Asia Cruise Expert Guide

Ever since Marco Polo returned from his 24-year trek to China at the end of the 13th century, Asia has beckoned travelers from around the world to explore its enchanted lands courtesy of an Asia cruise. Befitting of a continent that is the largest on Earth, the mesh of countries that make up this landmass embrace some mind-blowing extremes. The thickest forests, highest mountains and longest coastline on the planet all belong to Asia, as do some of the world's most varied wildlife and plant species..

Few places on Earth can offer cruise visitors such a varied and dramatic experience. From the vestiges of ancient China to the modern day wealth and opulence of Singapore and Taipei, an Asia cruise encapsulates thousands of years of history and diverse cultures in a single voyage...

When choosing an Asia cruise, tourists are presented with a variety of cruise routes to pick from. Many Asia cruises offering a taste of the Orient depart from Beijing in China, taking in Hong Kong and ports of call in Japan and along the Chinese coastline. The more exotic Asia cruises may include stops in Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand...

Other Asia cruise options include routes around the Bay of Bengal, and routes that follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo's return sea journey from China in 1293. The typical duration of an Asia cruise is 12-16 nights, although extended cruise vacations that take in a voyage through the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal can be arranged...

Destination highlights:

China: Beijing - the capital of China - is a 'must see' destination on every Asia cruise. The fabled Forbidden City and Temple Of Heaven, both of which are accessed through the vastness of Tiananmen Square, reside in Beijing. Only a short distance from the city is the Beijing section of the Great Wall of China.

Hong Kong:

A city on an island, Hong Kong is the antithesis of Beijing. Gleaming towers of power exude a modern wealth that contrasts sharply with the older districts of the Chinese capital. Hong Kong is one of the wealthiest places in the world - something that is very much in evidence as you walk the numerous districts on this thirty square-mile chunk of rock.

Singapore:

Singapore is the ultimate exotic destination on an Asia cruise. Situated at the southern tip of the Malaysian Peninsula, it represents the furthest point south an Asia cruise is likely to extend to. Here all year round warmth, stunning architecture and cuisine that is truly out of this world combine to make it a stop not to be missed.

John Metcalfe is the author and web publisher of A to Z Cruises your #1 source
for cruise information, discounts and great deals! Visit http://www.azcruises.com now to book your very own dream Asia Cruise vacation.

In The News:


Set sail for small ports
iAfrica.com
And those tired of arriving in port to find it crammed with giant ships and several thousand cruise passengers swarming all over town should certainly consider cruising on a smaller ship with access to less crowded and more remote destinations.


CruiseMates Cruise Guide

Royal Princess Entertainment Firsts
CruiseMates Cruise Guide
Without a doubt, the biggest news in cruising right now involves the introduction of two brand new cruise ships next year. First is Norwegian Breakaway in April, 2013, less than a year away. That ship will sail year round from New York City, ...

and more »

Financial Times

Sea-change: The Acciona prepares to compete in the Vendée Globe
Financial Times
By Victor Mallet Sailors like to distinguish themselves from powerboaters and pretend that theirs is an environmentally friendly sport using only the power of the wind. But the reality has always been rather dirtier. Cruising yachts, especially in the ...


Sail World

Fresh hopes for cruising sailors as EU attacks pirate lairs
Sail World
New hopes have been raised for cruising sailors wanting to cross the Indian Ocean with the very first proactive attack by European Union naval forces into Somalia this week, after promising to take more positive action. The EU Naval Force had announced ...

and more »

Mixing cruising with independent travel
Chicago Tribune
I used to think there were independent travelers and cruise passengers -- two mutually exclusive categories. But now, with cruising shedding its newlywed and geriatric stereotypes, all kinds of tourists are finding shipboard travel to be appealing.

and more »

Crystal Honors Soldiers From Around The World With Veterans' Gatherings
MarketWatch (press release)
Both ships will be sailing the western coast of France over the holiday weekend, with Crystal Symphony spending the rest of the summer in the Baltic region, and Crystal Serenity cruising the Mediterranean area until December.

and more »

InnerSea Discoveries/American Safari Cruises Christens Two Vessels for ...
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Safari Endeavour and Wilderness Explorer join the UN-CRUISE Fleet. Unveiling UN-CRUISE Adventures for its combined fleet of upscale yachts and expedition vessels, InnerSea Discoveries/American Safari Cruises inaugurated two boats in time for a full ...

and more »

TTR Weekly

New options for Chao Phraya cruises
TTR Weekly
A cruise on the River Chao Phraya is right up there as a must-do activity when visiting Bangkok. There are countless operators, big and small, competing for the charter or join-tour business and sailing an equally bewildering variety of river craft, ...


Sail World

The Blurr wins 2012 Elliott 5.9 Traveller Series opener at Opua
Sail World
Sailed over the weekend of May 19-20 2012, the host club was Opua Cruising Club which has several E5.9's racing regularly. 10 races were sailed in moderate to strong breeze with shifty and gusty conditions making for plenty of challenges.


In cruising, it's all about the destination
Dailyrecord.com
The report also said the highest influencer — more than one-third of those surveyed — said the destination of the cruise was the top reason for selecting a sailing. This fact was ahead of the ship, cost, overall experience and amenities, ...

and more »
Google News

Keltic Seafaring

Many academics are unable to handle the possibility of ships... Read More

Six-Star Cruising on Luxury Cruise Lines

A luxury cruise is just what the name implies, a... Read More

Dock and Deck Cleaning Business

A great addition to cleaning boats in a marina will... Read More

Want a Dream Career? Get a Job on a Yacht!

If you're the "outdoorsy" type, prefer to work on a... Read More

Atlantic Ocean at Great Depths

The Atlantic Ocean is Earth's second-largest ocean. It covers approximately... Read More

From Ocean Cruises and Ocean Liners to Vacation Cruises and Cruise Ships

The golden age of transatlantic ocean shipping and travel began... Read More

Cleaning Sails

Washing SailsOften you will see a beautiful sail boat with... Read More

Yacht Competition Racing for the Disabled Takes Off!

Yacht racing, though it may seem like "a breeze" to... Read More

The Alaska Cruise- A Living Memory

The Alaska cruise is a major attraction drawing vacationers with... Read More

Exploring the Exotic - Antarctica Cruise

Antarctica is one of the great unexplored areas of the... Read More

How to Choose Alaskan Cruise-Tours with Princess Cruise Lines Vacation Packages

Are you planning to take a cruise- tour vacation to... Read More

Silversea Cruises! Committed To Elegance, Luxury, And Gracious Hospitality

Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is... Read More

Like a Chicken to Water... Your First Steps on a Boat

Some people step onto a boat and are straight at... Read More

Alaska Glacier Cruises: Alaska Up Close and Personal

What do you have in mind for your next vacation?... Read More

Interesting 5 Tips that First-Timer Cruisers Need to Know

First-time cruisers sometimes confuse about choosing the destination for neither... Read More

Wanted! Adventurous Guests Looking For a New Experience on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Wanted! Adventurous guests looking for a new experience on a... Read More

Italy Cruise Expert Guide

History, wine, serene beauty, dramatic people and stunning views -... Read More

Beautiful Tropical Beaches!

The world is blessed with wonderful beautiful sandy tropical beaches.... Read More

Sailing Itineraries

SAILING ITINERARIES IN GREECE - A PROPOSAL Bellow you may... Read More

Bingo At Sea?

Under the "G" for Great Holiday. Bingo players can take... Read More

Alaska Cruise Ship Vacations

Alaska is one of the world's great cruise destinations, particularly... Read More

Taking A Paddleboat Cruise

In May my husband and I took a wonderful steamboat... Read More

Boat Detailing - Diagnosing Gel Coat Surfaces

Determining Oxidation Levels on Your Yacht and how to deal... Read More

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises! Where Luxury Goes Exploring

Luxury goes exploring! How faithfully these words portray the elegance,... Read More

Why Take a Cruise Vacation?

Have you considered taking a cruise vacation but just aren't... Read More