Cruises to the Far East and Middle East

Home to spectacular wildlife and surreal baobab trees, Madagascar is a beautiful but impoverished island off the coast of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. Tulear and Nosy Be are both beautiful and popular ports of call, but for a real experience of the island you may want to step ashore at the newly built Port d’Ehoala for the colonial town of Fort Dauphin. Here you could head out and explore Berenty Reserve, home to the island’s iconic lemurs, along with exotic birds and butterflies in Saiadi Botanic Garden and the lush green landscape of Andohahela National Reserve. North of Madagascar lie the stunning Seychelles, a group of 115 islands known for their paradise beaches, unique wildlife and vivid turquoise waters. The capital Victoria can be found on Mahe Island, and offers a great choice of sightseeing if you’re heading here on a cruise. You could immerse yourself in the islands’ rich heritage at the National History Museum, relax with a trip to the tropical Botanical Gardens or the beach of Beau Vallon, or get a feel for local life as you browse the market stalls for regional foods, spices, jewellery and works of art.

From bustling Mumbai to the beautiful port city of Kochi, India’s lush green western coast makes for some beautiful sights during your voyage. You could jump into everyday life in Mumbai during a tour to the Ghandi Museum, Jain Temple and the famous Gateway of India – or take a trip to the world-famous shrine to love, the Taj Mahal. Kochi meanwhile lies in the heart of Kerala, India’s magnificent garden state. The port is home to rich history and folklore, and it’s the perfect place to try some milder, sweeter dishes that make the most of the fresh catch from the iconic fishing nets lining the bay.

It’s impossible to think of Indonesia without the island of Bali springing immediately to mind. The white sands and vivid turquoise waters of this paradise destination embody everything there is to love about the exotic East. A cruise here can give you the chance to try everything from an elephant trek through lush tropical forest to sightseeing trips around magnificent ancient temples. With a rich choice of attractions ranging from river rafting down the Ayung to Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, there’s a good chance that you’ll come away from Bali and immediately want to go back. In stark contrast to the rolling hills and ancient temples of Bali, the ultra-modern city state of Singapore couldn’t be more different. Many cruises in Asia and the Indian Ocean set sail from cosmopolitan Singapore, giving you the chance to see the city in full during a hotel stay before you cruise. Look out for the towering solar trees that collect sunlight and rainwater to feed the city park at their base, along with some stunning ultra-modern architecture like the Cloud and ArtScience Museum that hint at Singapore’s love affair with art and design.

A beautiful and unique part of the world to explore, Japan has a culture that sets it apart. Taking a cruise around the islands is the perfect way to experience a good cross-section of Japan’s rich history and modern culture – from the cherry blossoms and elegant wooden castles of Nagoya and Hiroshima to the European homes, cutting-edge fashion and spectacular lights of cities like Kobe and Tokyo.

It’s the number one destination for countless backpackers and holiday goers, and with its rich art and history combined with some gorgeous tropical landscapes it’s not hard to see why. Thailand’s famous capital, Bangkok, is where you’ll discover brightly coloured Buddhist landmarks including the Temple of Dawn and the Temple of the Reclining Buddha – and also a fantastic place to really jump in and enjoy life (and nightlife) in Asia. Elsewhere in Thailand you could be sailing for Koh Samui and Phuket, which are the kind of places you just won’t want to leave once you set eyes on them. Located on either side of Thailand’s Kra Isthmus (the narrow strip of land that juts into the ocean), both Phuket  and Koh Samui boast some jaw-dropping white-sand beaches, rich green forest and characteristic free-standing rock formations in their turquoise seas.

Head for bustling Ho Chi Minh City and you’ll get a crash course in the sights and sounds of modern Vietnam. It’s also a great opportunity to see how the nation’s rich history and culture still holds sway here. Landmarks such as Independence Palace, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica create pertinent reminders of Vietnam’s colonial struggle and political conflict, but it’s in the beautiful traditional monoliths that you get to see the nation’s real beauty and heritage. Sights like the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the magnificent statues hidden in Danang’s Marble Mountains are the real sights here and can show you a side to Vietnam that pushes past its 20th century image.