28-Days Indonesia & Far East Cruise

City-states are rare in the present day and none are quite like Singapore.

In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continues to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses, a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above.

Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups, mainly Malays, Chinese, and Indians and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa salon and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

Indonesia’s second-largest city and Java’s capital, Surabaya is known as the City of Heroes thanks to the important role it played in capturing international attention during the country’s revolution in the 1940s. And that independent spirit is still palpable among the metropolis’s internationally diverse population of nearly three million people.

Surabaya is home to Indonesia’s only synagogue as well as the largest mosque in East Java. And the colonial-era buildings sit just a short stroll from glitzy new shopping centers. Visitors have much to experience, whether taking in the extensive artifacts in the Museum Mpu Tantular, seeing where Indonesia’s clove cigarettes got their beginnings at the House of Sampoerna, or venturing into the city’s green lung with a boat ride through the mangrove forests of Wonorejo. Also at Pasar Ampel, you’ll feel transported to a Middle Eastern bazaar, where the vendors hawk spices, sticky-sweet dates, and imported carpets. Last but not least, the Kenjeran Beach, which is right by the city, offers the chance to spot fishermen showcasing their fresh catch with views of one of Indonesia’s longest bridges.

Deciding where to spend your time will be your main conundrum in Surabaya.

(Info Holland America)

Probolinggo is a pretty port town on the north coast of East Java that’s home to the ethnic minority Tengger people. The city garners mainly tourist attention as a jumping-off point for visiting Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s most spectacular volcanoes.  Bromo is best viewed at sunrise but makes a strong impression at any time of the day. While the top has blown off, the 2,329-meter-high (7,641-foot) peak contains a cone that’s still active. And views of the surrounding volcanoes from here are just as thrilling.

If you opt to stick around Probolinggo, a town of roughly 217,000 people, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There is none of the stifling crowds and pollution of Jakarta here. A pedicab tour is a fun way to get around to see the city’s Chinese temple, pleasant city square, churches, and museums. But the main sites are just as easily visited on foot. Shopping for a batik from the region will be fun. There are many Batik souvenirs to take home with you.

And there’s more. There are beautiful beaches, temples, waterfalls, and bamboo forests to see in and around Probolinggo. And just seven kilometers (four miles) from town at Bentar Indah Beach, you can go for a swim or stroll along the white sand before returning to the ship.

(Info Holland America)

Located on Bali’s north shore, Celukan Bawang is the gateway to beautiful white-sand and black-sand beaches.

The Celukan Bawang port allows cruise ship passengers to explore a unique part and less crowded part of the island, as well as charming natural, historical, and cultural Balinese places. Experience the truly diverse northwest of Bali with its natural scenery and stunning beaches. The island’s coral reefs are ideal for snorkeling, The Munduk Waterfall is located in the deep forest of Batukaru mountains and surrounded by many kinds of tropical plantations and old trees.

You can hire a driver to drive you around the island to stop at different landmarks and you can walk from the main street and see the 70 meters waterfall. Also, the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Hindu-Buddhist temple complex is built on small isles.  It’s the second most visited place in Bali. Or sign up for Kopi Luwak coffee tasting.  The site of the tasting event is a plantation where you can see the kopi luwak or civet coffee.

There are many shore excursion activities.  Deaf World Adventures will prepare a trip with activities for our group.

(Info from Holland America and Wikitravel)

Indonesia is made up of more than 13,000 islands, but even with all that competition, Bali manages to stand out. Beautiful temples and shrines of all sizes are spread across the island, tucked down narrow alleyways, hidden within the jungle or serenely presiding over scenic locations, like the dramatic Pura Tanah Lot atop a rock formation just off Bali’s western coast.

Bali is well known for its arts—traditional music and dance, painting, wood and stone carvings, silver jewelry, and ikat and batik textiles. The island’s artistic center is the village of Ubud, and its art markets and boutiques carry beautiful Balinese pieces to take home.

When it comes to dining, whether you’re craving a burrito or satay, you can find a restaurant that serves it. Don’t leave the island, however, without sampling Balinese cuisine. Local cooking, which reflects Chinese and Indian influences, uses blends of aromatic spices to season grilled meats, though not beef. Bali is an island of Hindu culture in mostly Muslim Indonesia, with fresh seafood, rice, and vegetables with delicious results.

(Info Holland America)

Indonesia is easily one of the most exotic destinations on Earth. But coming into port in Komodo located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, in the eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago feels like arriving on an entirely different planet. The major draw here is, of course, Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biosphere reserve since 1992.

The region is home to roughly 5,700 Komodo dragons, which are, in fact, lizards and the largest lizards in the world at that, growing to lengths of three meters (almost 10 feet).

The dragons are best seen during tours that head to the islands of Komodo and Rinca, which along with the island of Padar make up the park. In addition to marveling at the feeding habits of the dragons. They can often be seen preying on Komodo’s native Timor deer and water buffalo. Visitors are impressed by the diversity of Komodo’s landscapes.

On the one hand, there are pristine white-sand beaches and even pink-hued ones, lapped by clear blue water.  The offshore coral reefs are home to over 1,000 species of tropical fish as well as whales, dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, and sea turtles. But there are also rugged and sheer cliffs here and hot and dry regions with savanna-like grasses. Prepare to feast your eyes on one of the world’s truly special untamed places.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa salon and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

Located in the north sector of the sprawling metropolis of Jakarta, Tanjung Priok is considered Indonesia’s most technologically advanced seaport and it’s also the country’s busiest.

Escape the industrial feel of the port as soon as you can, and brace yourself to dive into Indonesia’s capital city. Jakarta positively buzzes with people, cars, motos, and the sheer kinetic energy of a megalopolis home to nearly 10 million people. Once you get past the pollution and dripping humidity, there’s much to see. It’s best to break the city down into bits for any chance at digesting it.

Jakarta’s old town the former Batavia, now called Kota Tus is a heritage area with decaying but beautiful colonial buildings and atmospheric restaurants. Visit Sunda Kelapa Harbor to watch fishermen hauling in their fresh catches and admire the pretty, high-prowed Bugis boats docked there, called phinisis. Or join hordes of Indonesians as they make the pilgrimage to their independence monument, Monas.

As with any enormous city, just strolling around offers a feast for the senses. Do come on an empty stomach as you’ll want to dig into all of Jakarta’s street food options from across the archipelago, too.

(Info Holland America)

On this day you go cruising passing a strait with natural beauty.

You witness the beauty and power of volcanoes on this scenic cruise with the Krakatau volcano. Krakatau (or Krakatoa). It lies in the Sunda Strait, midway between Java and Sumatra.

In 1883, Krakatau had a series of massive explosions that caused deadly tsunamis, hot ash to shoot 50 miles into the air, crimson skies for months and the loudest sound ever recorded—so loud the rumble was heard near Mauritius, which is 3,000 miles away.

The blood-red sunsets may have inspired well-known paintings, including Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Krakatau had long-lasting global impacts that went on for years. Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) rose from the caldera in 1927. Like a parent, like a child, Anak is a mighty force with lots of eruptive activity.

You sit back, relax, and admire its graceful, tree-cloaked slopes and plumes of ash from the decks of HAL’s perfectly sized ship.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa salon and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

City-states are rare in the present day and none are quite like Singapore.

In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continued to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses, a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above.

Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups, mainly Malays, Chinese, and Indians and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa salon and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

Koh Samui can feel like a screensaver landscape. As if designed by Mother Nature for posters, calendars, and daydreams, it’s Thailand’s most famous island for several reasons.

The beach-fringed coast is edged with vivid, blue water that’s a surf-and-sand playground for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, building sandcastles, and simply lounging. Along the beach, there are busy food stalls and restaurants where you can find a whole world of cuisine made with local produce and fresh seafood as well as authentic Thai dishes.

Not to mention, the streets are lively, lined with bars, boutiques, markets, and spas.

By contrast, the island’s interior can provide moments of reflection and replenishing solitude. Enter the dense, hilly jungles for hikes to ancient temples pristine waterfalls, and quaint villages where you can experience true Thai hospitality.

With dreamy landscapes and island adventures from boat excursions to nature treks, you’ll soon be enchanted by Koh Samui.

(Info Holland America)

You’re in the capital, Bangkok.  It’s a huge city and reflects the country’s unique status. Bangkok has embraced modernity on its terms as the seat of a beloved monarchy that dates back to the 13th century.

In this city, Buddhist temples and gilded palaces coexist with the bustle of one of Asia’s major metropolises. The contrast between the golden glow of sunrise along the Chao Phraya River, which runs through the municipality, and the neon lights of downtown can feel intoxicating.

There are few places in the world where you can spend the morning visiting a centuries-old stupa, have lunch at one of the world’s top Michelin-starred restaurants, and then shop for exquisite silk garments.

And wherever you explore, you’ll be struck by the warm welcome you receive. “The Land of Smiles” may be a cliché and a tourism marketing slogan, but it’s also a fitting nickname for Thailand.

Many of the country’s most important historic areas can be found not far from Bangkok. Ayutthaya, the former Thai capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with impressive Buddhist ruins. The 16th-century town of Chachoengsao is known for its many temples, including Wat Saman Rattanaram with its 22-meter-long (72-foot-long) statue of the Hindu god Ganesha.

Whether you travel by boat, bus, or tuk-tuk (a three-wheeled motorized taxi) to explore Bangkok’s temples, palaces, and markets, be prepared to fall in love with this city that somehow manages to be both chaotic and captivating at the same time.

Cambodia is certainly most famous for the temples of Angkor, but travelers seeking to wander farther are flocking to the small yet bustling coastal town of Sihanoukville. Renamed in 1964 for King Norodom Sihanouk, this provincial port is home to some of the nation’s most stunning coastline and a downtown that’s a blend of local businesses and a lively ex-pat scene centered on Serendipity Road.

You’ll find not one beach but several, each with its personality: good for whether you want a relaxed day reading a novel or one full of activity, food, and people-watching.

Often described as the Thailand of 20 years ago, this region is less touristy but still able to meet your expectations for a perfect beach getaway.

In Sihanoukville, you can take a guided snorkeling trip, kayak through mangrove forests, hike through a national park, or horseback ride on the beach. Visitors in the mood for less action can spend time exploring the local temples or shopping near the beach. Angkor’s certainly amazing, but Sihanoukville might just be Cambodia’s most perfect, still-secret stop.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa and salon, and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

The real draw of the port of Phu My is 80 kilometers (50 miles) away, in bustling, frenetic Ho Chi Minh City. Motorbikes hurtle down the wide streets, and crossing the road is like a real-life game of Frogger. Its hectic pace is somewhat tempered by tranquil parks, peaceful pagodas, and timeless alleyways.

The city was formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City. The city has a fascinating mix of high and low, old and new. On its streets, French colonial architecture vies for attention with glistening modern skyscrapers; sleek designer malls sit alongside bustling local markets, and glamorous fine-dining restaurants are just around the corner from street-food stalls.

The best way to explore the city is on foot. Most major tourist venues are in compact District 1, which is easy to get around. Or you may hop on the back of an “xe om” (motorbike taxi) to see the city like a local. Whatever you choose to do, you’ll be swept along in the pulsating energy of it all.

Notes: Travel time to Ho Chi Minh City is approximately 90 minutes each way.

(Info Holland America)

In Nha Trang, on the southern Vietnamese coast, you’ll find a magical combination of historic sites along with a stunning beach. You can while away a day here soaking up the sun, sand, and sea, alternating snorkeling or scuba diving sessions with naps in the shade, lulled to sleep by the sound of the surf. While warm, clear waters and a white-sand beach dotted with restaurants and bars would be enough for most visitors, the city has worthy historic sites that make it more than just a beach town.

Exploring Nha Trang beyond its beach brings you a better understanding of not only the city’s history but also that of Vietnam as a whole, from long before the nation was formed through its colonial period. Work your way forward from Buddhist temples like the 7th- to 12th-century Po Nagar Cham Towers and the late-19th-century Long Son Pagoda, to the city’s early-20th-century French Gothic–style cathedral. By day’s end, you’ll likely find yourself drawn back to the water.

Don’t forget to take a walk along the Hon Chong promontory, enjoying the view of the islands in Nha Trang Bay as you watch the sun melt into the sea.

(Info Holland America)

Located halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the port city of Da Nang has a small-town charm despite its lack of big-ticket attractions. It is home to a stunning 30-kilometer (18-mile) coastline that is popular for water sports such as waterskiing, paddleboarding, and surfing. It’s also known for its great street food—and an extremely quirky bridge that you can’t miss.

The place was previously occupied by both the French and the Americans (this was the first place U.S. Marines landed in March 1965), and vestiges of both can be seen in the city, from the remnants of the vast U.S. air base and hospital to the city’s wide boulevards and old villas.

Da Nang is a great launchpad for day trips, whether to the picturesque city of Hoi An to the south, the old imperial capital of Hue to the north, or the majestic Marble Mountains to the southwest.

The UNESCO-protected Champa temple complex, My Son, which lies 69 kilometers (43 miles) southeast, is worth the trip—but for those who don’t want to leave the urban environs, many of the ruins have ended up at Da Nang’s excellent Museum of Cham Sculpture, where you can learn all about the history and architecture of this fascinating culture.

(Info Holland America)

Each day on board offers delicious dining options, world-class entertainment, and enriching activities.

The superbly refreshed, Noordam cruise ship features an excellent bar, entertainment, and dining venues. There’s a fitness center, swimming pool, greenhouse spa and salon, and casino

On board, you may watch live entertainment with Music Walk including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. Feel immersed on your cruise with regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings. Enrich your travel experience at the new Exploration Central room atop the ship.

Deaf World Adventures (DWA)  will create DWA space for Deaf group activities and games for the days at sea.  If you have a favorite activity or game, let us know.

(Info Holland America)

City-states are rare in the present day and none are quite like Singapore.

In the 20th century, the Southeast Asian nation hurtled itself into the modern world, and it continued to expand its state-of-the-art transportation system and build its edgy skyline. Yet Singapore’s urban plan wisely maintained its intimate neighborhoods, many with streets lined with colorful shophouses, a type of building unique to parts of Asia, with businesses located on their ground floors and residences above.

Add the city’s mix of ethnic groups, mainly Malays, Chinese, and Indians and you get a vibrant cultural scene that attracts a cosmopolitan, international community.

Singapore’s food scene which is arguably the world’s most dynamic and runs the gamut from beloved street hawkers to Michelin-starred venues would merit a trip alone, as would its never-ending shopping options. But the city is also packed with world-class museums, many designed by celebrated architects, and it hosts many major international events, such as the Formula One Grand Prix. Yet only about half of the 720-square-kilometer (278-square-mile) island is developed, which leaves plenty of room for parks and open spaces such as the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, where an old-growth forest still thrives.

(Info Holland America)