MS Noordam
December 19, 2027

Hong Kong offers docking at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Travelers explore Victoria Peak and Temple Street Market. Excursions visit Lantau Island’s Big Buddha. Local markets sell dim sum. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour vistas. Dining onboard includes char siu, a Hong Kong favorite. Souvenirs, like jade crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cantonese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the subtropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Hong Kong’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural markets, making Hong Kong an engaging destination.

Halong Bay, Vietnam, no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to junk boats. Travelers kayak limestone karsts and caves like Sung Sot. Zodiacs explore floating villages. No facilities; provisions from ship. Peak season October to April; fog in winter. Photography captures emerald waters. Dining onboard includes fresh seafood. Souvenirs, like bay prints, in ship shops. Briefings on cave etiquette. Light clothing for humidity. UNESCO-listed Halong’s 1,600 islands provide iconic Vietnamese scenery.

Returning to Cruise Halong Bay — see Day 3 above for port info.

Da Nang in Vietnam has docking at Tien Sa Port. Travelers explore Hoi An’s ancient town, a UNESCO site. Excursions visit Marble Mountains’ caves. Local markets sell silk lanterns. The peak season, February to August, avoids monsoons; taxis cost 100,000-200,000 VND. Photography captures Cham temples. Dining onboard includes banh mi. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover cultural heritage. Light clothing suits the tropical climate. Da Nang’s beaches and history provide a vibrant Vietnamese coastal stop.

Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, offers docking at Phu My Port with excursions to Ho Chi Minh City. Travelers explore Notre-Dame Basilica and Cu Chi Tunnels. Excursions visit Mekong Delta. Local markets sell phở. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for city tours. Photography captures colonial architecture and South China Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes banh mi, a Vietnamese favorite. Souvenirs, like lacquerware, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Viet history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Phu My’s cultural gateway offers a vibrant Vietnamese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic deltas, making Phu My an engaging destination.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia, offers docking at Sihanoukville Port. Travelers explore Otres Beach and Ream National Park. Excursions include snorkeling at Koh Rong. Local markets sell lok lak. The peak season, November to March, brings dry weather for coastal tours. Photography captures sandy beaches and Gulf of Thailand vistas. Dining onboard includes kuy teav, a Cambodian favorite. Souvenirs, like krama scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Khmer history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while water shoes enhance beach exploration. Sihanoukville’s coastal allure offers a vibrant Cambodian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of scenic beaches and marine adventures, making Sihanoukville an engaging destination for exploration.

Pattaya is a city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast known for its beaches. A quiet fishing village as recently as the 1960s, it’s now lined with resort hotels, high-rise condos, shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs. Nearby, hillside Wat Phra Yai Temple features an 18m-tall golden Buddha. The area also features several designer golf courses, some with views of Pattaya Bay.

Returning to Pattaya — see Day 11 above for port info.

Ko Samui, Thailand, has docking at Nathon Port. Travelers explore Big Buddha Temple and Chaweng Beach. Excursions visit Ang Thong Marine Park. Local markets sell coconut candy. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures palm-lined beaches and limestone islands. Dining onboard includes khao soi, a Thai noodle dish. Souvenirs, like silk scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Thai culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Snorkeling gear enhances marine park exploration. Ko Samui’s vibrant beaches offer a lively Thai stop, blending culture with tropical allure.

Malacca, Malaysia, features docking at Malacca Port. Travelers explore Jonker Street’s vibrant night market and Stadthuys’ Dutch colonial architecture. Excursions visit A’Famosa Fort’s ruins. Local markets sell nyonya laksa. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather for sightseeing. Photography captures colorful shophouses and Malacca River views. Dining onboard includes chicken rice balls, a local specialty. Souvenirs, like batik fabrics, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Malacca’s trading history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Malacca’s rich blend of Malay, Chinese, and colonial heritage offers a vibrant Malaysian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a dynamic mix of historic sites, bustling markets, and cultural diversity, making Malacca a captivating destination for exploring Malaysia’s storied past and lively present.

Port Klang, Malaysia, has docking at Port Klang with excursions to Kuala Lumpur. Travelers explore Petronas Towers and Batu Caves. Excursions visit Chinatown’s markets. Local markets sell durians. The peak season, December to April, brings dry weather. Photography captures urban skylines and limestone caves. Dining onboard includes nasi lemak, a Malaysian favorite. Souvenirs, like batik fabrics, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Malaysian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city tours. Port Klang’s access to Kuala Lumpur offers a vibrant Malaysian stop, blending urban energy with cultural richness.

Singapore offers docking at Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Travelers explore Gardens by the Bay and Merlion Park. Excursions visit Sentosa Island. Local markets sell Hainanese chicken rice. The peak season, November to March, brings milder weather for city tours. Photography captures futuristic skylines and Singapore Strait vistas. Dining onboard includes laksa, a Singaporean favorite. Souvenirs, like orchid crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peranakan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Singapore’s urban charm offers a vibrant stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of modern landmarks and cultural heritage, making Singapore an engaging destination for exploration.