Discover the orient with a nautical twist

Discover the orient with a nautical twist

Experience Asia with the luxury of a cruise

For many holidaymakers, destinations such as Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia and Thailand seem light years away.  Getting to these places and exploring them seems like such a daunting task than many people don’t venture too far beyond the familiar and culturally comparable confines of Europe or the US.  The cost and distance has also been prohibitive in the past so it simply wasn’t an option for most people unless they managed to take a year out to go back backing or had the resources to take a trip of a lifetime.  But the far east has now become much more accessible and a great way to see and experience this treasure chest of otherworldliness is by taking it all in with a cruise.

Imagine electrifying cities with a forest of neon-lit skyscrapers, blonde beaches and bountiful seas as rainbows of fish flit through its aquamarine depths, wooden villas with gracefully upturned roofs, raging waterfalls, tribal outposts and bridges woven from the living roots of jungle trees.  Explore regions packed full of action and edge-of-the-map places you’ve probably never heard of all the while enjoying the comfort and amenities of a cruise ship. Wake up in a new port every day ready to explore a whole new oriental destination.

Cruising is becoming increasingly popular with Irish holidaymakers with over 40,000 people expected to hit the high seas by the end of 2016.   From top-deck picnic lawns and sky-skimming viewing pods to planetariums and vertical-drop water slides, cruise ship design has reached a whole new level as shipping companies go to extremes to attract passengers.  Irish cruise agency e-travel now specialise in ‘cruise and stay’ packages to the far east and have done all the work for you!

Cruise and stay packages available from e-travel at the moment include:

1. 10 Night China & Japan Fly, Stay & Cruise on February 14^th  from €1395 per person sharing

This includes return flights overnight from Ireland to Shanghai (via UK or European gateway), 3 Nights at the 5 Star Crowne Plaza Hotel with breakfast, a Best of Shanghai Tour for a full day featuring Yu Yuan Garden, Shanghai Old Street, Bund, Shanghai Museum, Former French Concession District, Shanghai Arts and Crafts Store, Jade Buddha Temple, Xin Tian Di, lunch at a local restaurant.  You will then board a 5 Night cruise on board the extraordinary Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas (Quantum Class).  This ship features Rip Cord by iFly, North Star Capsule, Sea Plex Bumper Cars & Roller Skating, Flow Rider, Rock Climbing, Virtual Balconies, 4 pools, Vitality Spa, Bionic Bar and much more.  Ports of call include Nagasaki, Japan & Fukuoka, Japan and transfers are included.

2. 9 Night Singapore & Southeast Asia Fly, Stay & Cruise on February 1^st from €1445per person sharing.  This includes return flights overnight from Ireland to Singapore (via UK or European gateway). 2 Nights at the 4 Star Singapore hotel with breakfast, a full day Island tour before boarding the Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas (Voyager Class) for 5 nights. Relax in Mariner of the Seas sauna and streamroom, or dance the night away in the nightclub. From ice-skating and in-line skating to golf and fantastic theatre shows - you'll be spoilt for choice. Other sports you may like to try include rock climbing, football, basketball and volleyball.  Ports of call include Penang, Malaysia- Lankawi, Malaysia & Phuket, Thailand and transfers are included

Further destinations available from e-Travel include Vietnam & Philippines, China & south Korea, Gems of Indonesia, Asia and Australia, Great Barrier Adventure, Australian Coast & Bali, Selection of New Zealand Cruises, Korea & China and China & Philippines. All of these include flights to port, transfers and hotel accommodation.

Established in 1997, e-travel is now one of Ireland’s leading independent travel agents, specialising in flights, long-haul and online bookings as well as top cruise lines Cunard, Princess & P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, MSC Cruises, Silversea Cruiseline, NCL, Carnival, Holland America and Hurtigruten.  e-travel are the only 100% Irish owned and managed online agency in Ireland.  e-travel’s award winning team offer expertise and advice, early booking discounts, onboard credit, champagne in your cabin and lots more and can be contacted on 01 4081999 or www.e-travel.ie.