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PORTS

SINGAPORE

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The diverse roots of this diminutive island are reflected in its neighborhoods. Tourists are presented with sleek skyscrapers in the Financial District juxtaposed by neo-Palladian mansions along the Singapore River in the city's colonial center, as well as a vibrant mix of Victorian-style buildings, Hindu temples, Chinese teahouses, and Arabian bazaars. Many shore excursions here include stops in the Little India area and at the Asian Civilisations Museum, where you can explore Asia's artistic history and the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Other major draws are the 18 futuristic Supertrees and 420-foot-long skyway at the incredible Gardens by the Bay and the 200-acre Singapore Botanic Gardens, home to thousands of orchids-the country's national flower.

Language: English

Currency: Singapore Dollar (SGD)

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KO SAMUI, THAILAND

Ko Samui is Thailand's third largest island, located south of Bangkok in the Gulf of Thailand and surrounded by 80 smaller islands. Beaches and temples scattered around the island are the main attraction. Na Thon is now a busy tourist town with hotels, good seafood restaurants and a variety of shops. Ko Samui is an enjoyable place to spend time, with a casual, do-as-you-please atmosphere that many visitors find very attractive.

Language: Thai

Currency: Thai Baht (THB)

LAEM CHABNG, THAILAND

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The capital of Thailand fascinates tourists with its well-preserved culture, temples, and palaces. The attractions are countless in Bangkok, and ships often spend two days here to allow passengers time to explore this extravagant city. Tours stop at the Royal Palace grounds, the solid-gold Buddha and the Emerald Buddha, and the Pantheon of Kings. Another popular excursion is a trip down the Chao Phraya River to the floating markets.

Language: Thai

Currency: Thai Baht (THB)

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With a cityscape that seemingly juts straight out of the sea, Hong Kong blends sleek modernity with centuries-old charm. Visits here should start with a ride on the world's steepest funicular railway to The Peak, the highest point on the island. From various viewing platforms atop this promontory, you can see the full expanse of the city, Victoria Harbor, Kowloon Peninsula, and the mountains beyond. Snap photos in front of the emblem of Hong Kong in Golden Bauhinia Square, take in the scenery while strolling the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade and experience the dichotomy of the Aberdeen district, where skyscrapers tower over locals residing on fishing boats. The Ocean Park theme park features a wildlife exhibit with pandas, while Lantau Island, accessible via cable car, is home to a 111-foot-tall Buddha statue. At Stanley Market, bargains abound on jewelry, ornaments, and Chinese novelties.

HONG KONG

Language: English

Currency: Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

Scenic Halong Bay, with its emerald seas, rests beautifully over the Red River Delta. This region, "the Bay of the Descending Dragon," is dotted with more than 3,000 mountainous islands, each with its own unique landscape. At the western end of Halong Bay is the limestone Cat Ba Island, where Chinese and Vietnamese pirates settled during the late 19th century. Today a large section of the island is devoted to a protected national park.

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HALONG BAY, VIETNAM

Language: Vietnamese, English

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Chan May is a port in central Vietnam that is close to many great attractions. One gem that should not be missed is Hue, the former imperial city. Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945, and the Royal Palace, named the Forbidden Purple City, is just as mysterious as Beijing's Forbidden City. Chan May is also close to the major port city of Da Nang as well as one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in central Vietnam – China Beach.

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CHAN MAY, VIETNAM

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Sites in this city on the Song Cai River in Vietnam's southern Champa Kingdom include Chinatown, the 19th-century Long Son Pagoda and the ruins of Po Nagar, a seventh-century sanctuary of Chinese and Vietnamese Buddhists. From Nha Trang, several ancient Cham Towers can be visited.

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NHA TRANG, VIETNAM

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

Phu My is a cruise port located 40 miles southeast of the famed Pearl of the Far East: Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Tours take cruisers to the bustling metropolis, where they're greeted by the warm and energetic atmosphere. Strike a bargain at the Ben Thanh Market, the perfect place to snag locally made goods like Vietnamese silks and bamboo products as well as feast on authentic street eats from savory banh mi sandwiches to steaming bowls of pho. Other excursions visit the sights of the Jade Emperor Pagoda, an active shrine that touts a pond of hungry tortoises waiting for a tasty treat from temple-goers, and the 1880 Saigon Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. History lovers can journey underground to the impressive 155-mile network of Cu Chi Tunnels-complete with living spaces and booby traps-that acted as a military base for the Viet Cong guerrillas during the Vietnam War.

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HO CHI MINH CITY (PHU MY), VIETNAM

Language: Vietnamese

Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND)

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