The Wonders of Asia
Seabourn’s Pride makes a special voyage to many of Southeast Asia’s finest cities—as well as idyllic islands.
Asia, with its exotic sights, historic ruins, and unique cuisine, has a singular allure for the luxury traveler. There is a mystery to countries like Vietnam and Thailand, where the Buddhist tradition is still firmly entrenched in the culture and centuries-old shrines dot the dramatic landscape, while the modern pace of cities like Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore offer all the attractions of any world-class metropolis.
Seabourn has tapped into the heart of Southeast Asia by visiting its finest sights, ranging from Hong Kong to the idyllic beaches of Koh Kood in Thailand to the haunting islands of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Seabourn Pride, which will make the 15-day journey from Hong Kong to Singapore in November, is the perfect way to explore this fascinating region.
“It’s very complicated and time-consuming to tour Vietnam by land,” notes Pamela C. Conover, Seabourn president and CEO. “It can take a whole day just to go between two cities. On Seabourn Pride, you tour the city, then dine and enjoy your evening while the ship does the traveling.”
Seabourn Pride, like her sister-ships Spirit and Legend, carries a maximum of 208 guests. “The size and amenities of our yachts make it likely for our guests to meet new and interesting people,” says Conover. “But the group is small enough so that you can get to know people during the two weeks. Many guests form lifelong friendships. Our guests tell us that the social aspect is the second most compelling reason they return to sail with us.”
The first is Seabourn’s renowned hospitality. Seabourn staff is masterful at making each guest’s experience as pleasant and individualized as possible. “We specialize in providing a personalized experience,” says Conover. “For instance, by the second day, your waiter knows your name and whether you take cream in your coffee. He knows about dining preferences and any food allergies. Tips and all beverages are included in the fare, so the staff is working only to ensure you have a memorable trip.”
Certainly departing from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor, with its stunning sky scape, is a memorable beginning to the journey. Pride then sails across the Qiongzhou Strait for a day, docking at the port of Cai Lan in Vietnam, from which guests can visit the inland capital of Hanoi. Pride’s compact size allows it to dock in the center of cities where larger cruise ships cannot venture.
Hanoi, which means “within a river bend,” is a city of tree-lined boulevards, lakes, parks, weathered colonial buildings, and elegant squares. Sojourn guests receive white-glove treatment in Vietnam’s capital, from private tours of the elegant Temple of Literature and Dong Trieu Ceramic Village. Those choosing to stay on the coast can cruise on a local junk through Ha Long Bay, with its limestone karst formations. More intrepid guests can join a kayak adventure, paddling by fishing villages and religious grottoes in the bay, with monkeys hiding in the trees of the limestone hills.
The city also has a local vibrant arts scene, from traditional Cai Luong theater to elaborate water puppetry. The culinary offerings are also extensive, including expatriate-owned restaurants like Bobby Chinn and Alfresco, or gourmet Vietnamese eateries like Club Opera and Highway 4.
Da Nang, in central Vietnam, where Pride stops on day four, also has its own regional cuisine, focusing on spicy dishes with a specialty in seafood. Of course, one never need leave the restaurants and cafes of Pride to gain the best culinary dishes in Southeast Asia. The yacht’s chefs mix both traditional dishes with the creative menus of celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, whose award-winning restaurants in New York and Las Vegas have established many trends in haute cuisine.
Of course, not every guest wants an elaborate meal every night of the journey. “We also have a selection of classic simple food, for variety,” says Bjoern Wassmuth, executive chef. “A great steak, roasted chicken, or a Caesar salad—sometimes they’re just what a guest wants.”
But the chefs also source local foods whenever possible. In Ho Chi Minh City, Pride’s chef will make a special tour to the Ben Thanh Market so guests can learn about produce or how the freshest ingredients are selected for the evening’s dishes. The city formerly called Saigon is a vibrant, tangled metropolis comprising temples, pagodas, and excellent restaurants. Called the Pearl of the Orient, it is surrounded by green rice paddies, orchards, and sugar-cane fields.
Seabourn guests can visit locations like the History Museum, with its excellent collections of Cham art, ceramics, and traditional dress, or the 18th-century Thien Hau Temple, where the aroma of incense hangs in the air. Or guests can board a private longboat to cruise the canals and floating markets of the Mekong Delta to Binh Hoa Phuoc village to visit a local farmer’s house, enjoying local tea and fruits.
Cruising the South China Sea en route to Thailand, guests will also savor the life on-board. Whether it’s spending time in The Spa at Seabourn, relaxing around the pool with friends and a bottle of fine wine, or enjoying dinner in one of the yacht’s restaurants, guests enjoy the choicest elements of the life. Lectures, bridge games—even a Liar’s Club contest—add to the sense of camaraderie on-board.
Ocean-view suites range from nearly 300 to 600 square feet, each a portrait of comfortable elegance. “Each has a separate seating area, walk-in closet and personal refrigerator and bar,” says Conover. “There are details like a vanity, superior sound system, personalized stationery—and even terry robes and slippers. We designed each suite to be a comfortable, welcoming vacation home at sea.”
The yacht is also designed for easy access to the water, with a unique fold-out marina and a full battery of water toys. Guests can enjoy these most while anchored near beaches like Koh Kood, one of a group of stunning Thai islands situated off the coast of Cambodia. A private beach, reserved for Seabourn guests, and Seabourn’s signature “Caviar in the Surf” barbecue provide a marvelous introduction to the beauty of Thailand.
No city in Asia compares to the Thai capital of Bangkok for the sheer energy and sensual delights offers. And here, Seabourn Pride sails up the Chao Phraya River right into the city’s heart. A vast network of canals, or khlongs, dissects Bangkok, and guests can also explore the city via motor coach or tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled motorized taxi. The city, with its lively nightlife, shops, and restaurants, as well as ancient wats (Buddhist temples), palaces, and parks, has something for everyone, no matter what is his or her interest.
Exclusive trips to the private Prasart Museum, with its hand-hewn teak houses and impressive art and antique collections, as well as a gourmet dinner at Bangkok’s five-star Seafood Market and Restaurant are just a few of the highlights of two days spent seeing the city’s finest attractions. At night, guests can shop in the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, with its plethora of clothing, silk fabrics, and home decor items. On the final day, Pride guests will visit three of Bangkok’s most revered wats, including Wat Traimit, home to the world’s largest solid-gold seated Buddha, weighing 5.5 tons. A visit to Wat Pho, the largest wat in the city, reveals the majestic reclining Buddha. The elegant Wat Benchamabophit, or Marble Temple, is a century-old structure covered in white Carrera marble. Its courtyard has 52 Buddha images, each in a different style and pose.
The final few days are, naturally, spent relaxing aboard Pride as it sails the South China Sea to Singapore. “We chose this itinerary with its mix of marquee destinations and remote places—what we call Seabourn Secrets—because we truly want this to be the voyage of a lifetime,” says Conover. “You can measure our success by the many lovely thank you letters we receive, praising the little touches that really made the trip memorable. But even more telling is the fact that more than half of our guests are repeat clients. A third of them book the next Seabourn cruise before they even leave the yacht.”
For more information, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com .