7-night Asia cruise: Phuket to Singapore on Emerald Xara
The Island Horizons: Phuket to Singapore is a 7-night Asia cruise aboard Emerald Xara, operated by Emerald Yacht Cruises. Departing Phuket on January 17, 2029 and arriving in Singapore on January 24, 2029, the voyage visits 8 ports including Ko Muk, Langkawi, Penang. Fares start from $5,233 per person.
The island of Phuket (pronounced 'Poo-ket') is often called the Pearl of Thailand – and once you set foot on pristine beaches and see its crystalline blue water, you'll understand why. Cruise to Phuket, Thailand and start your day by diving right in – literally – at Kata Noi Beach, a smaller, more secluded spot where you can soak in the sun and sand and unwind. Then, head to the nearby Karon Viewpoint for unparalleled views of the Andaman Sea and the area's lush mountainous landscape. In town, see the Big Buddha of Phuket – the white marble likeness of the holy figure stands 45 metres tall. Then, see the elaborate temple of Wat Chalong and its Grand Pagoda, where it's believed a splinter of bone from the Buddha himself resides.
Langkawi
Langkawi comprises a group of 99 tropical islands lying off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The main island is known as Pulau Langkawi. The islands are shrouded with an intriguing heritage of myths and legends that feature ogres and gigantic birds, warriors and fairy princesses, battles and romance. Langkawi has been accorded the Geopark status by UNESCO, for its beautiful geological heritage of stunning landscapes, karsts, caves, sea-arches, stacks, glacial dropstones and fossils. With a geological history dating back 500 million years, the islands contain unique rock formations that stir the imagination and baffle the mind.
Penang
In the far northwest of Peninsular Malaysia, Penang is the most ambiguously named part of the Malaysia: depending on context, the moniker may refer to the island (Pulau Pinang in Malay, pinang being what Malays call the betel-nut palm), or the state (the island plus a blob of mainland opposite, around the town of Butterworth), or even just the state capital – properly Georgetown, waiting to be appreciated on anMSC Grand Voyages cruise excursion.
This was where the British established their first Malay port in the late eighteenth century, laying the foundations for the Georgetown of today, a fascinating blend of colonial, Indian, Malay and – especially – Chinese and Peranakan heritage. A shore excursion on your MSC Grand Voyages cruise can be the opportunity to visit this city that has seen a renaissance since its central old quarter, along with that of Melaka, were jointly made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, and makes a wonderful base to see all of Penang. Elsewhere on the 285-square-kilometre island are a coastal national park where you might see nesting turtles, a couple of unusual temples and a rather overdeveloped beach at Batu Ferringhi.
Filling a triangular cape at the island’s northeastern corner is Georgetown’s centre, its historical core of which is essentially the area south and east of Lebuh Farquhar, Lebuh Cinta (Love Lane) and Lebuh Melayu. It’s a surprisingly harmonious maze of lanes lined with shophouses in various states of repair and liberally sprinkled with religious buildings, impressive clan associations or kongsi – a blend of Chinese welfare organization, social club and temple and other monuments. Dating to 1884, Georgetown’s Botanical Gardens boast extensive lawns, a stream and little jungly waterfall, and several (rather paltry) plant houses. Weekend mornings it’s packed with groups of exercising Chinese, who storm around the circuit trail in about thirty minutes.
The island of Phuket (pronounced 'Poo-ket') is often called the Pearl of Thailand – and once you set foot on pristine beaches and see its crystalline blue water, you'll understand…
The 2028-built superyacht Emerald Xara features 64 passenger cabins, 4 dining venues, a wellness complex (gym, 3 saunas, spa with 3 massage rooms), an aft Marina Platform (for watersports), and a Marina Deck with a sundeck served by the Marina Lounge & Bar. The yacht is equipped with 3 tender boats, 2 lifeboats, 2 Zodiacs (RIBs), an infinity swimming pool, and a Pool Deck with an infinity spa pool, sunbathing area, and bar. Additional venues include the Amici Bar Lounge (main lounge), Observation Lounge (bow-facing indoor lounge), Aqua Café (outdoor bar lounge), Sky Bar (outdoor poolside bar), and a Medical Center (Infirmary/Hospital).
The vessel has 7 decks, 6 of which are passenger-accessible, with cabins located on 4 decks.
Two midship elevators (lifts) provide access between all decks.
Emerald Xara’s sisterships of the same class/design are Kaia (2026) and Raiya (2027).
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