Our tour commences with a visit to Arab Street, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Malays and relives life in a kampong (small settlement) in the 50s and 60s.

Jurong Bird Park is a 20-hectare, open concept park, which is the largest Bird Park in the Aisa Pacific region. We will be fascinated by its collection of more than 8,000 birds from over 600 species. It is thought to be amongst the largest collection of its kind in the world.

For reference, the distance into the city from our berth is approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles). There is a walk of approximately 10 minutes from our ship in order to reach our tour transport. This is only applicable if the Black Watch is berthed at the Singapore Cruise Terminal.

The official currency of Singapore is the Singapore Dollar, although US Dollars may be accepted.

This tour showcases the contrast between the old and new, and the blend of East and West.

Whilst the name Vietnam conjures up memories of the war, the reality is a far cry from those dark days. It is a country of natural beauty, peaceful village life and bustling towns and cities. The highlands and rainforests team with exotic wildlife, the beaches are famed for being some of the best in Southeast Asia, and the cuisine is universally acknowledged for its range of tastes and dishes.

For reference, the official currency for Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, however US Dollars are often accepted.

Upon our arrival, we shall proceed to the Cham Museum, which was founded by the French Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient in 1915, for a guided tour of the unique collection of Cham artifacts.

As we walk through this delightful river town we will learn more about it now being recognised as a World Heritage Site and how it has managed to remain unchanged for centuries.
 

Upon our arrival into Hue, we will proceed to the wonderfully charming Tomb of King Tu Duc who was once considered the most romantic Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Adjoining trees thought to be equally lucky also bear their share of colourful wishing papers. According to tradition, at Chinese New Year, people pray for yearlong peace by scribbling their dreams on slips of red paper tied to an orange with a string. They then toss them into the air, if the lucky paper charm catches on the tree, it is said that the wish will be granted. We will have a short stop here to visit the temple and perhaps even make our own wishes at the wishing tree!
 

Few cityscapes are as spellbinding as the view of Hong Kong from the peak of the green-swathed mountain that looms above Central’s tightly packed ranks of skyscrapers. Cool, clear and removed from the city’s bustle, the area has long been one of the city’s most exclusive retreats.

Departing from the port of Hong Kong, our overland tour will endeavour to help us discover as much of Hong Kong and Guilin as we possibly can before rejoining our ship in Manila. Our tour will involve coach journeys, flight transfers, and a river cruise.

All passengers will be required to obtain a valid Chinese visa for this tour.

For reference, the currency used in China, Guilin, is the Chinese Renminbi.

THIS TOUR IS NOT BOOKABLE ON OUR WEBSITE - PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN YOUR SHORE TOUR BOOKING FORM

Twice the size of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island is the largest of the 260 outlying islands within the territory. With its pristine ambience and striking landscape, unique quaint fishing village, and long white sand beach blended congruously with some modern development nested in the foot of the hills, Lantau Island offers a pleasant respite from the city's diurnal noises.

Please note that the coaches used will not have toilet facilities onboard and may not have seatbelts (as Chinese law does not require these). Standards of public toilets in China are not as high as in most western countries. Many toilets are the ‘squat’ types, toilet tissue is often not provided and some toilets may not have doors. Occasionally some sites may charge for you to use the toilet facilities.

There is approximately a six – eight minute walk to reach the tour coaches.

For reference, the currency used in Hong Kong, is the Hong Kong Dollar.

Lively and colorful with a history dating to the Qin Dynasty of 221 to 206 BC, the Chinese territory of Macau is the focus of our full-day excursion, which will acquaint us with Macau’s fascinating past and primary sights.
 

This flight aboard a helicopter is an excellent way to experience the city. An elegant high tea at the renowned Peninsula Hotel makes today’s outing even more memorable.
 

We will depart the pier and walk approximately 15 minutes to the Peking Garden Restaurant where we will enjoy a traditional eight course Bejing duck evening dinner.

Today, Corregidor is a historical site and a tourist destination. The island is divided into sections; the "head" is called the "Topside". This is the main part of Corregidor where the headquarters, barracks, war memorial, lighthouse, Eternal Flame, parade grounds, golf course and all the major emplacements are located here.

We begin our tour with a drive along Roxas Boulevard, formally known as Dewey Boulevard, a ten-kilometre (six miles) long promenade that has been reclaimed from Manila Bay. It is here where many gather for a ringside view of Manila’s blazing sunsets.

The Philippines is an archipelago nation made up of 7,107 islands spanning 1,840 kilometers north to south. It is part of the East Indies, a vast island group lying south and east of mainland Asia, with Taiwan at its northernmost coast and Borneo on the south.

The official currency of Manila is the Peso, however US Dollars are also excepted in tourist areas.
 

Before entering the Freeway of the South Luzon Express Toll, we proceed first to Las Pinas and make a stop at the world famous Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas Church, which dates back to 1824.

Kinabalu National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, the first in Malaysia. Whilst it’s tourist trails are well-worn, the majority of the park is an unspoilt paradise for rare flora.

Making a drive by the Tun Mustapha Tower & the City Mosque we will continue onto the Heritage Village where we shall make a stop to take a look around this museum for a closer view of Sabah’s ethnic diversity highlighted by the unique local architectural styles of homes in North Borneo and the colourful costume displays.

A fun day out to explore the different aspects of Borneo!

Kota Kinabalu city, capital of Sabah is a beautiful city located by the sea. This tour will allow us to capture an overview of the City’s aspiration as we drive through the town and suburbs passing by major landmarks such as the State and City Mosque where we will make a short photo stop, Tg. Aru beach and the highest building, Tun Mustapha Tower.

We understand that seeing the orang-utans in their own environment may be one of the highlights of your cruise, but due to high demand, please appreciate that once we have reached the maximum capacity on our tours, it will be very difficult for us to secure further departures. Your understanding with this will be greatly appreciated.

The official currency of Borneo is the Ringgit, however the US Dollar and Pound Sterling is widely accepted in tourist shops.

The park is famous for its exciting crocodile feeding shows and educational wildlife presentations including wetland wildlife, crocodile farm tours, a snake show, cassowary feeding and koala feeding.

On this tour we travel north along the scenic Captain Cook Highway, enjoying views of the Coral Sea and rainforest-covered mountains to Rainforest Habitat in Port Douglas. Situated on eight acres of land, the Habitat has been divided into three different and unique environments that depict numerous species of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands, and grasslands.

Our tour will take us on the amazing Skyrail and a visit to the charming village of Kuranda.

We will explore this friendly tropical town on our tour which has minimal walking.

Cairns is the best known city on the Queensland Coast – a tropical, laid-back, yet modern centre where anything is possible. This region is as diverse in natural treasures as the cosmopolitan mix of cultures and peoples that call it home.

Listed by the World Heritage Society and acclaimed as amongst the world’s most wonderful assets are the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Rainforests. These year-round natural attractions are truly memorable and inspiring. The colourful, sophisticated capital of the tropical north, Cairns City is alive with life and charm. Here, warm northern hospitality and enthusiasm are the order of the day.

Please note that swimming from coastal beaches will be unsuitable for our call, due to the large number of poisonous jellyfish.

The official currency of Cairns is the Australian Dollar.

We shall take a short transfer from the pier to the General Aviation terminal where we will begin our 60 minute flight, offering the best that Tropical North Queensland has to offer – the reef and the rainforest!

Our tour today will allow us to experience Aboriginal culture; wildlife and an amphibious army duck ride at Rainforestation. We will learn interesting facts about Aboriginal culture on the Dreamtime walk and see the Pamagirri Dancers perform traditional song and dance in the rainforest amphitheatre.

From Brisbane we will take a drive south and the inland to the Mount Tamborine volcanic plateau, home to rain forest, waterfalls, wineries and orchards. After our sojourn here, we will descend the mountains, travelling through Oxenford, to the Gold Coast, famed for its many resorts, fine shops and dazzling beaches.

Enjoying a semi-tropical climate, this lovely city is lushly landscaped with jacarandas, flame trees, bougainvilleas and numerous other flowers and shrubs. Our tour will take us past the Parliament House, the Treasury Building, the Old Customs House, the Cultural Centre, the magnificent Botanical Gardens and many other historical and landmark sites.

For reference, the distance from where we shall dock into the city is approximately 10 kilometres (6 miles).

The official currency of Brisbane is the Australian Dollar.

Visit the world’s largest koala sanctuary and discover Brisbane – ‘The City of Sun Days’. Our tour today will explore this rapidly growing city built along the winding picturesque Brisbane River.

This is no doubt one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy the city of Brisbane as we travel down the meandering Brisbane River on a marvellous wooden Mississippi-style paddle wheeler.

We shall climb aboard our 4-wheel drive vehicle for an unforgettable journey through the dramatic landscapes of the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Our tour invites us to experience the life of the “Rich and Famous” of the Gold Coast and spend our day at Surfers Paradise, voted one of the best beaches in the world!

A stop will be made at the Mt Coot tha Look Out, this location is ideal for photos offering us stunning views of the Great Dividing Range, Brisbane City and Moreton Bay with its small islands to the east, and the Glasshouse Mountains and D’Agilar Range to the west.

Today we board our coach and head for the Sunshine Coast to spend a thrilling time at Australia Zoo – home of the family of the late ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin. Here we will see some of Australia’s most unique and amazing wildlife, as well as some interesting animals from around the world, including freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, kangaroos, dingoes and snakes.

Experience the exhilaration of climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Joining our coach we will drive west through Sydney to the renowned Featherdale Wildlife Park, one of Australia’s largest private collections of Australian native animals and bird life. Operating since 1972, Featherdale has more than 2200 animals from over 230 species.

Our evening will begin with a coach transfer to the Opera House. Located in A-Reserve seats in the theatre, we will then relax for a dazzling performance of The Marriage of Figaro by talented professionals in this unparalleled performing arts venue.

(THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO) - TUESDAY 6th MARCH 2012

Our day will begin with a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, which houses a great variety of wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, Australian reptiles, Tasmanian devils, wombats and various species of Australian birds. We can enter enclosures for face to face, touch to touch meetings with friendly kangaroos and cuddly koalas – we can even have our photograph taken standing next to a koala (optional, at extra cost).

Discover the grace and magic of Sydney Harbour, a stunning and unique destination. A cruise on the harbour is a must for all visitors to Sydney, and provides magnificent views of waterfront homes, secluded bays and beautiful beaches.

Leaving our ship, we will take a short walk to board our luxury vessel for an approximate two and a half hour leisurely dinner cruise around this stunning harbour. We will enjoy a seven course menu set to the brilliant backdrop of Sydney by night.

Meet and journey with Chris Darwin in the footsteps of his great-great grandfather Charles through the Blue Mountains exploring the wildlife and landscapes that inspired his theories.
 

The Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point and reaches out to the harbour. Described as the eighth wonder of the modern world, it is certainly one of the most recognisable images, along with the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building – and one of the most photographed.
 

This is an exclusive journey of Australian Discovery and is perfect for visitors who are interested in Australian animals and their environment. This special tour has been designed to encourage interaction between visitors and Australian animals.

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR WITH LIMITED NUMBERS - PRE BOOKING IS RECOMMENDED

Our evening will begin with a coach transfer to the Opera House. Located in A-Reserve seats in the theatre, we will then relax for a dazzling performance of Turandot by talented professionals in this unparalleled performing arts venue.

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (TURANDOT) - WEDNESDAY 7TH MARCH 2012

We are in for the thrill of a lifetime as we enjoy the experience and romance of a water-based flight!

The original site of Sydney is a place highly valued by the oldest civilisation in the world! For at least 50,000 years, its Aboriginal people fished the waters of its sheltered harbour, and speared the plentiful supply of animals that inhabited its heavily-wooded shores.

The Australian sun can be very hot – it is recommended to wear sunscreen and a hat and carry water at all times.

The official currency in Sydney is the Australian Dollar.
 

This comprehensive tour of Noumea will provide us with an easy paced, guided overview of Noumea’s city, hills, bays, beaches and state of the art aquarium.

Travelling with our guide, we will make our way through the city centre where we will be able to view various landmarks and observe the blend of typically French architecture and South Pacific lifestyle.

New Caledonia is approximately 1,600 kilometres (995 miles) from the Australian coast, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, and forms a part of Oceania. It was discovered in 1774 by Captain Cook, who named it New Caledonia. In 1853, it was annexed by Napoleon III for France, and the original colonists were soon joined by convicts from Paris. The final quarter of the 19th century saw the discovery of rich mineral sources, which resulted in a flood of miners from many different lands. This, together with the nickel boom of the late 1960s, which attracted a further influx of people, resulted in today’s multicultural population.

UNESCO has recently listed (7th July 2008) the New Caledonia Barrier Reef on the World Heritage List under the name The Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems.

The currency of New Caledonia is the French Pacific Franc.
 

The “land train” is an excellent option for those of us seeking a guided orientation tour of the city and resort area, complete with the best viewpoint of the peninsular.

Leaving our ship we will take an approximate 30 minute ride through the countryside to Parc Fayard at Dumbea where we will be met by our “Terra Incognita” guide.

Upon our arrival we will join our friendly crew on an approximate 45 minute cruise out to Duck Island’s Marine Reserve. We will view a wide variety of colourful fish and coral through the glass bottom. During our journey we will have an opportunity to help feed the swarms of fish surrounding the boat.

Our tour of the picturesque peninsular will provide us with an easy paced, guided overview of Noumea’s city, hills, bays, beaches and immediate countryside. All in all, ‘the best of Noumea’.

We will board our handmade canoe, paddled by traditional warriors to travel along the Epile River for approximately 30 minutes. At a local village we will be met by the chief and his tribe who will entertain you with local dances.

Cascades waterfall is 20 metre high waterfall with naturally eroded rock swimming pools set amidst jungle-like rainforest.

Along the way we will receive full commentary as we cruise past private homes, villages, rainforest and sea-side resorts and restaurants.
 

Please note that the tours are all by coasters (mini buses) which may not have working p/a systems or air-conditioning and the quality of the vehicles used may not match the standards we have come to expect in Europe. Unfortunatley the tour mini buses cannot take wheelchairs onboard.

We strongly recommend passengers on tour to take insect repellent with them.

The official currency of Port Vila is the Vatu, although Australian Dollars are widely accepted.

Today we will experience the length and breadth of Port Vila from Pango Point to Mele Bay. We will begin with a visit to Nicholai Michoutouchkine and Aloi Pilioko Foundation Museum which are centred within a privately owned tropical garden.

Once we reach the sheltered reef near Irifa Island we will be given the opportunity to enjoy some snorkelling within the Port Vila Harbour. Alternatively if we would rather we could relax on the vessel’s upper sun deck and enjoy the sunshine and scenery.
 

Departing from the quayside we will be taken on an orientation of Port Vila which will include many points of scenic, cultural and historic interest.

Boarding our mini bus we will take a short drive to visit Ekasup Village which has been awarded Vanuatu’s best tourist attraction for the past two years. Here Ekasup villages in traditional dress will give us an insight into the magical and mysterious world of Ancient Melanesia.

We visit Fiji during the wet season, so brief tropical showers can be expected and a light jacket or raincoat is recommended. Coaches or small buses are generally used for tours, although transport could be by car.

The currency of Fiji is the Fiji Dollar – Euros and US Dollars may be accepted.

A boutique resort set on one of Fiji’s longest beaches will mean that we will get to enjoy uninterrupted views of Stunning Beqa Lagoon.

Our tour will take us to Fiji’s capital city, Suva – centre of commerce and the seat of government.

Spices of Fiji is just west of Suva, a twenty minute drive from our ship. The farm is 90 hetore paradise of jungle, waterfalls, streams and river and home to the Organic Spice Gardens of Fiji.

This is a true off-road tour. We will be riding in four by four vehicles to places which are usually inaccesssible to all other modes of transport.

The Lagoonarium is a highlight of Bora Bora, located on a remote islet. We head here from Vaitape in a motorised outrigger canoe or catamaran style boat, travelling half-way round the island.

Enjoy Bora Bora's magical lagoon onboard our covered boat.

Discover the beauty of the ever-changing colours of the lagoon of Bora Bora, on a covered snorkeling boat.
 

Departing the pier in Vaitape, our exploration by glass-bottom boat will allow us to see Bora Bora’s famous marine life without getting wet.

Please note that there is only one rather basic road on Bora Bora, and the quality of the vehicles used may not match the standards we have come to expect in Europe. Should we wish to swim during our time in Bora Bora, there is only one public beach – Matira Beach, an approximate 20 minute drive from Vaitape, the main village on the island, where we tender into.

We call into French Polynesia during the rainy season, so a tropical shower or two can be expected (they finish almost as soon as they start).

We advise passengers on tour to take insect repellent with them.

French and Tahitian are the official languages, however, English is widely understood. The preferred currency is the French Pacific Franc, although US Dollars may be accepted (not Sterling).

Le Truck’ is a popular mode of transportation in French Polynesia – a non-air-conditioned jitney. We depart from the pier and commence a drive around this island paradise, heading first to the district of Fa’anui, passing small villages and fields where we may see the everyday life of the people of Bora Bora. We’ll make a short stop at Fa’anui Bay for photographs.

Departing Papeete, our tour will take us along the west coast of Tahiti. At La Pointe des Pecheurs (Fishermen’s Point), we stop to visit the Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, which displays not only a number of archaeological finds, but will help us to gain an impression of the island’s geology, its flora and fauna, and to learn about the culture and customs of ancient and modern Tahiti.

Our boat tour today will take us on the blue waters of Tahiti!

Please note that roads in Tahiti may appear to us, as rather basic. The traffic in the small but busy city of Papeete can be heavy.

French and Tahitian are the official languages, however, English is widely understood.

We advise passengers on tour to take insect repellent with them.

The official currency of Tahiti is the French Pacific Franc, although US Dollars may be accepted (not Sterling).

Our adventurous tour will take us ‘off the beaten track’, into Tahiti’s lush vegetation. Travelling in four-wheel drive vehicles, we will journey towards the East Coast, making our way to the Papeeno Valley.

Leaving Papeete, we head towards the East Coast. We will pass the Tahara’s point and continue to the Arahoho Blowhole where we shall witness (conditions permitting) the ocean spurting dramatically out from underneath the coastal road.

Departing from the pier in a four-wheeled drive vehicle we will use the steep trail through the lush vegetation of the interior of the island to reach Taipivai Valley.

Travelling to the Marquesas will be a discovery of secluded islands with very limited facilities. Tours run using locals’ vehicles and with drivers speaking very limited English. The guides may not be certified: their English and knowledge may be very basic. Our tours are mainly sightseeing tours with one guide every 10-15 (subject to availability). Cars may not come with air-conditioning. Seating is usually four passengers per vehicle.

The official currency of Nuka Hiva is the Pacific Franc, however US Dollars and Euros are also accepted in tourist areas.

Starting out from Callao port we will board our coach and drive through the centre of Lima where we will see the Government Palace, the cathedral and the old colonial section to view the lights of Plaza Mayor and other main streets.

On this excursion we can enjoy a visit to one of Peru’s largest private collections, amassed over a lifetime by the late diplomat Miguel Mujica Gallo.

From the pier we will travel to Plaza Mayor, the main square, where we can appreciate the majestic colonial architecture.

Let us start with a wonderful fact about Peru – without the Incas we would not be able to enjoy chips, mash, and roast or baked potatoes. They discovered the cooking potential of the potato and cultivated them.

The currency of Peru is the Nuevo Sol.

Founded in 1926 in a renovated 1707 mansion, the Larco Herrera Museum contains the biggest private collection of pre-Columbian art that exists in the world and consists of about 45,000 pieces, mainly pottery, that were excavated by Peruvian archaeologist Rafael Larco Hoyle.