Norwegian Jewel
December 22, 2023

Laem Chabang, Thailand, has docking at Laem Chabang Port with excursions to Bangkok. Travelers explore Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha and Grand Palace. Excursions visit Pattaya’s beaches. Local markets sell mango sticky rice. The peak season, November to February, brings dry weather. Photography captures temples and urban skylines. Dining onboard includes tom kha gai, a Thai soup. Souvenirs, like silk scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Thai history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance temple tours. Laem Chabang’s access to Bangkok offers a vibrant Thai stop, blending culture with urban energy.

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.

Nha Trang, Vietnam, offers docking at Nha Trang Port. Travelers explore Po Nagar Cham Towers and Vinpearl Amusement Park. Excursions visit Hon Mun Island for snorkeling. Local markets sell pho. The peak season, November to April, brings dry weather for beach tours. Photography captures ancient temples and turquoise bays. Dining onboard includes banh xeo, a Vietnamese pancake. Souvenirs, like silk scarves, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cham history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate, while snorkeling gear enhances reef exploration. Nha Trang’s vibrant coastal beauty offers a dynamic Vietnamese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic beaches, and marine adventures, making Nha Trang an engaging destination for exploring Vietnam’s coastal culture and natural splendor.

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.

Returning to Phu My (ho Chi Minh City) — see Day 5 above for port info.

Celukan Bawang, Bali, Indonesia, docks at Celukan Bawang Port, 30 kilometers from Singaraja, with taxis for 45-minute rides. Travelers visit Brahma Vihara Arama, a Buddhist temple 20 minutes south. Local markets sell kopi luwak. Excursions to Menjangan Island, 1 hour west, offer snorkeling. Peak season May to October; taxis 50,000-100,000 IDR. Dining includes sate lilit at village warungs. Souvenirs feature wood carvings.

Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia, has docking at Lembar Port. Travelers explore Sasak villages and Tanjung Aan Beach. Excursions visit Pura Lingsar’s temple. Local markets sell woven textiles. The peak season, May to October, brings dry weather. Photography captures rice terraces and turquoise bays. Dining onboard includes ayam taliwang, a Lombok dish. Souvenirs, like pearl crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sasak culture. Light clothing and sun protection suit the tropical climate. Comfortable shoes enhance village tours. Lembar’s island allure offers a vibrant Indonesian stop, blending culture with coastal beauty.

Benoa, Bali, Indonesia, docks at Benoa Port, 10 kilometers from Denpasar, with shuttles or taxis for 20-minute rides. Travelers visit Uluwatu Temple, a 11th-century clifftop shrine, 30 minutes south. Local markets sell batik sarongs. Excursions to Ubud, 1 hour north, explore rice terraces and monkey forests. Tanah Lot, 45 minutes northwest, features a sea temple. Peak season June to September; taxis 50,000-100,000 IDR. Dining includes babi guling at warungs. Souvenirs feature silver jewelry.

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

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.

Returning to Singapore — see Day 14 above for port info.