It’s not too late to book an Asia break to beat the Christmas rush. Move fast and you can catch this last-minute flash sale, exclusive to Worldwide Cruise Centres agents (worldwidecruisecentres.com.au). This seven-night special includes a cruise on fabulous Sapphire Princess, with free upgrades to balcony cabins on selected departures.
The whole seven-night cruise-and-stay holiday, called ‘Asia Break Before Christmas Rush’, includes return airfares from Australia, a three-night Strait of Malacca Sapphire Princess cruise round-trip from Singapore, four nights in a four-star Singapore hotel (two nights before the cruise and two nights after) with breakfast included. Extensive Singapore touring is covered as well – everything from orang-utans to vertical gardens and the Raffles Hotel.
‘Asia Break Before Christmas Rush’ is selling from A$2279 out of Perth, A$2699 from Sydney and A$2929 from Brisbane. That includes a free upgrade to a balcony cabin on Sapphire Princess.
From Melbourne, a similar package is available, departing 14 December 2015, with the cruise extended by one night (making the cruise four nights and the total holiday eight nights). That one costs from A$2779 for an inside cabin, A$2849 for an outside cabin and A$2899 for a balcony.
To qualify for ‘Asia Break Before Christmas Rush’, you must book by 27 November 2015.
The Sapphire Princess cruise central to ‘Asia Break Before Christmas Rush’ visits Penang and spends a day in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur.
‘Asia Break Before Christmas Rush’ departs Australia on 9 December 2015, with a flight from Sydney, Brisbane or Perth to Singapore.
Two nights pre-cruise four-star accommodation in Singapore with breakfast includes a one-day grand trou in an open-top bus with audio commentary, taking in Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park, Lau Pa Sat Market and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Modern Singapore emerges at Clarke Quay before you reach the lush Botanical Gardens. Visit Orchard Road, Sands SkyPark Observation Deck and Gardens by the Bay – full of great views, vertical gardens and plant species from around the world. Chinatown, Little India and Kampong Glam give great photo opportunities.
Now board Sapphire Princess and set sail for Penang. Sapphire Princess is a stunning ship and you’ll have plenty of time to explore and find your favourite spots aboard. Meals (excluding specialty restaurants) are included; so is most entertainment. Picture yourself at the poolside bar under a huge glass-roofed conservatory. There’s a soaring atrium with boutiques, art gallery, library and intimate bars.
The exotic island of Penang, once known as the Isle of Betel Nut, was ceded to the English Crown in 1786 and founded Captain Francis Light (whose son William went on to found Adelaide). European, Malaysian, Hindu, Arabic and Chinese cultures have flourished in Penang, producing a rich and cosmopolitan blend of cultures. The capital, George Town, is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Next: Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Malaysia’s capital, a graceful modern city known for impressive, soaring architecture. It has grown from a lawless huddle of kampongs, founded in the 1850s as a tin-mining outpost in the jungle.
Time to explore and shop before sailing back to Singapore, where another two nights in four-star style await. Sightseeing this time includes Morning at the Zoo – complete with jungle breakfast. Leave the city behind as you head north to Mandai to visit one of the world’s top zoos. Spread over 28 hectares, Singapore Zoo protects over 3600 mammals, birds and reptiles – including rare and endangered species. Instead of cages, natural barriers like streams, rock walls and landscaping are used to separate animals from visitors. See it all on foot or from the comfort of your tram.
If you’re looking for a memorable photo, the obliging orang-utans provide a great backdrop.
With Christmas just nine days away, it’s time to jet back to Australia.
To find your local Worldwide Cruise Centres agent go to: www.worldwidecruisecentres.com.au
SOURCE: Worldwide Cruise Centres