Southeast Asia

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A British Overseas Territory until 1997, Hong Kong is home to long-cherished Eastern traditions amid modern Western sensibilities. This forest of glittering skyscrapers stands between soaring mountains and bustling Victoria Harbour. The entire sweeping vista is best taken in from atop Victoria Peak, lush with landscaped gardens and footpaths. Back down at sea level, Aberdeen provides a fascinating glimpse of China old and new as a skyward-reaching cluster of residential towers watches over a bustling bay where floating villages bob in the waters beside stylish pleasure boats.

Victoria Harbor keeps the heart of Hong Kong beating and it does so with grace and beauty. The natural harbor divides Hong Kong Island from Kowloon. Today, much of the harbor's beauty lies in its location amid a dense urban area. Junks, tugs, sampans, yachts and the distinctive Star Ferry commuter boats share these teeming waters surrounded by a stunning setting. The city is famed for its nightly light show that plays off the skyline, providing an impressive view of Hong Kong's forest of skyscrapers and Victoria Peak.

The South China Sea has been one of the world's major trade routes for centuries. Today, one-third of the world's maritime shipping passes through its waters, which are also rich fishing grounds and potential energy resources.

More than 1,600 islands of towering limestone dot the seascape of Ha Long Bay. Among them, Vietnam emerges at its most authentic. Fishermen cast their nets into the bay, villages hug the shores and children play in the waters as traditional junks drift by. As local lore has it, dragons created this magnificent place when the gods sent them to the coast to protect locals from marauders. The protective beasts breathed countless jewels into the bay, sinking the approaching ships—and creating a spellbinding canvas of mystical-looking monoliths.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, Ha Long Bay's more than 1,600 islands and islets form a stunning seascape of towering limestone pillars surrounded by biodiverse waters, including a vast array of marine algae and more than a thousand species of fish. The bay is also home to 163 species of coral, which provide a colorful undersea home to many of the aquatic inhabitants. Terrestrially, the islands' dense rain forest ecosystems support various rare species of birdlife and mammals, such as deer, weasels, squirrels and white-tabby and red-haired monkeys.

Chan May serves as a gateway to the fascinating and historic city of Hue, scenically set along the Perfume River. From 1802 to 1945, this was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors. Numerous historic monuments from that period remain, including the massive walled Imperial City, built in the 19th century, that once housed the country's most extravagant temples and royal residences and was hailed as the center of politics, religion and culture. Among the Imperial City's treasures are palaces, shrines and the Forbidden Purple City.

Sail the South China Sea; after the five oceans of the world, it is the world's largest body of water covering more than one million square miles.

Founded as a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now Vietnam's largest city. Though still commonly called Saigon, locals are as likely to simplify the name of their hometown to HCMC. No matter what you call it, it is a seamless blend of history and modern youthful energy, where pagodas and French colonial grandeur mingle with bustling old-world marketplaces and modern skyscrapers, all against a constant buzz of motor scooters and trill of bicycle bells. From enduring, narrow alleyways to wide, Parisian-style boulevards, Ho Chi Minh City has an identity all its own.

Ho Chi Minh City is a heady mix of French and Vietnamese cultures, where baguettes and croissants are sold alongside pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and motor scooters buzz past colonial-era architecture. The city's wide boulevards are reminiscent of Paris, lined with jewels such as the Opera House, fashioned after the Petit Palais, and the grand Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Aromatic food stalls and colorful shops purvey local specialties and all manner of Vietnamese wares, from conical hats to ao dai, the traditional silk tunic worn by women.

Despite Ho Chi Minh City's densely packed urban districts, there are several green spaces that can be enjoyed. In Tao Dan Park, locals can be spotted engaging in their daily morning exercise with a round of badminton, tai chi or the outdoor gym equipment. Afternoons welcome a number of classes, from aerobics to dance, attracting good-sized crowds. In addition to the wide open spaces, there are a variety of walking trails shaded by towering trees as well as water features and ponds to be admired.

The Gulf of Thailand, the massive sea basin bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, is still known as the Gulf of Siam to the Malay and Khmer people. Long stretches of sandy beach, low-lying emerald hills and soaring mountains surround this oval-shaped gulf. The lush hills of Botum Sakor National Park unfold north of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Along Thailand's shores, several beach-ringed islands point the way to Laem Chabang port.

Sihanoukville is perched on the end of a scenic elevated peninsula. Its almost uninterrupted stretch of sandy shores and turquoise waters lend it one of the nation's most picturesque settings. This sleepy city was developed after the French departed, so its streets are lined with less fanciful examples of New Khmer architecture and traveled by modern-day tuk-tuks, carriages pulled by motorcycle. The city's many beaches and offshore islands draw locals and visitors alike, making this one of Cambodia's prime seaside resorts.

Sihanoukville has an abundance of beautiful beaches and a lively culture along its shores, drawing backpackers, young adventurers and other beach lovers to its long stretches of sand. One of its most famous beaches, the tree-shaded Independence Beach, was visited by Jacqueline Kennedy in 1967 during her tour of Cambodia. The clean, white sands of Otres Beach, lined with casuarina trees and coconut palms, are also a firm favorite. At Serendipity Beach, locals and visitors take in the seaside vistas from one of the many beachside outdoor cafés.

Often called the “City of Angels,” Bangkok is Thailand's largest and most populous city. A sprawling and heady mix of modern skyscrapers, floating markets and longtail boats skimming the Chao Phraya River, the scintillating capital of old Siam engages all the senses. Yet it all seems devoutly grounded by the presence of its revered gilded wats, or temples. Wat Arun, in particular, can be seen from all corners of the city. This majestic riverside “Temple of Dawn” catches the first light of each day like a pearl, casting a soft glow on one of Asia's most remarkable cities.

Historic Siam of old, Bangkok is beautifully set on the Chao Phraya River. Thai culture is rich and engaging in this bustling center, and its origins are reflected through centuries-old Buddhist wats, or temples. The towering Wat Arun, named for the god of the rising sun, stands dramatically on the river's banks. The revered temples and elegant buildings within the walls of the renowned Grand Palace date to the late 1700s. A gilded array of golden pagodas and stupas (shrines), it has been the royal family's residence for more than 150 years.

Amid the bustle of cosmopolitan Bangkok, numerous temples pay tribute to the Buddha and his role in Thailand's spiritual life. The most prominent is Wat Arun, its soaring spire represents Mount Meru, mythology's home of the Hindu gods. At the 17th-century Wat Pho, Thailand's oldest and largest temple, a gold-leafed Buddha lies in repose. While the most venerated Buddha in the nation resides on the Grand Palace grounds in Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The 26-inch-tall figure carved from semiprecious jade draws pilgrims from all over the world.

Koh Samui is Thailand's second-largest island after Phuket and a paradise of swaying palms and scenic beaches. Sun-loving beachcombers from Thailand and beyond come to the island to wade, swim and lounge in the lapping tides. Until the early 1970s, this self-sufficient community had no roadways; crossing the island required a full-day trek across nine miles of mountainous jungle. Today, Koh Samui retains the slower pace of simpler times. The cherished traditions of old Siamese fishing villages, too, are preserved as tiny boats gently bob on turquoise waters.

Surrounded by palm-lined shores, idyllic resort towns and bustling port cites, the Gulf of Thailand provides an enriching glimpse of seaside locales in Southeast Asia. Home to a large diversity of marine life, the waters themselves also draw admirers of some of the world's most elusive sea creatures. Whale watching ships set off from shore hoping to spot Eden's whales and rare dwarf fin whales, sometimes encountering the Chinese white dolphin, Irrawaddy dolphin, manatee-like dugongs and the endangered hawksbill turtle.

This narrow passage between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra was a major route for early traders shipping glassware, precious stones, camphor, ivory and sandalwood. Today, it is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Along this historic waterway, the lush shores of Sumatra grace the horizon to the south, stretching out to lowlands, mangroves and swamps. The more urban skylines of Malaysia—George Town and Kuala Lumpur among them—shimmer in the distance to the north.

The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was built by Chinese tin prospectors in the mid-1800s. Since then, the city of KL, as the locals call it, has grown into a stunning mix of colonial, Moorish, Tudor, neo-Gothic and Grecian-Spanish architecture. The two-story shophouses of Old Market Square, with storefronts below and residences above, reveal the lives of merchants. The magnificent Petronas Towers are the centerpiece of this fascinating city; the side-by-side twin spires resemble a pair of rockets, connected by a two-story sky bridge that spans the 41st and 42nd floors.

Singapore is the world's only island city-state. Established in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed hotel is named, it grew from a secluded backwater into a shabby port city before transforming itself into a sophisticated metropolis. The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands host plentiful green parks with tree-lined footpaths and the stunning National Orchid Garden. For a panoramic view of it all, the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands towers offers the perfect solution.

Singapore transformed from a sparse island to the economic giant of Southeast Asia. Malays, Indonesians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Chinese have all contributed to the city's rise as one of the world's most technologically advanced cities. Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist temples rub elbows with Muslim mosques and Christian churches, alongside street signs in English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay. Singaporean cuisine, too, has been shaped by the many cultures that have converged here; there is no better place to sample local fares than at one of the city's many open air food courts.

Sail one of the world's most successful commercial trade routes in history. The countless crates of spices carried over the Java Sea reportedly contributed to the famed Dutch Golden Age.

Java is Indonesia's repository of history and island culture. The bustling port of Semarang was founded by the Dutch and hints of the island's colonial past dot the cityscape. Outside the city, Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, strikes a dramatic pose against a backdrop of four volcanoes. A popular place of pilgrimage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive pyramidal temple towers to a great height. The devout walk up a clockwise path to the pinnacle, passing 2,672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues along the way.

Surabaya played a central role in the Indonesian War of Independence. The memorials to that struggle stand as soaring testaments to the will and courage of the Javanese. Today, Surabaya is a diverse patchwork of vibrant cultures. Mosques stand proudly in the Arab district and elegant churches adorn the European quarter. But perhaps the most authentic way to fully experience Java's varied cultural influences is by tasting them. A stroll through the Pasar Pabean traditional market reveals fresh fish, vegetables, spices, incense and countless other specialties.

With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island's rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all things natural—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the beach—lending the island a peaceful air. Denpasar is the island's thriving capital. Founded as a market town, it still bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.