Far East Cruise: Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Borneo

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Includes airfare, fuel surcharges, great hotels, transfers, many meals, touring and more!

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Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong

Discover some of the most fascinating and diverse destinations in the Far East—Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Borneo—whose sleek skyscrapers, world-class shopping, pulsing nightlife and booming economies have blossomed in the midst of ancient culture and tradition. These are some of the most exotic and magnificent places on earth, and you can enjoy them all at prices that are truly extraordinary! But be sure to reserve your spot soon, as space is limited and likely to sell out very quickly!

Itinerary at a Glance & Port Call Times

Tour Name
Day	Port of Call	Arrive	Depart
4	Singapore		8 pm
5	At sea	--	--
6	Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	8 am	4 pm
7	At sea	--	--
8	Da Nang, Vietnam	8 am	7 pm
9	At sea	--	--
10	Hong Kong, China	7 am	11 pm
11	At sea	--	--
12	Manila, Philippines	9 am	8 pm
13	At sea	--	--
14	Kota Kinabalu & Borneo, Malaysia	8 am	8 pm
15	Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei	8 am	5 pm
16	At sea	--	--
17	Singapore	9 am

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Depart USA. Your exciting journey begins this evening as you check-in for your China Airlines flight.

Day 2: En route. Cross the International Date Line and lose one day en route. While in Taipei, you will have the use of a hotel room during the layover between flights.

Singapore cityscape

Day 3: Singapore. Arrive tonight in Singapore, an island gem and dazzling blend of east and west. After completing customs formalities, you'll be escorted to your hotel for an evening's rest.

Day 4: Singapore. After breakfast, the morning is free for you to explore Singapore at your leisure.

Costa Allegra Risto Montmartre dining room

Early this afternoon, you'll be transferred to the port to board your luxury cruise ship, the Costa Allegra. Depart later tonight for your high seas adventure through the Far East. (D)

Day 5: At sea. All the fantastic facilities of the ship are available to you as you spend the day at sea. Stroll the ample decks, swim, and take advantage of the many leisure activities aboard the ship. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Arrive this morning in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll have the opportunity to experience the hustle and bustle of daily Vietnamese life in this dynamic city. Explore on your own or join a guided optional shore excursion.

Cu Chi tunnel entrance

One excursion takes you to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels, constructed by the Viet Minh in the 1940's. This incredible network of tunnels once stretched for 210 miles and contained extensive Viet Cong infrastructure including tactical quarters, storage rooms, kitchens, a school and even an underground hospital. Most entrances were so well disguised that only a small portion of the system was ever discovered during the war, despite the fact that some 125 miles ran under a U.S. military base. (B,L,D)

Day 7: At sea. Enjoy downtime on your ship as you continue sailing to your next port-of-call. (B,L,D)

Thuy Son caves, Vietnam © danang.gov.vn

Day 8: Da Nang, Vietnam. The coastal city of Da Nang serves as one of Vietnam's most important ports. During the Vietnam War, Da Nang was home to a huge U.S. Air Force base. However, it is best known for its impressive art and architecture from the Cham Dynasty, dating from the 4th to 14th centuries. Just south of Da Nang are the Marble Mountains, five marble hills representing the elements of the universe—water, wood, fire, metal and earth. One of the mountains, Thuy Son, is honeycombed with caves containing Cham, Buddhist, and Confucian relics, pagodas, and temples.

China Beach Photo by Donald Huxtable

Another area attraction is China Beach, a former U.S. recreation base, well known for its sparkling white-sand coast and excellent views of the Marble Mountains. Choose from several optional tours of Da Nang or other nearby cities such as My Son, Hoi An, or Hue (B,L,D)

Day 9: At sea. Rest and relax onboard after yesterday's long day of touring. (B,L,D)

Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

Day 10: Hong Kong, China. Prepare to be dazzled by a breathtaking "symphony of lights" in cosmopolitan Hong Kong. City-lovers worldwide rank Hong Kong among their must-see destinations. A former British colony perched on the edge of mainland China, Hong Kong is a fascinating city of contrasts—a place where East meets West; where the modern blends with the traditional; where shiny skyscrapers stand next to narrow alleys crammed with traditional vendors' stalls; where new technology flourishes alongside ancient Chinese customs.

Mongkok Street © discoverhongkong.com

With its plethora of sites to explore, its glorious harbor, excellent shopping, renowned restaurants, and some of the best nighttime skyline views in the world, Hong Kong has it all. Explore on your own, or choose from several optional shore excursions. (B,L,D)

Day 11: At sea. Catch up on writing postcards, curl up with a good book, or treat yourself to a luxurious spa treatment as you sail to your next destination. (B,L,D)

Manila Bay, Philippines © Mike Gonzalez

Fort Santiago, Manila ©

Day 12: Manila, Philippines. An archipelago of 7,107 islands, the Philippines extends from the south of China all the way to Borneo. With over a hundred ethnic groups and a mixture of foreign influences, Filipino culture is a unique and exotic fusion. Today's optional shore excursions offer plenty of opportunities for you to experience the ancient and modern highlights of the upbeat capital city of Manila. Discover the charms of Old Manila on an optional panoramic tour that begins with Rizal Park, which features an impressive monument to Jose Rizal, the country's national hero. Continue to Fort Santiago and Intramuros to see the remnants of the walls of Manila when it was still under Spanish colonial rule. Conclude the shore excursion with a visit to Makati, a growing residential and business complex known as "Millionaires' Row." (B,L,D)

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Day 13: At sea. (B,L,D)

Day 14: Kota Kinabalu & Borneo, Malaysia. Today is yours to explore Kota Kinabalu, one of most beautiful and most relaxed cities in the world. You'll find sandy white beaches everywhere and a water-temperature that is always pleasing.

Hornbills, Malaysia © Tourism Malaysia

Take advantage of several exciting optional shore excursions, one of which takes you the breathtaking Kinabalu Park, located at the base of Mount Kinabalu. Standing at 13,500 ft above sea level, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Southeast Asia. Its foothills and surrounding area have an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, and Kinabalu Park, which covers an area of 291 square miles, has become a favorite among nature lovers. Visit the Exhibit Center and Mountain Garden to learn more about the natural wonders of the park. (B,L,D)

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Brunei

Day 15: Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. Today, continue sightseeing on the north coast of Borneo at another fascinating port-of-call—Brunei. This tiny, wealthy country is the remnant of a once-powerful sultanate that ruled the region. The capital of Bandar Seri Begawan looks relatively modern since being rebuilt after World War II, but many parts of the city date back to the 7th century, including the city's water village (Kampong Ayer), dubbed the "Venice of the East" when Magellan visited in 1521. These villages, built on stilts in the Brunei River, are linked together by boardwalks and 29 km of foot-bridges, and include mosques, restaurants, a school and a hospital.

Istana Nurul Iman Palace, Brunei

Other attractions include the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, an incredibly ornate mosque featuring a gold dome, a lagoon, an observation deck, and an impressive collection of exquisite marble, carpets and furnishings. Yet, for all of its grandeur, the mosque is still not the city's most opulent building; that title goes to the Sultan's palace, Istana Nurul Iman. The world's largest palace still in use, this royal residence houses 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall for 4,000 guests, 564 chandeliers, and a parking garage to house the Sultan's 400 cars. (B,L,D)

Day 16: At sea. Enjoy a final day at sea en route to Singapore. (B,L,D)

Singapore Parliament

Day 17: Singapore. Arrive this morning in Singapore. As one of the world's busiest ports, Singapore bustles with activity. Thanks to the country's dedication to cultural preservation, the island brims with excellent museums and ethnically diverse neighborhoods. Today, take time to discover the unique intermingling of cultures that define Singapore.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

Must-see sites include the Thian Hock Keng, one of the oldest temples in Singapore; Mount Faber, for beautiful panoramic views of the harbor and skyline; and the Botanical Gardens, where the National Orchid Garden is housed along with impressive displays of roses, palms, and bonsai. Finish the tour with a stroll through the colorful streets of Little India or vibrant Chinatown, the heart of Singapore's traditional Chinese community.

The food in Singapore is as varied as its multicultural residents, so be sure savor the amazing array of delicacies in this culinary mecca. (B)

Day 18: Depart Singapore/USA. Your exciting adventure through the Far East comes to an end today as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to the US, arriving later today.

About Your Cruise Ship, the Costa Allegra

Click here for specifications, deck plans and more photos of the ship.

Carrying only 800 passengers, the intimate Costa Allegra cruise ship is a vessel of imagination and opulence. The play of light on glass and water transforms this magnificent ship into a floating work of art. Inside, the style is contemporary—bright colors blend with a cheerful decor, accented with exquisite hand-cut peach and rose Carrara marble.

Costa Allegra Atrium

The Allegra features a glass atrium spanning three decks and a retractable dome that opens up to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the sky. Fountains stream into pools that also serve as skylights for the rooms below. Outside, you will find a swimming pool and three Jacuzzis on the spacious sun deck. Leisure facilities include a fully-equipped fitness center, the Caracalla Spa, a shopping center, a casino, and a library/internet café.

Costa Allegra Oceanview Cabin

The Allegra’s staterooms are fully appointed, including satellite TV, air-conditioning & mini bar. Dine at three onboard restaurants, including the Montmartre, which features a stunning wall of glass for horizon-wide sea views. After dinner, meet friends for coffee at the Piazetta Allegra, for a drink at the Murano Bar, or for dancing under the stars at the glass-domed Crystal Club Disco.

The Costa Allegra is registered in Italy.

Destination FAQs

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Vietnam, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Hong Kong, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Brunei, click here.

For quick answers to Frequently Asked Questions about travel to Malaysia, click here.

This...was a terrific and inexpensive way to see the beauty and history of Southeast Asia. There was a very good balance of group and leisure time, and the accommodations were excellent.

— Jennifer Rumain, Philadelphia, PA

testimonial photo Our trip was fabulous, one of the best we've ever taken. You have added some great stops, really enhancing the itinerary.

— Michael & Carol Fagan

Just returned from Thailand, full to the brim! This was an exceptional tour—pace, activities, options, hotels, all exceeded expectations. Our guide, Lek, was outstanding—sensitive to our wants and needs, knowledgable and instructive, generous in providing "tastes" of Thailand on our excursion and arranging optional visits to places close to her heart that we otherwise would have missed. Our days were full; hers seemed to never stop. Cambodia too was an amazing experience, again with our guide Long catering to the special travel needs of our group. This trip changed my bias against directed tours...Thank you, Friendly Planet!

— Kristi McKenzie, Bingham Farms, MI