Cruising to Bangkok? Here's a quick introduction

Bangkok Grand Palace

Cruising in SE Asia is following the same kind of growth patterns experienced elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region and Thailand is one of Asia’s busiest tourist destinations with annual arrivals now exceeding 20 million.

Cruise ships sailing in the Gulf of Thailand and visiting Bangkok will arrive at one of two ports.

Klong Toey: not pretty, but at least it's close to the city

Laem Chabang caters to the biggest ships and is around two hours south toward Pattaya, while Klong Toey (also spelled Khlong Toei with variations) is the older port and nearest Bangkok CBD catering to vessels up to the size of Seabourn and Azamara. Your cruise line will most likely have transfers arranged for Laem Chabang, while Klong Toey (KT) is better set up for DIY travellers. Public transport is not really viable at KT and most lines visiting the port will offer shuttles for the short journey into the city.

Bustling Bangkok shopping precinct (TAT)

While most city visitors will want to immerse themselves in Bangkok’s famous retail attractions centred on the Siam Exchange BTS station, there are numerous cultural attractions that should also be on your list. These include the famous Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the King Prajadhipok Museum. Also tucked away near the Siam station is the Jim Thompson House museum and shop. A great stop for really stylish Thai souvenirs, especially quality silk. These locations are best experienced on a basic city tour, while retail is best conducted at your own pace.

Exquisite silk at Jim Thompson House

Smart cruisers starting or finishing their journey in Bangkok will allow a couple days sightseeing and shopping in this frenetic city and Bangkok has a selection of magnificent hotels ranging from historic and opulent to chic and funky. Most can be had for under AUD200 per night. Shoppers should try the new Mercure/Ibis right on Siam while hipsters must check out the wild Sofitel So Bangkok near Lumphini station.

"It's a good idea to stay in Bangkok before or after your cruise or if your ship is in transit,
consider signing up for one of the ship's tours so that you won't be stressed about
getting back to the ship on time." - Richard Davey, Mosman Cruise Centre

You'll quickly make friends if you
master the Thai polite greeting

Thai Tips

Be polite and keep your manners mild. Things will go quickly pear-shaped if you lose your cool and yes, there are plenty of things to test your nerve in Bangkok. The Thais are a patient, friendly people, but don’t push it.

Don’t be afraid to bargain when shopping, you might surprise yourself. It’s quite possible to halve the ‘first price’. Look out for tailored suits, fashion and textiles, handbags, jewellery and gadgets. My tip: MBK

Getting Around

You’ve heard the stories about Bangkok’s nightmare traffic but in truth it’s not really any worse than most major cities in the world and the Thais almost never use their horns. Taxis and tuk-tuks are inexpensive and the BTS, subway and Skytrain are a dream. Just do a little swotting up beforehand.

Private cars and drivers are not as expensive as you might think and certainly a relaxed way of doing your own thing. Contact: AF Holidays

Bangkok transport tips (from Tourism Thailand) 

Who Goes There?

Princess, Star, RCCL, Hapag-Lloyd, Azamara, Seabourn, Silversea, Oceania, Cunard and Crystal are just some of the major, big ship lines that include stops at Bangkok. Because of its excellent air-links, the city is also used as a hub for many river cruises (eg Avalon, Pandaw, Heritage Line) that turn around in Siem Reap, Cambodia or Myanmar. Boutique ships are common too with SeaDream and HLK’s Hanseatic sailing up river to Klong Toey.

More info: www.thailand.net.au

Sail in a Balcony cabin with Royal Caribbean upgrade sale

There has never been a better time to book your next Royal Caribbean cruise. Pay for an Oceanview cabin and we will upgrade you to a Balcony. This means you can cruise in a Balcony cabin from as little as $142*pp per night (based on 14 night Australia & Asia Experience on Voyager of the Seas, 24 October 13).

A Royal Caribbean cruise is a great value-for-money holiday as nearly everything is included in the price: main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), most onboard activities, fitness facilities, kids programmes and activities, onboard entertainment and onboard gratuities. Therefore when you board the ship all you need to do is just sit back, relax and enjoy!

The offer is available on selected South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand cruises. For more information and a list of itineraries, please click here.





visit royalcaribbean.com.au
call 1800 754 500
or visit your travel agent



*$142 AUD per person per night applies to the Australia & Asia Experience 14 night itinerary, departing Singapore on 24 October 2013 on Voyager of the Seas. This price is based on twin occupancy and is inclusive of taxes, fees and onboard gratuities (tips). Prices for all other cruise itineraries can be found on our website. Upgrade offer is valid for new individual bookings made in a Balcony cabin only (Lead Oceanview cabin – category H is equal to lead Balcony category D2). Passengers are bound by the terms and conditions in the Royal Caribbean International South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand 2013-2015 brochure. Please click here for full terms and conditions.

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Sapphire Princess cruise to unsual destinations in Asia

THE opportunity to visit fascinating and rarely visited ports like Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, Nha Trang in Vietnam and Sihanoukville in Cambodia is part of an exciting 21-night cruise from Singapore now being sold through ecruising.travel

The voyage aboard Sapphire Princess departs on November 27 2014 and also makes calls in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Phuket in Thailand, Bali, Port Kelang and Penang in Malaysia before returning to Singapore.

The stop at Sihanoukville can include a visit to the legendary Angkor Wat Temples, whilst the stop to Port Kelang provides time to take advantage of Kuala Lumpur's fantastic shopping value.

Priced from $4699 the packages also includes return economy airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, airport transfers and two nights at the luxurious Shangri-La hotel in Singapore.

Renowned for its on-board service, Sapphire Princess offers you everything you could need for a relaxing, rejuvenating retreat, including a wide variety of freshly prepared cuisine and innovative experiences and facilities.

Facilities on board include a wine and caviar bar, 24-hour buffet/bistro, Specialty restaurants , theatre, casino, swimming pools, the Lotus spa, gym and fitness area and a range of sporting activities.

More information from ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel

 

Free Prague Extension with Avalon Waterways Cruises

Luxury river cruise specialist Avalon Waterways is offering a bonus three-night stay among the gothic spires of Prague with several departures of its most popular European cruise itinerary.

The Prague extension is normally valued at $2000 per couple and is offered free with select departures of Avalon's 15-day Magnificent Europe cruise between Amsterdam and Budapest during September and October, 2013. 

On sale for a limited time, it includes three nights' accommodation, breakfasts, sightseeing and transport to or from Budapest.

The Magnificent Europe itinerary cruises the Rhine and Danube rivers aboard Avalon's award-winning Suite Ships and includes a special music-themed departure in October with expert guides, onboard presentations, a Strauss Concert in Vienna and an excursion to Mozart's birthplace in Salzburg.

Applicable departures are priced from $4883* per person twin share. The offer is on sale until August 31, 2013, or until sold out.

For full details and bookings see licensed travel agents, visit www.avalonwaterways.com.au or phone 1300 230 234.

*Prices and special offer subject to availability and conditions.

20% OFF on Star Clippers cruises departing Sep13-Mar14

	Cruise Alert - June 2013
Hi there cruise lovers We have some awesome Last Minute Europe & Caribbean Cruise deals that might be of interest to you.  Limited space is available at 20% OFF on all our cruises departing in the period September 2013 - March 2014 in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Cuba. The special is also applicable to the festive Christmas and New Year's cruises.  Soak up the autumn colours, history and culture of the Western Mediterranean. Sail the turquoise waters of the Caribbean away from big commercial ports and into charming secluded coves. Join us in a rare adventure of nature unbounded in Costa Rica's national parks and marine reserves, or discover Cuba for the first time ever!  There are multiple itineraries to chose from and the prices start at only $2745 per person in an outside standard cabin (category 4, including all meals, entertainment and taxes) economy season. Please note YOU MUST CALL to get your 20% OFF as this deal is available only through your travel agent or by calling 1300 362 599. Availability and conditions apply. Star Clippers Caribbean and Cuba Flyer Star Clippers Western Mediterranean Flyer Click here for a PDF copy of Star Clippers 2013/14 brochure
MORE INFO
Watch a short video to get an idea of what is it like to sail with us.	Take a peak inside our mega-yachts -see a virtual tour of our ships here.
CONTACT US
Reservations: 1300 362 599 P: 02 8913 0797 F: 02 9669 6588 E: reservations@creativecruising.com.au Sales and Marketing: diana.siderova@starclippers.com P: 0423 331 797 www.starclippers.com  CARIBBEAN - COSTA RICA - PANAMA - CUBA - MEDITERRANEAN - BALTIC - OCEAN CROSSINGS
All prices are in AUD, per person, twin share, 20% OFF promo is applicable to all cabin grades and all sailings departing in the period Sep 13 - Mar 14, subject to change and availability at the time of booking. Valid for bookings by 31 Jul 13. Discounts do not apply to single & triple rates. Further conditions apply.

Mediterranean Yachting at incredible value to book now

Please contact your travel professional or SeaDREAM YACHT CLUB  info@SeaDream.com or info-europe@SeaDream.com www.SeaDream.com

Valid for new bookings only made between July 1-30, 2013. Call for Single Rates. Limited space available, Capacity controlled. Offer may be withdrawn at any time. Certain restrictions apply. Prices subject to change without notice. Not combinable with any other offers. *GTY (guarantee) rates: These special rates include the condition that you do not select your stateroom at time of booking. We guarantee that you will be on the voyage however your actual stateroom assignment will be confirmed at the discretion of SeaDream Yacht Club within 1 week of sailing. Yacht's Registry: Bahamas.

Don't Miss Windstar's Biggest Sale of the Year

1776 is more than just a date.

It's the best price of the year — and your last chance for exceptional savings on 2013 sailings! Enjoy the yachting vacation of your dreams for as low as $1,776 per person on more than 25 of the grandest voyages we offer, such as our popular Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras, Splendors of Southern Spain, and tropical delights in the Caribbean. But it doesn't stop there — you'll also enjoy spectacular savings in other popular destinations, which include fares from $976 pp on relaxing Ocean Crossings and only $1,576 pp on the beautiful Islands of the West Med. Hurry — one week only!
Book by July 8, 2013

All fares mentioned are per person, in US dollars, cruise only, based on double occupancy in Category B and include non-discountable amounts. Government fees and taxes are additional ($30-$135 per person). Offer is valid on new bookings only for select departures made between 6/28/13 and 7/8/13, and is subject to availability. Offer is not combinable with any other promotional offer or discount. Bookings are non-transferable; no name changes can be made nor can this offer be applied retroactively. Offer is capacity controlled and may be withdrawn or modified at Windstar's discretion at any time. Cancellation penalties may apply, please see brochure for details. Certain restrictions apply. Fuel surcharges may be imposed or increased over time. Offer expires July 8, 2013. Ships' registry: Bahamas