Asian Cruises – The Best Last Minute Options for Christmas

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Taking yourself, your partner or the whole family away for a special Christmas cruise in Asia has never been easier. Cruise lines are all set for a bumper 2015 Christmas cruise season with numerous departures from all around the country heading north to the vast possibilities throughout Asia.

 

Many Christmas cruises tend to be longer itineraries, taking into account Australia’s love of extended breaks over the Christmas and New Year period. If Asia is your goal, you should also factor in airfares, as many Christmas cruise itineraries depart from ports such as Singapore. But don’t be put off – packages can also include airfares at very competitive rates.

 

For Adelaide-based travellers, the Asian-based Star Cruises departs from the South Australian capital on December 3, aboard the 1800-passenger SuperStar Virgo for a mammoth 28-day cruise along the eastern seaboard via Bali, Singapore and Vietnam before finishing in vibrant Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve. Passengers can also join in Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane with the option to disembark in Singapore.

 

For travellers happy to depart from Singapore in December, the ever-popular Princess Cruises has a brilliant 15-night Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam Grand Adventure that departs from the Lion City on December 14 aboard the luxurious 2600-passenger Sapphire Princess. There are lots of port visits throughout the cruise, including Penang, Bangkok and even Brunei, ensuring plenty of enrichment and Christmas shopping opportunities along the way. If you really want to make the most of it, a 21-night option is available to extend your cruise to Bali.

 

The many fans of highly regarded Celebrity Cruises will not miss out. The popular Celebrity Millennium has a two-week itinerary departing Hong Kong on December 20, heading south to Singapore. The plush 2100-passenger ship visits Hanoi, Danang, Saigon and Bangkok before disembarking in Singapore in the New Year, so you can add a New Year’s Eve party to your celebration calendar.

 

Holland America is a cruise brand many Australians are becoming familiar with, and the choice is there for you with a great value two-week round trip from Singapore. Departing on December 22, the ship heads north to Rangoon via Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The highlight of this cruise is an extended three-day stay in the mysterious Burmese capital, now opening up to Western visitors.

 

If shorter cruises appeal, Royal Caribbean’s massive 3000-passenger Mariner of the Seas is spending all of December on quick three-, four- and five-night excursions in South-East Asia, with most departing from Singapore. A perfect way to add some variety and relaxing sea time to your Asian holiday. If you have the family in tow, this might be your best bet as the five-night excursion Spice Of SE Asia departs Singapore on Christmas Eve, returning on the 29th. Plenty of time to grab the kids from last day of school and get to Singapore in time to enjoy a few days in this action-packed city either before or after your cruise.

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