Laurel

I am looking for a cruise or tour to the Singapore area. Have any of you had experience with tours to this area? Also would like to visit other countries, ie: Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam etc. Any time of the year is fine for us to traved except July and August. Thanks in advance for your suggetions.

Skaye

We took a Seabourn cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore. Stopped at four places in Vietnam, Thailand and ended at Singapore. Seabourn is great because it is a small ship (superb service) but goes right into the cities. They only carry 208 passengers so you get ashore and seeing things right away. They do great land tours - only thing you shouldn't do - unless you have an unlimited amount of disposable income! is book your hotel for Hong Kong and Singapore with them. We flew with Singapore Airlines and went to the internet for hotels. The people on this board are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about Asia travel.

JamesA

The company you want is 'Star cruises', they operate 3-7 and longer cruises out of Singapore with magnificent ships, at least a couple of cruises every week. They go all around South East Asia, though in Auguest I think they stick more towards the China Sea/Gulf of Thailand for the better weather. They are great ships and fascinating ports of call, and the 'best' thing is as their main market is 'local' the prices are downright 'cheap' unless you compare you discounted Caribbean cruises, they are good value for money and are probably more 'laid back' than others, I'll get the site for you.

JamesA

That was easy

http://www.starcruises.com

I though would skip that main page and go straight to the Cruise Itinaires on:

http://www.starcruises.com./Itinerar...ore/index.html

and

http://www.starcruises.com./Itinerar...ong/index.html




Which shows you the maps and everything. Lucky you! Check with Singapore Airlines as I am sure they do all in packages for flights and cruise and stopover hotels etc.


Slow to load. I just noticed you said 'except July/August', that is fine, because some of the best cruise areas don't have good weather at that time. One of the most popular is the 7 day cruise from Singapore that takes in Langkawi and Phuket.

I think you can also do some 'back to back' cruises that also take in the Gulf of Thailand too.

Skaye

JamesA: We actually saw a couple of the Star ships docked in Hong Kong - actually on Kowloon Island right by the Star ferry. Bit big for us but we were talking with a couple of the passengers and they said it was great on board - lots to do in between stops..

JamesA

I've heard and read about Seabourn Cruises and rthey sound marvelous. The Star Cruise boats come in various sizes but overall they go for the regional market and are priced for that market, so good value. Also a great number of people take the 3 or 7 night cruise when traveling between Europe and Australia or v.v. Entertainment on board is excellent and a good range of food. I 'think' you can mix a cruise/stay and I know in the past they offered rates from Phuket so a few days in Phuket, 1 week cruise to Singapore and back and a few more days on the beach makes a great vacation.
Also of interest to some may be that they operate from Bangkok though actually the boat operates from a place called Luang Chabang which is about 1.5 hrs south east of Bangkok, just before Pattaya. So when people probably search for a cruise ex Bangkok they might not find it. It actually makes a good trip to take a few days cruise as part of the vacation.