Join us for a 29-day cruise from Sydney to Bangkok
aboard the Viking Orion
From $11,998/person (air from $1299 per person)
March 21 - April 18, 2023
Cruise the best of Asia & Australia
Enjoy a 29-day cruise encompassing the rich and varied cultures of Australia and Asia when you combine Komodo & the Australian Coast and Bangkok, Bali & Beyond. Get to know the embracing Aussies. Witness the cerulean beauty of Australia’s coastal isles. Meet the people who shape capitals of Asian art and culture from Indonesia to Malaysia. Overnight stays in Darwin, Bali, Jakarta and Bangkok help immerse you in this breathtaking corner of the world. 29-Day Itinerary Day 1 - Sydney, Australia Arrive in Sydney and embark your ship. The capital of Australian New South Wales is celebrated for its magnificent natural harbor, the world’s largest. Nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains on the edge of the blue Pacific, Sydney is blessed with a natural setting few cities in the world can rival. Settle in to your veranda stateroom, and explore this culture-rich and much-loved city. Day 2 - Newcastle, Australia Visit modern Newcastle today. Your included tour features a scenic coastal drive, passing the old Fort Scratchley, the Newcastle and Merewether ocean baths, picturesque parks and beaches, and more. Alternately, experience the viniculture of Hunter Valley, stopping to sample some recent vintages. Or take in some of Newcastle’s main sights as your guide regales you with stories about the history of the region on a walking tour. Day 3 - Cruise the Australian coast Trace Australia’s renowned Gold Coast, lined with resorts and picturesque beaches. As you cruise today, mingle with newfound friends in The Living Room, browse the Scandinavian-inspired artwork throughout your ship and attend a talk about your upcoming ports. Day 4 - Brisbane, Australia Call on Brisbane, Queensland’s picturesque city. An included panoramic tour introduces you to its main sights, with ample opportunity to step out and take photos. See the historic Parliament House, Treasury Building and Customs House. Pass the botanical gardens before taking in sweeping views of the city and its namesake river. If you prefer, you may learn more about the continent’s famous wildlife on a visit to the world’s largest koala sanctuary. Day 5 — Cruise the Australian coast Continue following the east coast of Australia today, often called the “Sunshine Coast.” Linger on the Sun Deck or on your veranda for vistas of azure and turquoise as you sail through some of the world’s most beautiful waters. Perhaps take a dip in the Infinity Pool or stroll the Promenade Deck. This evening, enjoy the jazz strains of live music at Torshavn. Day 6 — Whitsunday Island, Australia This morning, anchor off Whitsunday Island, part of a magnificent archipelago of the same name off the Great Barrier Reef. This dazzling canvas of turquoise waters, green hills and white shores is home to countless inviting beaches. Disembark today to wade in the soothing waters and relax on soft sands. Or challenge yourself on Hamilton Island's 18-hole championship golf course amid this paradisiacal setting. Day 7 — Townsville, Australia Call in Townsville today. An included city tour introduces you to the beloved old architecture of this seldom visited coastal city. Take in panoramic views from atop the Castle Hill viewpoint and call on the Strand—a long stretch of tropical beach lined with gardens and the pride of the locals. If you prefer, you can venture into the bush to pay a visit to the Nywaigi Aboriginal people at a cattle station or embark on a guided walk through the Wet Tropics of Queensland, the world’s oldest surviving rain forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day 8 — Cairns, Australia Call on Cairns today, built on the shoulders of gold prospectors. Today, it is a major sugarcane and fishing port, and gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Take in the major sights of Cairns on a city tour, featuring a stop at its historic Royal Australian Navy base, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Palm Cove, a quaint, beach-loving community. Or perhaps board a catamaran for an exciting sail to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, the largest continuous system of its kind on Earth, or join an excursion to the lush Daintree Rainforest. Day 9 — Cruise the Coral Sea Sail the waters of the Coral Sea today, home to the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef. Your day at sea provides the ideal opportunity to read about your upcoming ports in The Library and to perhaps make an appointment at The Salon for a hair treatment, manicure, shave or Nordic scalp massage. Day 10 — Thursday Island, Australia Explore Thursday Island today, home to a thriving artistic community. You will have time to explore on your own, or perhaps join an optional excursion to discover the history of the island’s defense during a visit to Green Hill Fort. Alternately, learn about the indigenous people of Torres Strait during an optional excursion that includes a traditional outdoor dance performance. Day 11 --Cruise the Arafura Sea Sail the shallow tropical waters of the Arafura Sea. As you cruise today, enjoy coffee or a drink in the Explorers’ Lounge or stroll the wraparound Promenade Deck. Day 12 — Darwin, Australia Arrive today in Darwin, Australia, capital of the continent’s Northern Territory. Take in the city’s highlights on an included panoramic tour, passing Christ Church Cathedral, the seven-gabled Government House and the Old Admiralty House. A stop at the East Point lookout reveals the coastal beauty of the Top End. If you would like, you can set out along the Adelaide River to view the area’s famed jumping crocodiles, or travel by seaplane, boat and airboat through the forest and wetlands of Sweets Lagoon. Day 13 — Darwin, Australia Spend the morning exploring more of Darwin’s charms. Perhaps you will have breakfast at a local café, or stroll through harborside Bicentennial Park. You may also choose to join an eco cruise through Darwin Harbor and discover a diverse and surprising marine world. Return on board for lunch and an afternoon departure. Day 14 — Cruise the Timor Sea As you sail the Timor Sea today, you might enjoy some yoga on the Sports Deck and indulge in a soak in the Thermal Pool of The Spa. Day 15 — Komodo Island, Indonesia Anchor among the stunning vistas of Indonesia’s Komodo Island. Go ashore to visit Komodo National Park and the Tamarind Woods, a magnificent menagerie of wildlife including the famed Komodo dragon. If you wish, don a snorkel and mask and explore the vibrant underwater world at Pink Beach, so called for the rose-hued coral washed ashore and crushed to a fine powder by crashing waves. Day 16 — Lombok, Indonesia Call on the port of Lembar on the Indonesian island of Lombok. Journey to the foot of Mt. Rinjani, the nation’s second tallest volcano, to the town of Senggigi. Here, you can spend the day relaxing on the island’s best beach, stretching several miles along a green and lush coast. This resort town is quite young, making your leisurely visit an uncrowded affair. Alternately, you can tour the island’s capital of Mataram, renowned for its pearl shops and excellent artisans. Or explore two of the island’s craft villages, where wood-carvers and potters keep rich traditions alive. Day 17 — Bali Explore the deeply spiritual island of Bali, with its colorful markets and rich culture of arts, crafts and traditional dance. Explore its bustling provincial capital of Denpasar on an included tour, admiring the colors, flavors and fragrances of the local market, the Bali Museum and the sublime temple of Jagatnatha. Day 18 — Bali (Benoa) You have another day to experience the vibrant culture and magnificent landscapes of Bali. Continue uncovering the wonders of Denpasar, or opt to immerse yourself in the island’s spirituality and arts during an optional excursion. Alternately, see how the traditional Balinese once lived and witness the creativity of talented artisans during an arts and crafts tour. Day 19 — Surabaya, Java, Indonesia Explore Surabaya, the capital of East Java. View the Heroes Monument, then enjoy a panoramic tour that reflects the city’s diversity, from its mosques and churches to its Arab and European districts. If you prefer, you can immerse yourself in the city’s colonial past and vibrant present on a tour of some its main sights and take in a traditional Balinese performance. Day 20 — Semarang, Java Today, call on Semarang on the island of Java. Stop for photos of the oldest church in Central Java, visit a historic Chinese Muslim temple and walk through the stunning Rainbow Village on an included tour. Alternately, you may choose to board a vintage railcar for a ride through the Javanese countryside before visiting a coffee plantation. Day 21 — Jakarta, Indonesia Arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling and colorful capital, for an overnight stay. Discover its treasures during a city tour that takes you to the National Monument, enormous Fatahillah Square and the Wayang Museum (dedicated to Javanese puppetry). Alternately, embark on an optional tour of the city’s fascinating Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park to see exhibits on traditional Indonesian arts, architecture and culture. Day 22 — Jakarta Enjoy another day in Jakarta. Uncover more of its cultural landmarks on your own, perhaps pausing for a lunch of Betawi cuisine, rich in the food traditions of nearby nations. Or head up 1,000 feet to the town of Bogor to see its tea plantations and farms and explore its lush botanical gardens and safari park. Day 23 — Cruise the Java Sea Sail the Java Sea today. As you cruise, you will have a chance to sample some cuisine of the islands such as rijsttafel, a rice meal adopted by the Dutch and still enjoyed throughout The Netherlands. Day 24 — Singapore Arrive in Singapore today. This diverse city is a melting pot of varied influences, as you will see during visits to the Colonial District, Little India, Arab Street and Chinatown on an included tour. If you like, join an optional excursion to visit Gardens by the Bay, with its futuristic Supertree Grove, and take in sweeping views of the city from atop the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. Day 25 — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Take in the beautiful cityscapes of Kuala Lumpur, the lively capital of Malaysia. From your berth in Port Klang, you will journey to the city for a panoramic tour with many photo opportunities. Pass the National Museum, the huge bronze National Monument and the National Mosque of Malaysia. Stop in scenic Merdeka Square (Independence Square), the most photographed spot in the city, and view the impressive Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest building from 1998 until 2004. Day 26 — Sail the Java Sea Sail the Java Sea today. Day 27 — Sail the Gulf of Thailand Cruise through the Gulf of Thailand today. As you do so, perhaps soothe your body with a hot sauna and a few minutes amid the fluffy snow of the Snow Grotto. This evening, enjoy cocktails in the Explorers’ Lounge and a dinner of authentic Thai dishes in The Restaurant. Day 28 — Bangkok, Thailand Arrive in Bangkok today, beautifully set on the Chao Phraya River. Settle into your stateroom, and take in the sights and sounds of one of Southeast Asia’s most colorful and cosmopolitan cities, including its many canals plied by traditional longboats and other small vessels. Day 29 — Bangkok (Laem Chabang) Disembark this morning and transfer to the Bangkok airport for your flight home. Or explore more with our post-extension in this fascinating city. |
All This Is Included
Sydney Opera House
Whitsunday Island
Cairns
Great Barrier Reef
Wallaby in Darwin
Timor Sea
Komodo Island
Lombok rice field
Bali
Surabaya Temple
Jakarta
Singapore Gardens
Kuala Lumpur temple
Bangkok Grand Palace
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