Viking Oceans Cruises – Bangkok, Bali & Beyond (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia) 13 Days

Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Often called the “City of Angels,” Bangkok is Thailand’s largest and most populous city. A sprawling and heady mix of modern skyscrapers, floating markets and longtail boats skimming the Chao Phraya River, the scintillating capital of old Siam engages all the senses. Yet it all seems devoutly grounded by the presence of its revered gilded wats, or temples. Wat Arun, in particular, can be seen from all corners of the city. This majestic riverside “Temple of Dawn” catches the first light of each day like a pearl, casting a soft glow on one of Asia’s most remarkable cities.

Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand
Historic Siam of old, Bangkok is beautifully set on the Chao Phraya River. Thai culture is rich and engaging in this bustling center, and its origins are reflected through centuries-old Buddhist wats, or temples. The towering Wat Arun, named for the god of the rising sun, stands dramatically on the river’s banks. The revered temples and elegant buildings within the walls of the renowned Grand Palace date to the late 1700s. A gilded array of golden pagodas and stupas (shrines), it has been the royal family’s residence for more than 150 years.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Bangkok
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
See the highlights of Bangkok during a panoramic tour designed to help you make the most of your time. Straddling the winding Chao Phraya River, this fascinating metropolis blends Thailand’s cherished traditions with the advances of the modern world. View the vibrant streets of Chinatown, one of the city’s oldest areas. Drive along the famous Ratchadamnoen Road, the Royal Way, a tree-lined boulevard commissioned by King Chulalongkorn after he visited the grand cities of Europe in 1897. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant, where you will sample the cuisine of Thailand. Then, visit the ornate Wat Ratchanatdaram, a royal temple best known for the Loha Prasart or Iron Castle. The main structure, built in 1846, features a golden Buddha and beautiful mural paintings. Enjoy a guided tour as you learn about its history and stroll the manicured gardens before returning to your ship.

Scenic Sailing: Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand, the massive sea basin bordered by Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, is still known as the Gulf of Siam to the Malay and Khmer people. Long stretches of sandy beach, low-lying emerald hills and soaring mountains surround this oval-shaped gulf. The lush hills of Botum Sakor National Park unfold north of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. Along Thailand’s shores, several beach-ringed islands point the way to Laem Chabang port.

Scenic Sailing: Strait of Malacca
This narrow passage between Malaysia and the Indonesian island of Sumatra was a major route for early traders shipping glassware, precious stones, camphor, ivory and sandalwood. Today, it is one of the busiest shipping channels in the world, linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Along this historic waterway, the lush shores of Sumatra grace the horizon to the south, stretching out to lowlands, mangroves and swamps. The more urban skylines of Malaysia—George Town and Kuala Lumpur among them—shimmer in the distance to the north.

Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia
The capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was built by Chinese tin prospectors in the mid-1800s. Since then, the city of KL, as the locals call it, has grown into a stunning mix of colonial, Moorish, Tudor, neo-Gothic and Grecian-Spanish architecture. The two-story shophouses of Old Market Square, with storefronts below and residences above, reveal the lives of merchants. The magnificent Petronas Towers are the centerpiece of this fascinating city; the side-by-side twin spires resemble a pair of rockets, connected by a two-story sky bridge that spans the 41st and 42nd floors.

Shore Excursions – A Glimpse of Kuala Lumpur
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
Discover Malaysia’s city of delightful contrasts, one of the most vibrant metropolises in Asia. Call first at the Tun Abdul Razak Memorial, official residence of the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, better known as the Father of Development. Continue to the National Monument, built in tribute to the valiant soldiers who gave their lives during the Communist Insurgency of the 1950s. Make photo stops at the historic 1910 Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the National Mosque of Malaysia, and witness the influence of Britain at Merdeka Square (Independence Square). Finally, drive through the Golden Triangle, the city’s entertainment district, before stopping to gaze up at the soaring Petronas Towers, resembling a pair of steel-clad rocket ships linked by a towering catwalk. This architectural wonder is the pride of Malaysia.

Singapore, Singapore
Singapore is the world’s only island city-state. Established in 1819 for the East India Company by Sir Stamford Raffles, after whom the famed hotel is named, it grew from a secluded backwater into a shabby port city before transforming itself into a sophisticated metropolis. The technology and economy are highly advanced here, yet the islands host plentiful green parks with tree-lined footpaths and the stunning National Orchid Garden. For a panoramic view of it all, the observation deck of the Marina Bay Sands towers offers the perfect solution.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Singapore
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Witness the remarkable diversity of Singapore, where traditions endure in one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Along the banks of the Singapore River, admire old British-flavored residences. You will pass through Little India, where Indians developed their own unique community of trading houses and homes during British rule. Today, its bright colors and sounds echo those of the subcontinent. On Arab Street, see a rich Muslim influence, where shops sell textiles and Persian carpets. Today, the Arab Quarter is home to Malays, Sumatrans, Indonesians and Yemeni. Its gold-domed centerpiece is the elegant Sultan Mosque. You will also view the diverse streets of Chinatown, brimming with markets and restaurants representing different regions of China. Mosques and Hindu and Buddhist temples bring even more variety to this vibrant pocket of Singapore. After free time here, return to your ship.

Singapore, Singapore
Singapore transformed from a sparse island to the economic giant of Southeast Asia. Malays, Indonesians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Chinese have all contributed to the city’s rise as one of the world’s most technologically advanced cities. Buddhist, Hindu and Taoist temples rub elbows with Muslim mosques and Christian churches, alongside street signs in English, Chinese, Tamil and Malay. Singaporean cuisine, too, has been shaped by the many cultures that have converged here; there is no better place to sample local fares than at one of the city’s many open air food courts.

Shore Excursions – Panoramic Singapore
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Witness the remarkable diversity of Singapore, where traditions endure in one of Asia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Along the banks of the Singapore River, admire old British-flavored residences. You will pass through Little India, where Indians developed their own unique community of trading houses and homes during British rule. Today, its bright colors and sounds echo those of the subcontinent. On Arab Street, see a rich Muslim influence, where shops sell textiles and Persian carpets. Today, the Arab Quarter is home to Malays, Sumatrans, Indonesians and Yemeni. Its gold-domed centerpiece is the elegant Sultan Mosque. You will also view the diverse streets of Chinatown, brimming with markets and restaurants representing different regions of China. Mosques and Hindu and Buddhist temples bring even more variety to this vibrant pocket of Singapore. After free time here, return to your ship.

Java (Semarang), Indonesia
Java is Indonesia’s repository of history and island culture. The bustling port of Semarang was founded by the Dutch and hints of the island’s colonial past dot the cityscape. Outside the city, Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world, strikes a dramatic pose against a backdrop of four volcanoes. A popular place of pilgrimage and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the massive pyramidal temple towers to a great height. The devout walk up a clockwise path to the pinnacle, passing 2,672 reliefs and 504 Buddha statues along the way.

Shore Excursions – Dutch Heritage of Semarang
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
See Semarang’s Javanese and Dutch heritage as you explore its highlights and historic old town. Embark on a scenic drive to Kota Lama, the old town of Semarang. Here, alight your motor coach and stroll past historic Dutch heritage buildings to the Blenduk Church, dating back to 1753 and the oldest church in central Java. Continue to Ranggawarsita Museum, home to an ethnographic collection of almost 60,000 items reflecting the culture and traditions of West Java. The museum’s exhibits consist of antiquities, paintings and other artifacts, which are displayed in four different themed houses. Then drive to Sam Poo Kong, now a multi-faith temple, built in honor of the famous Chinese Admiral Zheng He. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a colorful Chinese lion dance and local refreshments. View the intricate stone carvings and sculptures before returning to your ship.

Java (Surabaya), Indonesia
Surabaya played a central role in the Indonesian War of Independence. The memorials to that struggle stand as soaring testaments to the will and courage of the Javanese. Today, Surabaya is a diverse patchwork of vibrant cultures. Mosques stand proudly in the Arab district and elegant churches adorn the European quarter. But perhaps the most authentic way to fully experience Java’s varied cultural influences is by tasting them. A stroll through the Pasar Pabean traditional market reveals fresh fish, vegetables, spices, incense and countless other specialties.

Shore Excursions – Mpu Tantular Museum & Peneleh Village
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Visit a Javanese cultural institution and explore one of Surabaya’s oldest neighborhoods on foot. Drive to Mpu Tantular Museum, established in 1933 by German collector Godfried Hariowald von Faber. Home to a collection of more than 15,000 artifacts, the museum’s exhibits span Indonesia’s long history, from the Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic periods through the colonial era to modern times. Gain insight into Indonesia’s past as you explore the museum, viewing cultural performances and artistic displays. Then, transfer to Peneleh Village, a Surabayan community first established during the 13th century. Walk its quiet lines and glimpse the fascinating blend of Dutch colonial and traditional Javanese architecture that characterizes the village. Engage with the locals and soak up the atmosphere in this historic enclave. Enjoy a light refreshment, before returning to your ship.

Bali (Benoa), Indonesia
With a thriving arts scene, lush beauty and magnificent seaside vistas, Bali has long beckoned travelers in search of ultimate beauty. The island’s rich Hindu culture has forever held that gods live in all things natural—from mountains to streams to pebbles on the beach—lending the island a peaceful air. Denpasar is the island’s thriving capital. Founded as a market town, it still bustles with colorful stalls and vast emporiums selling bright sarongs and intricately patterned batik.

Shore Excursions – Balinese Dance & Hindu Temple
Duration: 4 hours
Explore the rich history and culture of Bali during a dance performance and temple visit. Meet your guide and drive to Denpasar, capital of the province of Bali. Your excursion begins with an exclusive performance of the Barong and Kris Dance, a vivid depiction of the eternal battle between good and evil, told through dazzling costumes, dynamic movements and traditional gamelan music. Next, you will continue to the Bali Museum and browse galleries featuring local art and history. Further your cultural exploration at the 14th-century Pura Maospahit, one of Denpasar’s oldest temples. Here, you will view its red-brick architecture and intricate carvings, a rare example of the Majapahit style that once flourished across Bali. After, return to your motor coach and journey to your awaiting ship.

Bali (Benoa), Indonesia
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.