Queen Anne's Asian Passage

15 Mar 2028

Contradiction is part of Hong Kong’s attraction. While the city buzzes with modern commerce, soaring skyscrapers and sophistication, it remains a place of ancient beliefs and intriguing local customs.
Your guide to Hong Kong.

Few cities balance old and new like Hong Kong. A city as fiercely modern as it is traditional, life here pulses with vigour and vitality while still honouring ancient customs and beliefs. Market traders hawk steaming dumplings on neon-lit streets. Sacred temples stand in the shadow of skyscrapers and luxury boutiques populate glossy shopping centres. Contradiction is all part of Hong Kong’s appeal, the city’s dynamic personality a complementary blend of Chinese and British influences. Heralded as one of the world’s foremost culinary, cultural and commercial capitals, a port call here provides myriad ways to satisfy your stomach, your senses and your suitcase.

Exploring.
Hong Kong buzzes with grand galleries, thriving art complexes and auspicious temples. Retreat among the city’s parks, or travel back to the time of tea houses and Cantonese opera. Hong Kong's rich history and contemporary flair shine through in Tai Kwun Centre, a fascinating and forward-thinking arts complex. Kowloon Park, with its two-tiered lotus pond and basking terrapins, provides the perfect refuge from city life, while climbing Victoria Peak reveals spectacular city views. Finally, pay a visit to the incense-infused Man Mo Temple. This sacred tribute to the Gods of War and Literature has welcomed worshippers in Hong Kong since the 19th century.

Eating and drinking.
A true culinary capital, Hong Kong is home to over sixty Michelin-starred restaurants, countless traditional eateries and an abundance of street food vendors. The city’s ever-growing coffee scene also has plenty to offer, including top-of-the-line java and accomplished latte art. Stop in for dim sum at one of many contemporary restaurants or seek out traditional Sichuan dishes that evoke the romance of old Beijing. Whether you’re sipping cocktails from a rooftop bar in Kowloon or browsing the countless smouldering food stalls at Temple Street’s atmospheric Night Market, Hong Kong is an explosion of fragrance, colour and flavour.

Shopping.
Shopping in Hong Kong is a thrilling experience. The city is home to countless speciality markets as well as world-class retail centres. Of the former, the Ladies' Market is one of the most popular in the city, bustling with clothing and footwear stalls. Jade Market (as you might anticipate) specialises in jade jewellery, while Stanley Market is renowned for its Chinese handicrafts. Times Square Mall (inspired by its New York namesake) and Pacific Place are both gargantuan shopping plazas, while Landmark is considered Hong Kong’s Holy Grail of designer shopping, boasting an affluent blend of high-end labels and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Beyond Hong Kong.
Venture beyond Hong Kong to the stunning metropolis of Macau, the small fishing village of Tai O or Tian Tan Buddha. Like its U.S counterpart, Macau is a casino capital with bright lights and glitzy hotels that echo the Las Vegas strip. The city is a world away from Tai O on Lantau Island, where fishermen live a humble existence in stilt houses straddling the water. While on Lantau, be sure to see Tian Tan Buddha (commonly known as Big Buddha). A glass-bottomed cable car will transport you to the summit, and the views on the way up are worth the trip alone.

16 Mar 2028

17 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning

Step back in time in one of the world's most ancient capitals. Savour the 13th-century buildings of the old quarter or see the traditional storytelling art of water puppetry nearby in Hoan Kiem Lake.

18 Mar 2028

19 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning

A stretch of coastline quite unlike any other in the South China Sea. Passing coastal sand dunes, beautiful green hills and paddy fields, you sail to the historic Vietnamese cities of Hue and Da Nang.
Your guide to Hue and Da Nang

A port call to Chan May offers the chance to experience white sand beaches, historic tombs and one of Vietnam’s most famous waterways: the Perfume River. Whether you choose to travel to Hue or Da Nang you’ll be met with a wealth of sights to see, not to mention scenes of indescribable beauty. Both cities are the gateways to some of Vietnam’s most illustrious treasures; from the Ancient Emperor tombs outside of Hue to the spectacular cave labyrinth of Da Nang’s Marble Mountains. Prepare to find your senses piqued, your soul nourished and your heart captivated by otherworldly sights and spellbinding scenery.

Exploring
An excursion to the historic city of Hue or the beaches of Da Nang is an ideal way to enjoy your port call in Chan May. While the latter offers luminous white sands on its Lang Co and My Khe beach resorts (not unlike those of the Caribbean) Hue is steeped in history offering a deep dive into Vietnam’s imperial past. Of course, time spent in Da Nang also opens up the opportunity to visit Marble Mountain – a series of caves named after the five elements – a must-see pilgrimage site. While Hue’s riverfront promenade, Thien Mu Pagoda and tombs of Ancient Emperors are among the cultural delights awaiting travellers in this centuries’ old city.

Eating and drinking
Vietnamese cuisine is fresh, fragrant and one of the healthiest in the world. It can also be spicy and herbaceous, with mint and raw chilli often used to garnish dishes. One thing’s for sure; if you like your food packed full of flavour, you’ll be in your element in Vietnam. Noodle based dishes are extremely popular. You’ll find these in a variety of guises; from aromatic broths (Pho, pronounced ‘fa’) to summer rolls (similar to a spring roll, served chilled and unfried). Another Vietnamese staple (especially around lunchtimes) is Banh Mi. This soft sub roll comes generously stuffed with a slick of pate, some thinly sliced pork and a combination of julienne and pickled vegetables – delightful.

Shopping
In Da Nang city centre you’ll find a blend of lively markets and shopping centres selling everything from fashion and cosmetics to fresh and dried foods. If visiting the Marble Mountains make sure to allow time to stop off in Non Nuoc Fine Arts Village. Set at the mountains’ base, this 300-year old village offers an array of artisanal wares coveted by tourists and locals alike. Street markets abound in Hue and offer the best place to source an original keepsake to remind you of your travels – for a snip of a price no less. Just wandering Hue’s streets it’s impossible not to encounter countless vendors selling art, silk scarves, bamboo bowls and a variety of other native Vietnamese goods.

Beyond Hue and Da Nang
Travelling a little farther than Da Nang brings you to the historic and much-loved town of Hoi An. Always a favourite with travellers, this ancient town is steeped in character and has a wealth of tailoring shops able to turn around custom shirts within hours. Once a trading post (but not any longer) Hoi An also enjoys a wider range of culinary influences than you find elsewhere in Vietnam, and taking a food tour here is a great way to pass the time. The town is also extremely pedestrian-friendly with cars and motorbikes banned in its Old Town. Rent a bicycle and cycle through the verdant countryside to Cua Dai beach, or simply drink in the magic of this enchanting riverside locale. 

20 Mar - 21 Mar 2028

22-23 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning

Laem Chabang was founded in 1782 by King Ramal and has since grown to become the country’s largest port. Here is your enchanting first glimpse of capital, Bangkok, and of the beautiful country beyond.
Expansion for Laem Chabang Port began in 1982 and operation on this new larger scale began in 1991. The city is quickly expanding and is now one of the busiest ports in the world. It is a major cruise port for passengers visiting the capital city of Bangkok and the nearby beach resort of Pattaya.

Laem Chabang is located is an industrial city with a bustling port. Within the city there are coffee shops and bars, plenty of Thai restaurants and a modern mall. The shopping district is the place to pick up Thai souvenirs and cultural gifts.

Laem Chabang International Country Club is a popular club for cruise passengers looking to unwind on the golf course. It is home to one of Thailand’s best golf courses and is a challenging course designed to test your skills as a golfer. The stylish clubhouse provides the perfect place to relax after your round.

Pattaya is a busy beach town located less than 40 minutes south of Laem Chabang. It is home to one of Thailand’s famously beautiful beaches where white sand meets clear blue seas. Plenty of watersports are available and restaurants, bars and cafes line the coast.

For a quieter beach experience, travel towards the south of Thailand where hidden coves are the norm. Long-tail boats line the shore and are ready to whisk you away to the tiny islands.

Bangkok is located just two hours north of Laem Chabang, making it an easy city to access from the port. Bangkok offers an intriguing combination of ancient tradition and 21st century trends. Night bazaars and floating river markets are found next to glistening skyscrapers and enormous shopping malls. Street vendors selling food from baskets walk past sleek and stylish restaurants, where businessmen and women sit next to monks clothed in orange robes. Bangkok is a city of contrasts that charms and excites every visitor who enters.

Bangkok is often referred to as ‘Venice of the East’ thanks to the network of canals flowing through the city. This is the place to experience Thailand’s unique culture during your Laem Chabang cruise. Visit The Grand Palace, a complex of magnificent buildings and the official residence of the king. The palace dates back to 1782 and the golden spires can be seen glistening across the Bangkok skyline.

There is no shortage of delicious and authentic Thai restaurants in Laem Chabang. Small street vendors cater for the workers within the port and they serve up fresh and spicy dishes. Within the city, small restaurants serve Thai classics like noodles and curries. Curries can be spicy, creamy, hearty or rich and they are served with delicious sticky rice. Enormous woks sizzle with noodles and fresh vegetables or deep fried treats like spring rolls or cha-om.

The Pub Asiatico is a favourite with cruise passengers as they serve a mixture of Thai and European food in a friendly and welcoming setting.

24 Mar - 25 Mar 2028

26-27 Mar 2028
Arrives Early morning

Among the one of the world’s busiest ports and prosperous cities, Singapore is full of culture, history and excitement, where you are welcome to enjoy a tropical climate and multicultural population.
At its colonial core is Padang, a cricket field since the 1830s now flanked by the 18 Corinthian columns of City Hall. In Chinatown stands the oddly named but beautiful Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.

The first settlement known as Singapore was formed in the late 13th century on the banks of the Singapore River. This served as the only port at the southern end of the Strait of Malacca, thriving in its infancy before its role as an international trading port declined by the 15th century. Singapore’s main settlement and port were later destroyed in the early 17th century, with no significant settlement or functionality present here until Sir Stamford Raffles landed on the island in 1819.

Raffles established a new settlement and international port for Britain, keen to draw in traders from Asia and Europe. The Chinese began to set up trading houses on the river’s south bank and lower reaches, while the British resided on the upper reaches of the river. Singapore thrived and continued to do so when it ceased to be part of the British Empire in 1963, despite small setbacks in trade up until the 1990s, when the port once again became a key player.

A remarkable combination of history, culture, modernised ideals and tropical climate contribute to Singapore’s diverse and prosperous character. Business is booming, with the towering skyscrapers and big brands residing in the Central Business District proving a powerful nod to this. This is the area most visitors should start exploring during their Port of Singapore cruise given that the river forms the central artery of Singapore.

Beyond the business are several intriguing attractions centred round where Raffles founded his colony. Do not miss Cavenagh Bridge, the city’s oldest bridge, constructed in 1869. Take a look at the grand Fullerton Hotel, once the General Post Office building. Along the front of the river are a number of traditional shop houses in which today restaurants and bars are located. You cannot leave Singapore without tasting its famous chilli crab or sipping on a Singapore sling, and this is the best area to do so.

Marina Bay continues the theme of flamboyance and fortune, crowned by the incredible architecture of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. From here you will enjoy the best view of the Central Business District, further enhanced by a nightly fountain and light show along the river itself. Do not miss the Gardens by the Bay behind the hotel, especially if you fancy some serenity amid the busy city.

Chinatown and Little India bring another example of Singapore’s diversity to the table, home to wonderful authentic eateries and some stunning temples. In Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is the star of the show. While in Little India, a visit to the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple will allow you to discover the district’s oldest and busiest temple.