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.
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. Holland America also has Cultural Ambassadors on cruises, offering guests immersive experiences in the destination traditions, art, dance, language, and cuisine through lectures and one-to-one meetings.
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. Holland America also offers daily Catholic Mass on all its ships.
Pro Tip – Purchase Holland America's unlimited laundry package for $140 for the entire cruise. Thus, only pack for 8 days and have clothes washed regularly on board. Keep in mind the distances from ports to main attractions—for instance, Hanoi is approximately 2.5 hours from Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An is about 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. 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 a fun meal at Michelin-recognized Tim Ho Wan— not a fancy place, but delicious Dim Sum. FYI – 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 Halong 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 or 3,000,000 = $118
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.
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 charming small town with numerous wooden buildings, shops, and a great atmosphere. Our visit to Hoi An was almost a shopping tour, purchasing a marble vase, silk scarves, a tailored men’s sports coat in 3 hours, 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. Banh Mi Sandwiches - think poboys with a choice of stuffings, the most popular pork & pate. 
As we had visited Saigon while on a Mekong River Cruise before, we decided to do a tour called Coffee Culture and Street Foods. Though we did enjoy a wonderful cup of Vietnamese coffee (how could anything not be good with caffeine and condensed milk), the markets and the motorbikes are always what fascinate you. Another city, 10 million inhabitants, with at least 7 million motorbikes. Amazingly, no accidents, and everyone gets along. Lunch was fantastic, a note to the wise, ask how many courses, they like to serve one at a time and usually at least 5 plus dessert. Dessert today was a welcome treat with apples, watermelon, starfruit, and guava. 
Our journey also included a stop in Sihanoukville, Cambodia—a country marked by a tumultuous history over the last two centuries. Cambodia endured devastating wars, including the tragic era under Pol Pot, when over 2 million people were exterminated. Later, Vietnam’s influence shaped its borders through numerous disputes before Cambodia finally emerged as an independent nation.
While the beaches here boast white sand and swaying palm trees, our excursion took us deeper into local life. We visited a primary school where teachers earn just $300 a month, stepped inside a traditional home raised on stilts to survive seasonal flooding, and explored a Buddhist temple along with the monks’ residence. Understanding Cambodia’s 2,500-year-old Buddhist heritage, which originated in India, adds a profound layer to any visit, offering insight into the spiritual roots that shape daily life here.
After a 1/2 mile walk from the ship to the carpark, we embarked on a half-day city tour—perfect timing since hotel check-ins are usually at 2 pm. Singapore, a vibrant melting pot of over 5 million people from Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian, and diverse Asian backgrounds, offers a feast for the senses.
Our first stop was Kampong Glam, where the golden dome of the Sultan’s Mosque shines, surrounded by colorful eateries and shops selling traditional batiks, carpets, and exotic perfumes. Next, we admired the stunning southern Chinese architecture at Thian Hock Keng Temple, a masterpiece adorned with dragons and phoenixes.
In Little India, bustling markets highlighted aromatic spices, vibrant flower garlands, and the famous roti prata We also visited Tekka Centre, a lively hub where diverse communities converge.
Later, at the National Orchid Garden, over 60,000 orchids bloom, including the national flower, Miss Vanda Miss Joaquim—pure tropical beauty. After some relaxing downtime, we met up for an unforgettable Evening Hawker Tour at Maxwell Hawker Centre. Indulging in Michelin-starred street eats like Tian Tian Chicken Rice and char kway teow completed our authentic Singapore experience. The city’s tropical heat makes this easy-paced itinerary ideal!
Other Singapore Notes:
Gardens at Bay, though you could do it on your own, it's big, it's amazing, and I recommend a guide who can highlight the top spots.
How many days of cruising should I plan? My rule of thumb is to allow at least one day for every hour of flight time. For example, the flight to Hong Kong from LAX or DFW takes about 16 hours. The 14-night cruise visits 7 ports, including 2 overnight stays in Hanoi and Bangkok, with 2 days of pre-cruise time in Hong Kong and 2 days post-cruise in Singapore. Also very popular is to add the Japan cruise before this one for a total of a 24-day cruise.
Cash is King in the Markets and for Tips 💰 You’ll need cash for shopping at markets (and you will want to shop in the markets) and tipping your guides. Interestingly, in Hong Kong and Vietnam, US dollars were often accepted, but in Cambodia and Thailand, you’ll need the local currency. Finding an ATM is usually easy, so replenishing cash isn’t a problem.
Documents/ Forms: 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. The Vietnam 3 ports landing card is delivered to your room and is required each time you disembark from the ship. Both the Thailand Digital Arrival Card and the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) with an electronic health declaration are completed within 3 days before arrival at the port.
Shuttle Services to exit ports are available at select ports where required. Club Orange receives complimentary shuttle service. On this cruise, available in Halong Bay, Sihanoukville, Da Nang, and Phu My. (The cultural ambassador or travel guide onboard will help you sort out what to do onshore if you take the shuttle)
