DESTINATIONS - Far East
Why go there?
For unspollt islands, great cites, fabulous shopping, colourful markets, and beautiful gardens, pagodas and temples.
Why cruise there?
A cruise quite literally takes the sweat out of experiencing the steamy Orient, carrying you in air conditioned comfort from port to port, culture to culture.
When would I go, what will the weather be like and what should I pack?
Cruises to the Far East are available year-round but - broadly speaking - our winter months are the most comfortable time to visit, when humidity and rainfall are at their lowest. As a result, hotel prices are higher in the winter - worth considering if you plan to combine a cruise with a stay ashore.
Whenever you go, take an umbrella and a light mac, and pack breathable cotton clothing to minimise the effects of humidity.
What are the options?
Only one cruise line - Star Cruises - is based in the Far East year-round, offering everything from three to seven day cruises packaged into longer holidays by operators including Kuoni.
World cruises (which depart in early January) always spend some time in the Far East, while many operators feature Oriental cruises of varying durations as part of their exotic cruise programmes. Unless passengers have time to take a very long cruise from the UK, Far East cruising will involve long flights out and back.
What to do ashore?
Most shore excursions involve at east some element of travel by rickshaw and options include city tours, visits to palaces and temples and trips to markets and other local areas of interest. More adventurous options include water rafting in the Philippines and boat trips around Malaysia's lovely Langkawi Islands.
Which cruise lines go there?
Star Cruises is the main Asia operator and its big ship SuperStar Virgo offers passengers a taste of the East afloat with top-quality Chinese and Japanese restaurants - it also has the first Indian restaurant afloat.
Other operators offering one-off or short series cruises around the Far East include
What type of traveller goes there?
Anybody considering a long haul holiday; those whose tried a one or two centre Far East holiday and want to see more.
