Asia & Far East

A richly fascinating past; an enthralling, exhilarating present and the most mind-bogglingly incredible future – treat yourself to a taste of all that on one amazing Far East cruise.

With such a fantastic fusion of colourful cultures, sensational sightseeing, celebrated cuisine and the most wonderfully warm and welcoming people in the world this is a holiday like no other.

You’ll visit exotic tropical beaches, multi-coloured markets and charismatic cities where relics of the Orient of centuries past sit alongside ultra-modern examples of the  exciting times to come.

It’s a region on the move, literally and metaphorically, as its peoples scurry to shake off the shackles of a regimented past to throw themselves headlong into bright new tomorrows, all the while respecting and celebrating the heritage that’s shaped their progress. There’s never been a better time to sample the ever-changing delights of the Far East than right now.

Vibrant, thrilling and expanding Oriental cities like Singapore, Osaka, Hong Kong and the incredible Shanghai show off their spectacular cityscapes, with skylines speared by structures seemingly straight out of science-fiction.

Delve a little deeper, though, and you’re soon immersing yourself in narrow old streets where an altogether more serene way of life has trundled along forever, steadily and stoically, amid all the mayhem.

Take an excursion further inland during a stop-off and you’re into genteel rural landscapes, lovingly tended by locals employing techniques passed down by generations.

Spectacular scenery abounds as riverboat trips guide you through winding waterways that weave through lush tropical forest laden with exotic plant and animal life.

And the food! Aromatic, diverse, delicious, sometimes a little strange - but always sure to stir your senses as delightfully as does the region itself.

But it needn’t be all hectic hurrying from each new experience to the next.

Even in the most cheerily chaotic of cities like Bangkok you’ll find oases of calm, like a slow meander along inland waterways to barter your way to a bargain from a floating market. Or an afternoon of quiet contemplation as you stroll around an ornately adorned golden temple.

You can relax as well on golden beaches that welcome visitors with their sumptuously soft sand in the resorts of Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The region is shopping heaven with local crafts, jewellery, perfumes, hand-made clothing and the very latest electronic innovations all offered up by the plethora of stores, boutiques and stalls wherever you turn.

You may also be lucky enough to visit Yokohama, the beautiful gateway port leading you to the thrilling, energetic Japanese capital, Tokyo where icons of centuries-old tradition sit amidst the neon-clad skyscrapers of one of the world’s most modern and flourishing trade centres.

Then there’s Osaka, the exciting ‘kitchen of Japan’ where you can cross one of the network of quaint historic bridges to find the remarkable restaurant of your choice.

Some itineraries also include stops at ports on the Indian sub-continent, allowing you to discover the delights of the bustling, colourful city of Mumbai – one of the world’s most exciting and rapidly expanding economic hubs with amazing local markets and sensational restaurants.

Cochin is the gateway to the fascinating region of Kerala from where you can take a leisurely boat trip along one of the atmospheric backwaters to enjoy a lunch of delightfully spiced, locally caught fish.

You may also get a chance to spend some time at leisure on the beautiful beaches of Goa, sipping a beer or snacking on amazing seafood at one of the seafront shacks.

You’ll return with an abundant array of lifetime memories from the treasure trove of experiences you’ll enjoy on your Far East and Asia cruise holiday with one of the world’s leading lines, including Costa, P&O, Holland America, and Cunard,