage.

Overnight: Park Hotel Hong Kong or similar, Hong Kong, China

Meals included: None

Enjoy another day at leisure in Hong Kong.

This vibrant, buzzing metropolis filled with history, culture and futuristic feats is 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: Park Hotel Hong Kong or similar, Hong Kong, China

Meals included: None

Depart: 17:00

At the appropriate time, a transfer is arranged to Kai Tak 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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Dinner

Enjoy your day at sea as you cruise to your next destination aboard Holland America Line's Noordam. Today is all about slowing down and enjoying the journey as much as the destination. With no port to visit, the ship becomes your resort, offering a relaxed blend of leisure, entertainment, dining and ocean views.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:00 - Overnight

Like a combination of Thailand's famous limestone island-studded Phang Nga Bay and old Hong Kong's harbour with its dragon-sailed junks, Vietnam's Ha Long Bay is fast making its way to the top of everyone's Asian must-see travel list. The bay and its almost two thousand islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, officially recognising this natural wonder that has captivated painters and poets for centuries.

Ha Long City has several markets and restaurants worth visiting, and serves as 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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Depart: 21:00

Enjoy your second day of exploration in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 08:00 - Depart: 18:00

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 (this was the first place U.S. Marines landed in March 1965), and vestiges of both can be seen in the city, from the remnants of the vast U.S. air base and hospital to 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 to the south, the old imperial capital of Hue to the north, or the majestic Marble Mountains to the southwest. The UNESCO-protected Champa temple complex, My Son, which lies 69 kilometres southeast, 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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Enjoy the festival atmosphere and activities onboard as you cruise towards your next destination. An at-sea day aboard Holland America Line's Noordam is all about slowing down and enjoying the journey as much as the destination. With no port to visit, the ship becomes your resort, offering a relaxed blend of leisure, entertainment, dining and ocean views.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

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 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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:00 - 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 centred on Serendipity Road.

You’ll find several beaches, 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 the Thailand of 20 years ago, this region is less touristy but still able to meet your expectations for a perfect beach getaway. In Sihanoukville, you could take a guided snorkelling trip, kayak through mangrove forests, hike through a national park or go horseback riding on the beach. If you are in the mood for less action can spend time exploring the local temples or shopping near the beach. Angkor’s certainly amazing, but Sihanoukville might just be Cambodia’s most perfect, still-secret stop.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 11:00 - Overnight

Located on the Gulf of Thailand, Pattaya beckons with golden sand stretches and intriguing cultural marvels. Though Pattaya shares the high energy typical of a big city, there’s no rush to your exploration. Shop for local handicrafts at the Pattaya Floating Market, admire the ornate details of the Sanctuary of Truth and Wat Phra Yai, or snorkel in the crystalline waters off the coast of a nearby island.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Depart: 17:00

Enjoy your second day in Pattaya.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 08:00 - Depart: 16:00
Tendered

Koh Samui can feel like a screensaver landscape. As if designed by Mother Nature for posters, calendars and daydreams, it’s Thailand’s most famous island for several reasons. The beach-fringed coast is edged with vivid, blue water that’s a surf-and-sand playground for snorkelling, 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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 13:00 - Depart: 21:00
Tendered

Like Penang's charming capital, George Town, Malacca (often Melaka) earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status for its remarkable history as a meeting place of East and West. For more than four centuries, Malacca was ruled by a series of European powers—first the Portuguese, then the Dutch and finally the British - as well as by Japan, for a brief period of three years during World War II. Malacca has also been an important international trading port for hundreds of years - exactly why so many empires were keen to get their hands on it. The result of centuries of trade is a city that reflects a variety of European and Asian influences.

In just one day in Malacca, you can visit Malaysia's oldest church, St. Paul's, constructed by the Portuguese; the country's oldest Chinatown; and Stadthuys, the onetime city hall and the oldest Dutch building in Southeast Asia. When it's time to eat, opt for fusion cuisine nonpareil, nyonya - the food of Chinese settlers in Malaysia; a flawless English afternoon tea service; or spicy Indian fare.
Clichéd as it may sound, Malacca is literally a feast for the eyes and the mouth. To sightsee, eat and shop your way around this Malaysian city is to trace its rich, tumultuous history from the 15th century right up to the present day.

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 Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Arrive: 07:00 - Depart: 17:00

As you travel from Port Klang to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, 55 kilometres to the northeast, it can be hard to believe that the city with a skyline of soaring towers was a small mining town for much of the 19th century. That changed beginning in 1880, when the British moved the capital of Malaya here. Yap Ah Loy - a Chinese-born emigre who rose from miner to political titan - and British politician Frank Swettenham were crucial in turning KL (as it's often called) into a true city. Their program of improvements, including establishing Kuala Lumpur’s first school and building a number of roads, continues to this day. For more than a century, Kuala Lumpur has been determined to become bigger and better.

For all its focus on the future, Kuala Lumpur has preserved some rich historic architecture, including the cheerful Art Deco Central Market, the Mughal-style Old Railway Station and the Tudor Revival Royal Selangor Club. These colonial-era buildings contrast nicely with newer structures, among them the gleaming Petronas Towers, whose design is based on motifs found in Islamic art, and the National Museum, inspired by Malay imperial palaces.

Eating is practically a national pastime in Malaysia, and Kuala Lumpur has some of the country's top restaurants. You shouldn't leave without enjoying a meal of delicious Southeast Asian, Chinese or Peranakan (a Malay-Chinese fusion) dishes.

Overnight: Holland America Line's Noordam

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Disembark: 07:00

Today your cruise ends in Singapore. Once off the ship, a transfer is arranged to your hotel. 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: Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium by IHG, 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 - which is 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, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. 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: Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium by IHG, Singapore

Meals included: None

Today, at the appropriate time, a transfer is arranged to the airport for your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).

Please note:
• Standard check-out time is 12:00, luggage storage is available at the front desk for those with later flights.
• Same-day return is possible, or can be +1 early AM arrival back to Australia (or New Zealand).

Meals included: None

Welcome home!

Meals included: None