Land of the RISING SALES Cruises in Asia have the dual attraction of being
‘exotic’ and providing winter sunshine, and they also allow those on board to experience several countries on one holiday, says Jane Archer
n Asian cruise that takes you to several far-fl ung and diverse destinations, and all without the hassle of packing and unpacking or hanging around at numerous airports, is proving increasingly popular for experience-seeking Brits – and the cruise lines are responding to the rising demand. Crystal Cruises, for instance, doubled its Asia programme this year, putting two ships in the region and offering a choice of 34 voyages, while Royal Caribbean International will increase capacity by 66% next year when new ship Quantum of the Seas repositions to Shanghai in May 2015 in anticipation of an expected surge in the number of Chinese taking a cruise as well as demand from international markets. Royal Caribbean’s Mariner and Voyages
A
of the Seas already sail in Asia. Japan has become the land of the rising sales for Princess Cruises’ whose new itineraries
featuring the country are selling fast. The company say bookings for the Japan
cruises, introduced with nine departures on one ship in 2013 and expanded to two vessels and 42 voyages in 2014, are showing near quadruple digit growth year-on-year, although admittedly from a small starting base. Princess Managing Director UK and Europe Paul Ludlow said: “We’re fi nding that passengers are seeking more diverse travel experiences – there is a real appetite to explore increasingly far-fl ung locations.” Princess’ experience is indicative of trend
in Asia for all cruise lines, as past passengers seek holidays away from well-trodden routes around the Mediterranean, Baltic and Caribbean. Voyages to Antiquity Managing Director
David Yellow said: “In just one holiday you can mix so many diverse experiences and lifestyles. For instance, there is a big cultural
difference between Bangkok and Singapore, and we have departures that combine Indonesia with Vietnam and Cambodia.” Cruises between Hong Kong and Singapore, ticking off three or four ports in Vietnam, are favourite itineraries, as are voyages from Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand or Indonesia, and from Hong Kong to ports in China and Taiwan. Cruises to Yangon in Myanmar (Burma)
have also become popular since the end of military rule in 2011. Most cruise lines stay at least two days in the city so passengers can visit the golden Shwedagon Pagoda and take an excursion to Mandalay or Bagan, home to more than 2,200 pagodas. Azamara Club Cruises and Oceania Cruises will each be docked in Yangon for three days in January and April 2015 respectively, while Seabourn has 14-night voyages round-
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108