Exotic Asia – Cruise Destination Review

What is an exotic cruise destination?

Exotic describes someone or something that is foreign or unusual. So that means that an exotic cruise offers an itinerary that is unique (not offered week after week). For a non-cruiser that could mean just about anywhere. But for the experienced cruise traveler what means a destination that is off the beatern-path.

Fruit sellers - Taling Chan Floating Market Thailand - photo by avlxyz

Choose a Southeast Asisan cruise itinerary to discover  the floating market of the Taling Chan district of Bangkok, Thailand or visit the  French colonial buildings and opera theaters of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Great Wall of China. Photo by Carrie Finley-Bajak.

A wonder and an item that shows up on a blot of ‘bucket lists” is a visit to China’s Great Wall. Northern routes will take you from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dalian, and Eastward to South Korea and Japan.

Exotic Asia cruising: Shanghai. Yùfó Chán Sì, literally Jade Buddha Chan Temple) is a Buddhist temple in Shanghai, China

WuXi, near Shanghai.

East meets West: tour guide Jack at Taiqing Palace in China.

Taoist Monks near Mt. Laoshan at Taiqing Palace. Photo by Carrie Finley-Bajak.

Hakata, Japan.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul, South Korea.

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Silversea Cruises offers Slow Food Cruise Tours in Tuscany

Foodies sailing on Silversea Cruises are in for a treat. The luxury cruise line is offering a three-night sojourn into the Tuscan countryside for a pre or post cruise experience celebrating Slow Food.

Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany

For those not familiar with the Slow Food concept, it is a culinary movement that aims to bring food to consumers that is locally grown and close to source.  The Slow Food movement  aims to promote sustainable foods while promoting  local small businesses. Darius Mehta, Silversea’s vice president of air and land programs sees this tour as a “an excellent opportunity for foodies and travelers alike to discover the beauty, food, tradition and culture of Tuscany, while also gaining greater insight into the principles of the Slow Food movement.”

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Foodies sailing on Silversea Cruises are in for a treat. The luxury cruise line is offering a three-night sojourn into the Tuscan countryside for a pre or post cruise experience celebrating Slow Food.

Highlights of the 3-day Slow Food tour in the Brunello region of Tuscany include:

• Three nights lodging at Il Borgo, Castello
• Cooking class, where participants will learn to prepare typical Tuscan specialties with the help of Silversea’s own culinary team
• In-depth tour of the Castello Banfi winery
• A full-day tour of Slow Food-recommended vineyards, olive groves, farms or other traditional food-producing operations in and around Bolgheri

Priced from $3,599 per guest (based on double occupancy), the Slow Food tour is offered as a pre-cruise option on Silver Wind’s April 30 voyage (#2212), Rome to Venice, and Silver Spirit’s October 22 sailing (#5233) from Rome to Barcelona. It’s also available as a post-cruise option on Silver Wind’s April 17 voyage (#2210), Barcelona to Rome.

Silversea Cruises teams up with Choozi Entertainment to offer new onboard entertainment concept

Silversea Cruises, always an innovator, is moving away from traditional production shows to a series of concert-style shows. Cruisers can look forward to something new and fresh from the Choozi Entertainment team who bring an experienced and creative eye onboard to dazzle audiences.

Get ready to stand, cheer and clap

New show signed and ready for cruise visitors on Silversea Cruises.

The concept is to feature classically trained vocalists and musicians who will perform for guests in new formats produced exclusively for Sivlersea Cruises.

Not only will Choozi Entertainment develop high-energy shows like  Signed, Sealed, Delivered - a musical journey through Motown’s songbook, cruise passengers will also enjoy  High C’s, which is a a take on the classics with a modern twist, in the same manner as Il Divo, Josh Groban, and Sarah Brightman.

Under the direction of  Christopher Childers and his sister, Suzanne Childers, cruise guests on Silversea will be able to enjoy the new production numbers throughout the ship.

“The decision to bring this level of entertainment aboard their ships will allow their guests the opportunity to experience Broadway-caliber musical theater while cruising around the world.” Suzanne Childers, president of Choozi.

The new entertainment offerings are currently debuting on the October 24 sailing of Silver Cloud, with additional shows opening this month on Silver Whisper, Silver Wind and Silver Shadow. The program will also be rolled out to Silver Spirit in March 2012.

InterContinental Hong Kong

18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 2721-1211

InterContinental Hong Kong photographed from Silversea Silver Shadow's arrival into Victoria Harbour.

Cruise visitors can’t get any closer to the action than the InterContinental Hong Kong. Built over the edge of Victoria Harbor, the hotel offers spectacular views of Hong Kong Island and the lively activity happening on the water.

The InterContinental Hong Kong is located in Kowloon about 10 minutes from Ocean Terminal. Cruise guests can select from a variety of transportation options which offer convenient access to the property from Hong Kong International Airport or from the ship.

UNIQUE FEATURES

The Lobby Lounge: a great place to enjoy a signature Nine Dragon Cocktail” at InterContinental Hong Kong

Unrivaled views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island

The InterContinental Hong Kong is a contemporary 17-story hotel. The focal point of the hotel lobby area is the sweeping 3-story high windows that offer panoramic views of Hong Kong Island and Victoria Harbour.

It’s all about the Feng Shui – A Perfect Balance of Yin & Yang

The InterContinental Hong Kong is designed to maximize the overall Feng Shui of the property thereby yielding good fortune and harmony. Experts have been consulted to make sure that attention has been given to every detail.

The legend of the “Nine Dragons of Kowloon” plays a big role in the layout of the hotels main entrance and lobby.  The “Nine Dragons’ have special significance for InterContinental Hong Kong with its dramatic location on the Kowloon waterfront. According to legend, the nine dragons descend from the mountains at dawn to bathe in the harbour and at dusk to drink from the harbour. As dragons can magically pass through glass, the InterContinental Hong Kong’s Lobby provides an alluring pathway. This mythical procession has graced the hotel with exceptional good fortune and “Feng Shui”.

Make sure to ask the concierge or a member of the staff to explain some of the details. Nothing has been left to chance from the design of the lobby area, the details in the spa, to the placement of the furniture in the guest rooms.

Dine to your hearts content – Michelin Stars and Great Cuisine

T

Yan Toh Heen- Steamed Garoupa Fillet and Turnip with Crab Roe. Photo by InterContinental Hong Kong.

• NOBU InterContinental Hong Kong features new-style Japanese cuisine of world-famous chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

• SPOON by Alain Ducasse – - Recipient of 1-Michelin Star in the 2011 Michelin Guide (Hong Kong & Macau), SPOON by Alain Ducasse features contemporary French cuisine inspired by Alain Ducasse.

• The Steak House wine bar + grill – Named one of the “World’s Top 10 Hotel Restaurants” by HOTELS Magazine (USA).

• Yan Toh Heen serves traditional Cantonese cuisine in a modern setting. Pay special attention to the beautiful jadeware at this 1-Michelin Star restaurant.

TOP SIGHTS 

• Cable Car Ride
• Evening Harbour Cruise on Victoria Harbour
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Jade Market
• Knutsford Terrace
• Kowloon Park
• Lan Kwai Fong – trendy shops, restaurants and bars (close to hotel)
• Museum of History
• Ocean Park
• Stroll or jog along the Avenue of Stars (think boardwalk and Hollywood Walk of Fame)
• Wong Tai Sin Temple

Getting Around: Airport Transfers and Cruise Port

InterContinental Hong Kong Arrival Experience. Photo by InterContinental Hong Kong.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

• Distance 22.37 miles to hotel

Private car

• InterContinental Hong Kong has a fleet of Mercedes Benz S320 for Airport transfers. Contact the hotel to make arrangements.

Train – Airport Express

• Train Charge (one way): HK$100.00 (HKD). Time by train is 30 minutes.

 Train/Subway

• Subway Name: MTR Tsim Sha Tsui Station
• Distance 0.25 miles from hotel

Taxis

• Taxis are plentiful. A ride to the airport can cost about HK$300 for the ride.

Cruise Line Transfer

• Check with your cruise line if they offer a transfer to or from the hotel. This option is convenient for getting to the port from the airport but not the most ideal way to get to or from the hotel. The price for a cruise line transfer to or from the hotel is not a good value.