From Hong Kong Skylines to Singapore Shores
Embark on a journey that perfectly blends vibrant city ports with days at sea aboard the refurbished Westerdam (updated in 2023). With a comfortable capacity of just under 2,000 guests, it’s big enough to offer diversity yet intimate enough to feel cozy. Though many cruise lines follow this itinerary, if you prefer a smaller or more luxurious ship, just ask your travel advisor for some suggestions.
Logistic Notes For Your Information: When you board the ship in Hong Kong, the ship collects all passports and doesn’t return them until the last day. They handle all immigration in each country. Holland America handled the visas for Cambodia and Vietnam. Vietnam 3 ports - landing card delivered to your room, needed each time off the ship. Within 3 days of your arrival in Singapore, you will need to complete a Singapore Arrival Card.
Each day onboard offers something unique. Unwinding to classical tunes in the Explorer’s Lounge, or live performances in the Rolling Stone Club, to the fun piano bar. Pool deck talent keeps the atmosphere lively, while enriching lectures—like the fascinating History of Vietnam—inform and inspire. Another great thing about this cruise is the onboard travel expert who knows the local economy, culture, and hidden gems of each port, which offers personalized sessions and lively lectures, adding depth to your Asian experience.
After exploring bustling ports like Hanoi, take time for yourself: a soothing 15-minute spa massage followed by a relaxing soak in the hot tub helps melt away travel fatigue. The days at sea give you a moment to pause, savor, and process the incredible sights, sounds, and flavors of Asia.
My rule of thumb is at least 1 day for every hour of flight time; The flight to Hong Kong is about 16 hours from LAX or DFW. 14-night cruise – 7 ports, 2 overnights (Hanoi and Bangkok) with 2-day pre in Hong Kong and 2-day post in Singapore. Distance from port to main attraction…i.e., Hanoi is 2.5 hours from Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An is an hour from the Da Nang port.
We began our Asian adventure with two nights at the Royal Garden Hotel—an ideal spot just a block from Victoria Bay, perfect for walks and surrounded by plenty of cafés. The breakfast buffet was a tasty mix of Chinese and American favorites.
Kicked off with a classic Hong Kong experience: crossing Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry. Then came the thrill of riding the Peak Tram, the world’s steepest funicular railway, offering incredible views from the summit. Later, we visited Stanley, a sunny market town on Hong Kong Island’s south side, full of charm and local flavor. Tip: Make sure to have a guide or purchase the Skip the Line tickets for the Trams – the lines were long.
From towering 128-story skyscrapers to the bustling energy of Kowloon’s markets, temples, and Buddhist nunnery, Hong Kong truly pulses with life. Home to 7 million people, its density far surpasses Manhattan’s on a much larger scale! We tried to visit Travel + Leisure’s #1 spot, Bar Leone, but with a 3-hour wait, we instead enjoyed an unforgettable meal at Michelin-recognized Tim Ho Wan— delicious Dim Sum. Tip – many local restaurants in Hong Kong only have chopsticks, and hot tea is automatic with the meal.
Definitely worth the stop …We started our day with a 4-hour cruise on a “junk” through breathtaking limestone karsts and caves in Ha Long Bay. After a 250-step climb up and down for our visit to the caves, our reward was not just the stunning views and caves, this was followed by a delicious Vietnamese seafood feast: boiled shrimp, stuffed crabs, and crispy fried squid. For a moment, it felt like a taste of home right in the heart of Vietnam.
Then onwards to Hanoi with a stop at a local pearl farm, how interesting to see how they cultivate the pearls, by placing a natural bead into the ovary of the pearl that over 2 – 5 years creates an incredible pearl with the color created by the membrane of the pearl.
WOW! We stayed at the Peridot Gallery Classic Boutique Hotel, a hotel located in the bustling Old Quarter of Hanoi. We started the trip with a walk through the labyrinthine alleyways of the Old Quarters. What you will remember, other than the many choices in the street market from the rotisserie duck and live fish to the flowers and Christmas decorations, you will remember crossing the street! Population of Hanoi- 10 million people, # of motorbikes - 8 million!
How to cross the streets? The group of 9 of us – used a notion called “Sticky Rice” which meant stick together and walk slowly, and the many mopeds go around you. No, they don’t stop for pedestrians, the drivers just weave around them.
Definitely worth the stop: Hanoi Train Street, a narrow railway track in the Old Quarter where visitors can have coffee and see trains pass very close by, or to the city's Hanoi Metro.
It’s easy to be a millionaire in Vietnam; 200,000 dong equals $9.50
Other highlights in Hanoi include: Ba Dinh Square, also known as the Ho Chi Minh Quarter - the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh himself -- the father of the country. Ho Chi Minh’s Cottage (or Stilt House) is situated nearby in the garden of the Presidential Palace on Ngoc Hoi Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. This is where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1958 until his passing in 1969.
Nearby, you will find the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins are shrouded in legend, and step inside the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius. Step inside the former prison Hoa Lo Museum, widely known as ‘the Hanoi Hilton’ among American GIs and POWs during the Vietnam War.
Another Very Unique Tradition in Vietnam: Water PuppetryWe visited an 8th-generation water puppet artisan. Walk through a neighborhood’s alleys. to his home, where he converted 10 square meters on his 4th floor into a mini-home theater, where we were introduced to the unique traditional art form that originated from the Red River Delta of Vietnam in the tenth century. |  |
"Marble Da Nang" refers to the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son), a cluster of five limestone and marble peaks located near Da Nang, Vietnam, so a stop at one of the many marble statue, vases, and figurines stores is interesting. From there, stop at My Khe Beach. This was a favorite military recreation spot during the war and became world famous through the television series in the USA (China Beach, now called Da Nang Beach).
Onward to Hoi An, a great small town with lots of wooden buildings, charm, and shops. Our visit to Hoi An was almost a shopping tour, purchasing a marble vase, silk scarves, a tailored men’s sports coat, and embroidered pictures. Lots of great shops selling Made in Vietnam merchandise.
Lunch was at Banh Mi Phuong, a banh mi sandwich shop, a hot spot made popular by Anthony Bourdain.
