What a luxury to have 6 weeks in SE Asia! Other than the Philippines, where else in SE Asia have you been?

Thailand is easy, it has the best tourist infrastructure in the area and has lots to do and see. Bangkok is my favorite city in the world, and is well worth some time. From there you can go north to the hill country or south to the beaches. It's also a great jumping off point to visit the temples of Angkor in Cambodia and to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Malaysia also has lots to do and see. Consider some time in Malaysian Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) as well as time in peninsular Malaysia. I love the Georgetown area of Penang, a delightful world heritage site with what may be the best hawker food in the world. I find Kuala Lumpur not as interesting, but it is worth a few days.

don't tell me you are taking the soltice?? i want to do that!! but we are already committed to SEA during that time.

the ship is fantastic and i bet you are in for a treat..

so many things and places to go: bali for a week---thailand for 2 weeks--vietnam for 10 days---cambodia for 5 days..

Thank you for taking the time to respond. Yes, we taking the Solstice and maybe the Millenium after. Thanks, again, for your kind thoughts.

Thailand in general will have better weather than Malaysia in December and with 6 weeks you can even one or two more countries. Apart from the places that Kathie have suggested perhaps Burma might interest you.

Thank you, Hanuman. Will consider Burma.

If you are seriously considering Burma, you need to get going on reservations as soon as possible. There has been a huge surge in tourism in Burma, overwhelming the tourist infrastructure. You will need an agent in Yangon to book flights and hotels for you.

Get a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide, and start reading trip reports here. Her are links to my two reports:
from 2009: www.fodors.com/community/asia/burma-at-last.cfm
from 2011: www.fodors.com/community/asia/still-wowed-by-burma.cfm

There are lots of other Burma trip repots here. Go to the top of the page and choose view by country and start reading trip reports! Burma is a destination that takes lots of research and preparation.

Ohhh... it's nice to hear that you will have your cruise vacation. I experience it once and i really enjoyed!Enjoy the time onboard! and Try to visit Krabi thailand, the place is so beautiful..