Enchanting Far East 1

Cable car mountain ride

The main attraction on this trip is Langkawi’s mountain-scaling cable car. To start the day, though, you’ll spend time at the Rice Garden Museum. View the traditional tools that are used to tend paddies, and learn about the island’s history of rice cultivation. Next, you’ll visit the Oriental Village – an entertainment and shopping complex that’s themed like a local settlement. It shares the same postcode as the cable car’s base station, so you won’t have to walk far to start your ascent. Take a seat in one of the gondolas, and you’re ready to begin the steep climb up Machinchang Mountain. The sweeping panoramas are only bettered by the views from the top, so remember to pack your camera. You’ll be able to see the tree-blanketed hills melt into the Strait of Malacca from up here, and when you’re back at ground level, there’s a wedge of free time to grab a bite at the Oriental Village.

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Experience of Langkawi

From soaring statues to tapping trees, this trip takes in an armful of Langkawi’s best bits. You’ll start with a visit to Dataran Lang – or Eagle Square in plainer terms. This star-shaped platform juts out into Kuah Bay, with a 40-foot statue of a flapping eagle perched on top. The whole thing’s a nod to Langkawi’s name, which is an old Malay mixture of the words helang and kawi – which mean eagle and reddish-brown. Next, you’ll head to a museum that’s packed with thousands of gifts and awards that were heaped on Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister. Things get rural after this, as you visit a rubber plantation on the outskirts of the town. Watch as incisions are made in the bark of rubber trees, and latex is extracted in a process known as ‘tapping’. Last up, you’ll pop to Atma Alam – an art village where pretty batik fabrics are designed and printed.

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Heights & Sights of Penang

For the best views of Penang Island, you won’t do better than this tour. You’ll start by boarding a coach that’s bound for the foot of Penang Hill, where the oldest funicular railway in south east Asia ferries visitors to the panoramic peak. From the top, you’ll have widescreen views across the surrounding countryside. Snap pictures from one of the walkways or observation platforms, or explore the surrounding gardens. After the return journey in a glass-sided railway car, there’s still time to fit in another sightseeing stop. Kek Lok Si is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Malaysia, and your guide will take you on a tour of the ornate halls and colourful grounds. Once you’re done, your driver will shuttle you back to the port.

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Buddha, Spices & Batik

Penang’s most impressive manmade sites are coupled with natural beauties on this tour. Gaze at one of the world’s largest reclining Buddha statues at Wat Chaiyamangkalaram – it’s the temple’s major showpiece and stretches out for more than 100 feet. Head to the north coast of Penang Island, and you’ll have a guided walk around the Tropical Spice Garden. The pretty grounds at this eco-tourism spot are packed with exotic plants and wildlife. Find your favourite patterns and colours at a traditional batik factory, and soak up the views as you take the coastal road back to the port. On the way, you’ll make a stop at the historic living heritage community at Chew Jetty – a cluster of wooden houses built on stilts. There’s also time to snap a picture or two of the 18th-century garrison in George Town, Fort Cornwallis.

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Kuala Lumpur highlights

You’ll spend the day flitting between Kuala Lumpur’s best bits, ranging from traditional sights to modern marvels. After you’ve been driven into the city centre, the checklist starts with a visit to the National Museum. Here, you’ll be able to witness authentic Malay culture, ancient artefacts and traditional musical instruments. One of the nation’s most visited spots is next on the to-do list – Independence Square. The pristine lawns in the centre were once used as a cricket pitch, and the Malaysian colours fly from one of the world’s tallest flagpoles at the southern end. Check out the bustling lanes of Central Market, before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant. Next, you can pose for pictures at the foot of the city’s most iconic attraction – the twin Petronas Towers. Last on the agenda’s an elevator ride to the observation deck of the KL Tower – a needle-like structure that offers panoramas across the skyline.

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Batu Caves and city sights

Don’t worry about choosing between Kuala Lumpur’s natural and manmade wonders – on this trip you’ll get to see both. The Batu Caves are first on the agenda, and you’ll have time to explore the vast limestone halls which were carved out millions of years ago. After you’ve climbed the 350-step staircase to reach the entrance, you’ll see a gilded statue of a Hindu god towering above you. Inside, the craggy rock faces have idols and shrines dotted between them. You’ll head into the city next for a spot of lunch and a haggling session at the vibrant Central Market. Things wrap with photo stops at a couple of the city’s poster boys – the National Palace and the mighty Petronas Towers.

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Snapshot of Singapore

This tour is an easy introduction to Singapore’s best bits. First, you’ll drive through Little India – a bite-sized version of India squeezed into a district. As you’d expect, it’s got temples, markets and colourful street decorations galore. Next, you’ll pass through the Colonial District, which is sprinkled with reminders of Singapore’s time under British rule. One of its most famous landmarks is the grand, whitewashed Raffles Hotel, where the city-state’s national cocktail – the Singapore Sling – was originally created in 1915. After, you’ll get to see Singapore’s natural side with a visit to the Gardens by the Bay. You can crane your neck and peer up at the magnificent supertrees, or stroll along the aerial walkway for a close-up view of the futuristic gardens. And the view is even more impressive at your last stop. You’ll look out over Singapore and Sentosa Island from the top of Mount Faber.

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Singapore by land, air and sea

You’ll see Singapore from every angle on this tour. On land, you’ll visit the UNESCO-ticked Botanic Gardens. This huge, 74-hectare site is divided into different areas, including a rainforest, a lake and a healing garden filled with medicinal plants. Then you’ll hit the water for a boat ride, this unique vessel once carried cargo between ships and the riverside quays, but now carries passengers along Singapore’s historic waterfront. You’ll see Clarke Quay, where brightly painted bars and restaurants have taken up residence in once-abandoned warehouses. And you can marvel at Singapore’s old-meets-new skyline, where colonial-era buildings rub shoulders with 21st-century high-rises. Then you’ll take to the skies on the Singapore Flyer. The observation wheel trumps the London Eye at a whopping 165 meters tall, so you’ll be eye-to-eye with some of Singapore’s skyscrapers. And you can take in the 360° views of the cityscape from your air-conditioned glass capsule.

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Surf & Turf Steakhouse

As its name suggests, this à la carte eatery specialises in the likes of marbled steaks and meaty lobster tails. You’ve also got other meat and fish options, as well as plenty to satisfy a vegetarian palate. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

47°

Marella Discovery 2’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery.

Ancient Temples of Koh Samui

There’s more to Koh Samui than beaches – this tour introduces you to the island’s spiritual side. You’ll hop between three of its most important temples, or wats. First up is the Khunaram Temple. It’s the sunglass-wearing mummified monk here that gets tourists talking. He died 30 years ago, sitting in the meditation position, and his body shows little signs of decay. Next, it’s onto the hilltop Big Buddha Temple. Like the name suggests, this place lines up a big, golden Buddha, as well as great sea views. Just down the hill, you’ve got Wat Plai Laem. Built in 2004, this temple’s a colourful, modern take on a Thai-Chinese temple. It’s dominated by two giant statues – one of a fat laughing Buddha, the other of an 18-arm goddess. And it’s surrounded by a huge lake, which is teeming with catfish – you can buy fish food from one of the nearby vending machines.

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Landmarks of Koh Samui

This tour is Koh Samui in a nutshell – visiting villages, temples and beaches. On the way to your first stop, you’ll pass traditional houses and rubber plantations. Then you’ll pull up at the Hin Ta Hin Yai rock formations. You might need to use your imagination for this one. The rocks – which are named Grandpa and Grandma – supposedly resemble female and male genitalia. Legend has it, they were formed from the bodies of an elderly couple who died at sea. There’s a complete change of scene next, with a visit to the Big Buddha Temple. This place has its own island – connected to Koh Samui via a causeway. The huge, golden Buddha statue sits at the top of hundreds of steps, but you’ll be rewarded with a close-up look and far-reaching sea views. After all this sightseeing, you can relax on the island’s longest belt of sand, Chaweng Beach.

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Panoramic Bangkok

After this trip, you’ll know Bangkok’s standout sites like the back of your hand. Once you’ve boarded an air-conditioned bus, you’ll head into the city’s Chinatown neighbourhood for the start of your panoramic tour. You’ll clock the Wat Traimit temple first of all, and will also pass the rainbow-like bouquets of the Flower Market. The grand city hall, the crimson Giant Swing and the royal Wat Suthat temple are all worth keeping an eye out for, and you’ll make your first photo stop at the ‘iron castle’ – Loha Prasat. This towering monastery was built for a princess in the 1800s, and its exterior is peppered with spiky black spires. Democracy Monument and the colourful Grand Palace are the next sights you’ll see, and you’ll also pass the Wat Pho temple, which is home to a huge reclining Buddha statue. Hop off for a photo at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall to round things off, then board the bus for the return journey.

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Temples and Thai Cuisine

Temples are the order of the day on this trip, and we’ve got some of Bangkok’s best lined up for you. Things get started with a stop at one of the most eye-catching of the lot, Wat Benchamabophit – also known as the Marble Temple. Next, you’ll get to cast an eye over a huge reclining statue of Buddha at the Wat Pho temple, before stopping at a hotel for a spot of lunch. Stack your plate high from the buffet table, which will be filled with tasty Thai cuisine. Once everyone’s hunger pangs are taken care of, you’ll head to the Wat Traimit temple. This place is home to a solid gold Buddha which weighs more than five tonnes, and spent years undiscovered under a coating of unspectacular plaster. After you’ve grabbed a few pictures, you’ll head back to the bus for the trip back to the ship.

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Highlights of Sihanoukville by Bus

There’s plenty of variety on this trip, as you skip from sightseeing to strolling down one of Sihanoukville’s trademark beaches. You’ll start with a slice of culture, as the coach takes you to the Wat Krom Buddhist temple. Once you’ve cast an eye over the colourful architecture and ornate statues, turn your back on the place for panoramic views of the town. On your way to the next attraction, you’ll make a stop at the Golden Lion Roundabout. This larger-than-life feature does exactly what it says on the tin, with two huge glimmering lion statues crouching in the middle of the road. Snap a picture, then you'll drive past Phsar Leu Market – the biggest collection of traditional stalls in Sihanoukville, with everything from fresh seafood to souvenirs on sale. Check out the pagoda-style Wat Leu temple on your way to the final stop – this gold-tinted building’s one of the most-visited places of worship around. The white sands of Ochheuteal Beach cap things off, where you’ll have some time to stroll along the waterfront.

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Sihanoukville Tuk Tuk Tour

On this tour, you’ll whizz around the seafront town of Sihanoukville in the back of a four-man tuk tuk. This mode of transport’s nothing unusual to the locals – think of it as Cambodia’s version of a black cab. Once you’re all seated, you’ll set off on a tour of the town’s best bits. The central stomping grounds are pretty laidback by day, but it’s easy to clock the bevy of bars and clubs which are populated by backpackers after dark.

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Surf & Turf Steakhouse

As its name suggests, this à la carte eatery specialises in the likes of marbled steaks and meaty lobster tails. You’ve also got other meat and fish options, as well as plenty to satisfy a vegetarian palate. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

47°

Marella Discovery 2’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery.

The Mighty Mekong Delta

You’ll leave the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City behind today, as you head out on a tour of the Mekong Delta. This place is a maze of rivers, swamps and tiny islands, where floating markets and villages are the norm. It’s known as Vietnam’s rice bowl, since it produces over half of the country’s grain. Boats are king around here, so you’ll hit the water in a traditional sampan. As you glide along, you’ll pass villages built along the river’s edge, as well as locals going about their daily business. You’ll stop off on Thoi Son Island, where you can tour a family-run coconut candy factory and a local bee farm. At the latter, you can meet the bees and sample the honey they produce, along with exotic jackfruit and dragon fruit. You’ll stop for lunch here, too, before returning to the ship.

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Ho Chi Minh City Highlights

You’ll tick off all the Ho Chi Minh City rites of passage today. After lunch, you’ll start a coach tour of downtown, which checks off the colonial-style Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral. You’ll also get to snap photos of the Reunification Palace – where the Vietnam War ended in 1975, when north Vietnamese troops captured Saigon. You’ll get to delve even deeper into the country’s past at the Museum of Vietnamese History, which houses artefacts spanning from the prehistoric period to the 19th-century Nguyen dynasty. While you’re here, you’ll watch a traditional water puppet show – expect to see puppet people, dragons and fairies dance across a stage of water. Then it’s off to take in more culture in Chinatown. You’ll make a pit stop at Thien Hau Pagoda – a pretty, Buddhist temple dedicated to Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. And then it’s on to a lacquer workshop, where souvenir-shopping is top of the agenda.

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Surf & Turf Steakhouse

As its name suggests, this à la carte eatery specialises in the likes of marbled steaks and meaty lobster tails. You’ve also got other meat and fish options, as well as plenty to satisfy a vegetarian palate. This is one of the ship's speciality restaurants, so there's a charge to dine here – plus, we recommend you make a reservation in advance.

47°

Marella Discovery 2’s main eatery is a big, stylish venue, finished in the colours of the sand and the sea. Daytime meals here come with a side-order of sea views, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and a grand double staircase leads up to a separate eatery.

Historic Malacca

Malacca’s nicknamed ‘The Historic State’, and this tour reels off a bunch of the region’s most iconic sights. To kick things off, you’ll drive through the city to the aptly named Dutch Square. The colonial architecture here’s a deep shade of red, and a windmill and bright flowerbeds are a nod to the former European settlers. Next, you’ll learn about a different set of predecessors at the ornate Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum – which tells the story of Chinese-Malay ancestors. Pay a visit to the Cheng Hoon Teng temple – the oldest temple in the country – in Malacca’s old town. Things wrap up with a final dose of culture, courtesy of the Villa Sentosa – a living museum which offers a snapshot of how a Malay family lives. Once you’ve had a good nose around, you’ll head back to the port.

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Scenic Malacca by road and river

Age-old architecture’s the starting point for this trip, as you pay a visit to Malacca’s berry-red Dutch Square. Pose for pictures in front of the colonial ring of buildings, and bag a souvenir or two from the surrounding shops. Next, you’ll take to the water on a boat trip along the Malacca River. Hop off a little way along, and you’ll have a chance to visit one of the city’s highest points – the Menara Taming Sari. When you reach the top of this needle-like tower, you’ll have panoramic views across the rooftops. Back at ground level, you’ll make a stop at the ruins of A Famosa – an ancient fort built by the Portuguese. And we’ve saved the best for last – a chance to see the modern Malacca Straits Mosque. When the tide comes in, this orange-domed structure looks like it’s floating on the surface of the water.

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