30-night Indian Ocean Exploration Cruise – Singapore to Cape Town

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Half Day Singapore City Tour – 4 hours - Singapore

Highlights:

• Bumboat Ride
• Merlion Park
• Drive around the Civic District
• National Orchid Garden Admission

Tour Duration: 4 hours

Tour can operate: Morning or afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, if guests can walk a short
distance to board the bumboat when wheelchair must be foldable to fit into the minivan.

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Pick up/ Drop off services to/from cruise port
• Licensed, professional English-speaking guide
• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle
• A Bottled Water

Not Included:

• Meals that are not mentioned in the above itinerary
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurants, etc. 

Good Morning, Ni Hao (Walking Tour)

Good Morning, Ni Hao (Walking Tour) 

Destination: Singapore
Tour Duration: 04 hours

Highlights:
Our guide will pick you up at the port (Marina Bay Cruise Center or Singapore Cruise Center).

Spend a wonderful morning as a local would visiting a wet market, enjoying a hawker breakfast and finishing off at a traditional heritage shop. Begin with a stroll through a local wet market, always an explosion of sights, sounds and smells! See where the term “wet market” comes from as you watch stall owners use water to wash the floors, to freshen up fruits and vegetables, and to keep fish and shellfish alive. Check out local favourites like century egg, black chicken and a wide array of spices. Continue to the Chinatown Complex, Singapore’s largest food centre and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Finally, stop by a traditional heritage shop where locals go for herbs, tonics and even pastries for a family tea time. End your tour on a sweet note with a sampling of local desserts.

Inclusions:
• Private transfer
• Port pick-up and drop-off
• Sightseeing with Local English Speaking guide
• Entrance fees
• Meals as specified (meals only, no drinks/ waters)
• Cold towels and water on sightseeing days 

Not Included:
• Other meals where not mention in the program
• Drinks/ waters on meals
• Singapore visa (Please contact your cruise for the visa details)
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Tips and Gratuities
• Other services not listed in inclusive column
 

Full Day Singapore Tour – 8 hours - Singapore

Highlights:

• Bumboat Ride
• Merlion Park
• Drive around the Civic District
• National Orchid Garden Admission
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Kampong Glam
• Arab Street
• Chinatown
• Little India
• Tekka Centre

Tour Duration: 8 hours

Tour can operate: Morning

Wheelchair Accessible:  Yes, if guests can walk a short distance to board the bumboat when wheelchair must be foldable to fit into the minivan.

Physical Activity Level:  Moderate

Inclusions:

• Pick up/ Drop off services to/from cruise port
• Licensed, professional English-speaking guide
• Transportation by deluxe, air-conditioned vehicle
• Bottled Water

Not Included:

• Meals that are not mentioned in the above itinerary
• Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities.
• Tips or gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, hotel, restaurants, etc.

Singapore City Tour (4 hours)

Half-day tour to Singapore City

Highlights

• Botanical Gardens
• Chinatown
• Bum Boat ride - 30-minute ride (share-basis)
• Merlion Park & Little India

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

Not Included

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel Insurance
• Any Visa

Singapore Sentosa Tour (4 hours)

Half-day tour to Singapore - Sentosa

Highlights

• Sentosa Resort
• Sentosa Merlion Tower
• SEA Aquarium

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

 
 

Singapore Night Safari Tour (4 hours)

Evening Singapore Safari Tour

Highlights

• 1815 hrs   Singapore Night Safari
• 2215 hrs  Return to hotel

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Ethnic Neighbourhood Tour (4 hours)

Half Day Tour to Singapore Ethnic Neighbourhood

Highlights

• Kampong Glam
• Bugis Village
• Trishaw ride (2 persons to 1 Trishaw)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Foodie Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Foodie

Highlights

• Maxwell Hawker Centre or Lau Pat Sat (either one of the above venue depending availability)
• Tea Chapter

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Flyer & Gardens By The Bay (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Flyer & Gardens By The Bay

Highlights

• Singapore Flyer - a 35 minutes ride (share-basis)
• Gardens by the Bay (Flower Dome and Cloud Forest)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Toa Payoh Hub Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Singapore Toa Payoh Hub

Highlights

• Toa Payoh (a first generation New Town built in the late 1960s)
• Coffee break in a local coffee shop
• Take a subway for a 5 minutes drive to Bishan (a second generation New Town, designed and built in the early 1990's)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore Crazy Rich Asians Movie Locations Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Crazy Rich Asians Movie Locations in Singapore

Highlights

• Bukit Pasoh
• Newton Food Centre
• Chijmes
• Raffles Hotel

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Mercedes Benz E200) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water & entrance fees during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa 

Singapore - Gardens By The Bay (3.5 Hours)

Highlights:

• Enter one of the "Top 10 Indoor Gardens of the World" - a futuristic area of garden artistry and horticulture spread over 101 hectares.
• In the Flower Dome we can marvel at the world's largest glass greenhouse, and wander amongst baobabs, thousand-year-old olive trees, a changing flower field display and more.
• In the Cloud Forest we will enter a mysterious world veiled in mist, as we come face to face with the 35-metre tall indoor waterfall and explore seven discovery zones.

Tour Duration:      3.5 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light

Inclusions:

• English-speaking guide.
• Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
• 1 complimentary bottle of drinking water and 1 cold towel per person per half day tour/ 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person per full day tour.
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary.

Not Included:

• Visa fees
• Lunch
• Drinks
• Personal expenses

Singapore - Heartlands Tour (3.5 Hours)

Highlights:

• Visit Toa Payoh New Town. This is the first town to be built by the Housing Development Board, the government arm in charge of public housing in Singapore.
• Explore a typical self-sufficient town complete with public vs private housing, public transport, public amenities as well as industrial and commercial areas.
• Visit the public recreation areas and view a typical show flat for a public housing building. Visits to a wet market and hawker centre will give us an even deeper glimpse into local life. (Showflat is not open on Sundays and public holidays)

Tour Duration: 3.5 Hours
Tour can operate: Morning (Suggested starting time: 09h00 or 14h00)
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Local English Speaking Guide
• Ground transportation in private A/C vehicle.
• 2 bottles of water and 2 cold towels per person
• Sightseeing including admission fees according to itinerary. 

Not Included:

• Personal Expenses, Tipping

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Kuala Lumpur Orientation Tour – 6 hours - Kuala Lumpur

Highlights:

• Petronas Twin Tower (photo stop)
• Handicraft Centre
• Cocoa Boutique
• King’s Palace (photo stop)
• Sultan Abdul Samad Building
• National Monument
• National Museum (exclude entrance fee)
• National Mosque (photo stop)

Tour Duration: 6 hours

Tour can operate: Morning and afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Return transfer from/to the port with private car and English speaking guide
• Entrance Fee

Not Included:

• Any accommodations, meals, cruise/hotel arrangements
• Any sightseeing or meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Miscellaneous charges

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Langkawi Island Tour – 5 hours - Langkawi

Highlights:

• Local Cottage Industry (Batik Painting)
• Makam Mahsuri
• Cable Car / Crocodile Farm
• Rice Garden

NOTE: Cable car ride is depending on the weather and wind condition on that particular day if the weather is not permitted then we will reroute to Crocodile Farm

Tour Duration: 5 hours

Tour can operate: Morning and afternoon

Wheelchair Accessible: No

Physical Activity Level: Moderate

Inclusions:

• Return transfer from/ to the port with private car and English speaking guide

Not Included:

• Entrance fee, cable car ticket
• Any accommodations, meals, cruise/hotel arrangements
• Any sightseeing or meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Miscellaneous charges

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

At your Leisure in Phuket (Car & Driver Only)

Enjoy a private chauffeur-driven luxury sedan with driver for “At Your Leisure” touring. You decide where you want to go and what you want to see.

Inclusions: 
• Transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide 
• Local bottled water

Exclusions: 
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers

Stories of Phuket Old Town - 4 hours

Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences. 

Visit Chin Pracha, one of the oldest houses on the island built in 1904. Iconic films such as “Indiana Jones,”  “Heaven & Earth” and many others, were filmed in this house.

Continue driving to a viewpoint at the top of Rang Hill, which offers scenic views over Phuket Town. Then head to Wat Chalong, one of the island’s most famous temples. Learn a bit about Buddhist beliefs and customs and hear the interesting story of the gilt statues of the monk-hero Luang Pho Chaem and his aid Luang Pho Chuang. After exploring the temple, return to the ship.

Inclusions: 
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water

Exclusions: 
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages

Duration: 4 hours   

Phuket Old Town and Scenery - 8 hours

Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences. 

Visit Chin Pracha, one of the oldest houses on the island built in 1904. Iconic films such as “Indiana Jones,”  “Heaven & Earth” and many others, were filmed in this house.

Continue to Saphan Hin, a recreational park that houses a tin mining monument dedicated to Australian Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the man who brought the first dredge to Phuket in 1909. Then visit the Chinese shrine in the park to discover a traditional place of worship.

Then head to Wat Chalong, one of the island’s most famous temples. Learn a bit about Buddhist beliefs and customs and hear the interesting story of the gilt statues of the monk-hero Luang Pho Chaem and his aid Luang Pho Chuang. 

Finally, make a stop at Laem Phromthep, a stunning coastal viewpiont that offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Transfer back to the ship.

Inclusions: 
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water

Exclusions: 
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages

Duration: 8 hours   

Life of Old Phuket - 4 hours

Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences. 

Walk along the old streets of town and feel the charm of lives lived a century ago around Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads. Visit Thai Hau Museum to learn more about the history of the island.

Continue to a Chinese shrine set in a peaceful spot along Phang Nga Road. Despite being in the center of town, the shrine remains unaffected by the hustle and bustle. Then drive to a viewpoint at the top of Rang Hill to admire scenic views over Phuket Town before returning to the ship. 

Inclusions: 
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water

Exclusions: 
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages

Duration: 4 hours   

Phuket Rubber Plantation, Gibbons and Old Town - 8 hours

Meet your professional local guide to explore some of the beautiful natural scenery and cultural highlights of Phuket. Visit a rubber plantation to learn about the arduous work of collecting sap and transforming it into sheets of rubber. Then continue to Bang Pae waterfall to admire the tropical greenery and observe the wildlife at the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
 
Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences. 
 
You may stop for lunch on your own account at Blue Elephant restaurant, serving traditional Thai cuisine. After lunch, stop by to see the Big Buddha temple and enjoy the scenic views before returning to the ship.

Optional Costs:
• Lunch at Blue Elephant including two units of drinks (water, juice, soft drink)

Inclusions: 
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water

Exclusions: 
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages

Duration: 8 hours   

Phuket Port

Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.
Limited area: Phuket
Duration:        Within 4 hours OR within 8 hours
Meals:       None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
·   Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide ·   Cold towels and water on car ·   Dock permit ·   Tips & gratuities	·   Thailand visa (US/ CA Passport holders do not need visa to Thailand) ·   Accommodation with daily breakfast ·   Entrance fees ·   All meals ·   All flights ·   Personal expenses ·   Travel insurance ·   Other services not listed in inclusive column

 

Phuket Town Sightseeing

Disembark the ship and meet your guide. Depart on a drive along the Phuket coastline past Karon Beach and Kata Beach to a viewpoint where you can see Phuket’s three most beautiful beaches. Continue to Promthep Cape at the southernmost point of Phuket for its best viewpoint of the coastline. Drive by Rawai Beach and visit Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most revered temple, built at the beginning of the 19^th century. Continue on to Nakkerd Hill to see one of the island’s iconic landmarks, the 45m (147ft) tall Big Buddha, impressively layered with beautiful Burmese white jade marble. After enjoying a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant by the sea (non-alcoholic drink included), stop at a cashew factory to see how the nuts are grown and processed. Drive back to Old Phuket to see the charming Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang and Debuk Roads, reflecting the architecture of people who came to Phuket centuries ago for its tin mining industry. Finally, visit Sapanhin, a beautiful public park by the sea popular with local families on weekends. Stop by the nearby Chinese shrine before returning to the port and your ship.
NOTES:

• Suggested departure time: 11:00.
• Tour duration: 07 hours.
• Timing may be changed without prior notice, depending on local conditions such as weather, traffic and / or other conditions.

Meals:       None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
 

Inclusive of:	Non-inclusive of:
·   Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide ·   Cold towels and water on car ·   Dock permit ·   Tips & gratuities	·   Thailand visa (US/ CA Passport holders do not need visa to Thailand) ·   Accommodation with daily breakfast ·   Entrance fees ·   All meals ·   All flights ·   Personal expenses ·   Travel insurance ·   Other services not listed in inclusive column

 

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Cochin: Highlights - 7.5 hours

9AM- 10:30AM 
Disembark the ship drive for 45 minutes to Tripunithura and visit the Hill Palace which was the official residence of the Cochin Royal family built in 1865. The palace complex consists of 49 buildings in the traditional architectural style of Kerala and in surrounded by 52 acres of terraced land with a deer park. A fully fledged ethno-archaeological museum and Kerala's first ever heritage Museum are the main attractions. Displayed inside are 19^th century paintings, murals sculptures in stone and plaster of Paris, manuscripts, inscriptions and coins belonging to the royal family.

Cooking demonstration and lunch can be arranged at a local home ( on direct payment basis)

2PM- 4PM     

In the afternoon, before returning to the ship which is towards the Silk Route trading post of Fort Cochin, these days a `Heritage Zone’. Beginning with the Chinese and Arabs in the 13^th century, the Portuguese arrived in 1500 A.D. followed by the domination of the Dutch and British. See St. Francis Church originally built in 1510 and the first to reflect European influenced tradition. Portuguese hero Vasco Da Gama died on the site and was buried in the cemetery. 

At Matancherry, there’s the Dutch Palace built in 1557 by the Portuguese as a gift for the Maharaja of Cochin in exchange for trading rights. The Palace houses royal costumes, palanquins, furniture and weapons but its striking feature is a series of murals painted on wooden walls. Later, stop by the Pardesi synagogue, at the heart of what is locally called Jew town. (Closed for a visit on Fridays and Saturday)

4PM - 4:30PM   Thereafter return to the pier. 

Added Value: 

•       Great introduction to Cochin city.
•       The Tour covers the main highlights of the city i.e Depart the Fort Cochin, St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry, the Dutch Palace and later Jew Street (or Spice Street) in Jew Town.    
•  

- Tour Duration: 7 hours
- Tour can operate : Morning
- Physical activity level : Moderate
- Wheelchair Accessible : No

Closing dates : Fridays - Dutch Palace in Mattancherry  and Fridays & Saturdays – Jewish  Synagogue.     

Inclusions:

- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle 
- Services of a local English speaking guide.
- All the entrance fees and camera fees.
- Credit card and bank charges.
- All the prevailing taxes.  

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Mangalore, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

Meet at the Port of New Mangalore
 Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure)

HALF DAY TOUR: 4 hrs

You will disembark the ship and will be met by your personal guide at the pier.
 

You will begin at the tile roofed low structure of the 10^th century Mangaladevi Temple, the temple named after the a Malabar Princess, Mangala Devi who gave her name to the city; the 17^th century Manjunath Temple has some superb bronze images of the Buddha dating to the 10^th and 11^th century, indicating that this site was previously a Buddhist temple.  You will also stop at St. Aloysius Church dating from 1899, situated on Lighthouse Hill, is an architectural gem.  The walls have remarkable 19^th century frescoes painted by the Italian trained Jesuit priest, Moscheni, which covers the walls and ceilings in a profusion of scenes.  The town has a sizable Roman Catholic population. 
 

Virtually all the famous buildings in Mangalore are shrines. The Mangladevi temple and its deity reputedly gave Mangalore its name. The four-armed idol in the temple is one of the most revered in India.

Mangalore is the Cashew growing area of Karnataka and on your way back to the ship you will stop at a Cashew Factory to watch the cleaning, sorting and packing process. 

You will return to the ship 

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide,Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee,Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified) Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted seperately

Mangalore - 4 hours

Mangalore is a typical South Indian experience with its quaint mix of old and new. From the pier, we drive towards the city center with our first stop at the Cashew nut processing factory for which the town is renowned. We then explore its cosmopolitan nature visiting the Gokarnath Temple belonging to the industrious Billora community offering an insight into the South Indian form of worship. Its religious hustle and bustle gets contrasted in the chapel of St. Aloysius on Lighthouse hill which has important frescoes depicting the life of Christ by Italian masters.

Added Value: -

-Great introduction to Mangalore city a typically small Indian town and very different from other Indian ports. The mix of the characters in this tour makes for a truly unique experience.

- The Tour covers the main highlights of the city i.e the Achal Cashew processing plant, the Gokarnath Temple, St. Aloysius Chapel etc..

Recommended:

Comfortable footwear, hats and sun block for protection against the sun. Footwear to be removed at the temple & no skimpy dress.

- Tour Duration: 4 hours

- Tour can operate : Morning

- Physical activity level : Moderate

- Wheelchair Accessible : No
- Please note: Cashew factory is closed on Sundays and Public holidays.

Inclusions:

- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle

- Services of a local English speaking guide.

- All the entrance fees and camera fees.

- Credit card and bank charges.

- All the prevailing taxes.

Mangalore: Karkala and Moorbidri - 4.5 hours

A statue rising 12.6 meters and engraved from a single stone rises at a foot of a hill in Karkala erected in 1432 alongside a temple in honor of the great prince Bahubali or “the one with strong shoulders”. Bahubali fought a fierce battle with his brother for a throne but having succeeded then turned to meditation and prayer for 12 long years. Soon creepers started winding around him which gets depicted in this gigantic statue.
 

At Moodbidri, we see another masterpiece of the industrious Jain community which became on offshoot of Hinduism. They called them Basidas or residence of god.

Commissioned by king Devaraja Woodeyar in 1430 AD the temple has a thousand pillars no two of which are alike.

Interspersed between these two highlights is the Soan’s Farm started by the Swiss – German Basel Missionary society in 1926. Alfred Soans made innovative changes to the dry laterite soil and with inter cropping and better water management farmed superior qualities of upland rice, coconut, arecanut, banana, chillies, ginger, tapioca, mango and spices like clove, pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom. Most famous are his Soan’s pineapples which we get to sample.

Added Value:

The imposing statute and the temple are great sights. The visit to the Soans horticultural Farm is a highlight of this tour. In the past, guests have thoroughly enjoyed this excursion.

Recommended: Comfortable footwear, hats and sun block for protection against the sun. Footwear to be removed at the temple & no skimpy dress. It may be advisable to carry a pair of socks for the temple walk.

- Tour Duration: 4 ½ hours

- Tour can operate : Morning
- Physical activity level : High
- Wheelchair Accessible : No

Please note the climb involves 212 steps to reach the statue atop the hilllock. Comfortable footwear, hats and sun block for protection against the sun. Footwear to be removed & advisable to carry a pair of socks.

 

Inclusions:

- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle - Services of a local English speaking guide.

- All the entrance fees and camera fees.

- Light refreshments at Soan Farms.

- Credit card and bank charges.

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

FULL DAY FLAVORS OF GOA

Goa is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast.
 
Goa is India’s smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its western coast. Flavours
 
Depart the pier and head towards Old Goa which stands testimony not only to the reality of the Portuguese rule in the country, but also to the grandeur and wealth of the city during their reign.
 
Your first visit of the day will be to the St. Cajetan Church which was modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome and built of laterite blocks and lime plastered. The façade, having two towers on either side to serve as a belfry, has Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches, which keep the statues of the apostles. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.
 
Continuing, the next stop will be at the Basilica of Bom Jesus which was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century and is one of the most important churches in Goa. The embalmed body of St. Frances Xavier is enshrined here in a marble mausoleum, which is exposed to the public once every ten years. The last date this happened was in December 2014.
 
Your final visit will be to the Panjim ‘Fontainhas’ area where the walking tour will begin. The Fontainhas is the Latin Quarter built by the Portuguese and we will be able to view from the outside the church and the old villas. Later, drive through Panjim, the capital city passing through streets lined with old villas that are characteristic of Portuguese Goa.
 
Later proceed for Trpical Plantation for visit and lunch. Spices are an ever present part of Indian life - they are essential in flavoring the distinctive regional cuisines and if you keep your eyes open you will see their bright colors reflected in the ladies' saris, and decorative textiles everywhere.
 
To find out where they come from, pay a most enjoyable visit to a spice plantation. Take a guided walk through the trees see what you can identify, smell, taste, and learn about the myriad spices for which India is renowned. And what place could be more perfect for a meal? Enjoy lunch here where everything is fresh and fragrant. Don't worry, the simple, tasty food will be spiced for Western tastes, and the preparation of each will be explained. After lunch you will return to the port and your ship.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE & TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 - 01h30	Depart the pier for an Old Goa Churches		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
01h30 - 02h30	Arrive in Old Goa and visit Basilica of Bom Jesus Church & St. Cajetan Church	700 meters / Flat / 04 steps
02h30 - 03h00	Depart for Panjim Latin Quarters
03h00 - 03h20	Visit around the Latin Quarters	400 meters / Flat / 15 optional steps
03h20 - 04h20	Drive to Tropical Plantation
04h20 - 05h50	Visit and lunch at Plantation
05h50 - 07h00	Return to pier

 
 

HALF DAY HIGHLIGHTS OF GOA

Proceed for St. Cajetan Church which was modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome and built of laterite blocks and lime plastered. The façade, having two towers on either side to serve as a belfry, has Corinthian columns and pilasters supporting a pediment, and four niches, which keep the statues of the apostles. Hidden beneath the church is a crypt where the embalmed bodies of Portuguese governors were kept in lead coffins before they were shipped back to Lisbon. Forgotten for a time, the last batch was removed only in 1992.
 
Continuing, the next stop will be at the Basilica of Bom Jesus which was built by the Jesuits in the 16th century and is one of the most important churches in Goa. The embalmed body of St. Frances Xavier is enshrined here in a marble mausoleum, which is exposed to the public once every ten years. The last date this happened was in December 2014. Continue with a short walk to the Se, or St Catherine’s Cathedral, which was commissioned to be "a grandiose church worthy of the wealth, power and fame of the Portuguese who dominated the seas from the Atlantic to the Pacific." With its exterior Tuscan design it is still larger than any other church in Portugal and said to be the largest in Asia. 
 
Next visit will be to the Panjim ‘Fontainhas’ area where the walking tour will begin. The Fontainhas is the Latin Quarter built by the Portuguese and we will be able to view from the outside the church and the old villas. Later, drive through Panjim, the capital city passing through streets lined with old villas that are characteristic of Portuguese Goa.
 
Return to pier.
 

TIMING	ITINERARY & POINTS OF INTEREST	DISTANCE & TERRAIN	W/C FRIENDLY
00h00 – 01h00	Drive to Old Goa Churches		This tour is not suitable for guests in wheelchairs; and those with mobility issues
01h00 – 02h30	Visit Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral Church and St. Cajethan Church	350 meters / Flat / 6 steps
02h30 – 03h15	Proceed for Panjim City, visit Latin quarter	450 meters / Flat  steps
03h15 – 04h15	Return to the pier

 

Goa, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

Meet at the Port of Marmugao, Goa 
(Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure)

HALF DAY TOUR: 4HRS

Disembark from the ship and meet your personal guide on the pier.
 

Today the tour takes you Old Goa and start with a visit to the Basilica Bom Jesus which houses the remains of St Francis Xavier.  His tomb was the gift of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, and was carved by the Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista.  Around the silver casket are 32 plaques decorated with scenes from the saint’s life.  Nearby on “Holy Hill” is the Convent of St Cajetan, dedicated to St Catherine, on whose day Goa was recaptured.  Inside are catacombs with the embalmed bodies of Portuguese viceroys and archbishops.  Along the way, you pass several other churches you may like to visit – Se Cathedral, the largest of the churches in Old Goa and the Chapel of our Lady of the Rosary built in 1526 and a synthesis of Iberian, Hindu and Moslem styles.  At the Church and Convent of St Francis of Assisi is an interesting archeological Museum and Portrait Gallery.   In Panaji you can visit the Mahalaxmi Temple and walk in Goa’s Latin quarters – Fontainhas

You will be dropped at the pier late in the afternoon.

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide,Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee,Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified) Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted seperately

Goa: Highlights - 5 hours

Lush and lovely Goa was created as a place for relaxation where Sun worship is a cult form. Adventure seekers can go hunting for beaches and tiny villages. There are colorful local markets, trips to Spice farms and a countryside of Portuguese and Indian culture, with warm friendly people. In quiet and complete contrast to other ports and places on the Indian sub-continent, Goa offers a quaint reflection of its colonial Portuguese past well assimilated with its democratic Indian present.

We drive to visit `Old Goa’ and the Basilica of Bom Jesus famous throughout the Catholic world. Amongst other religious edifices still standing in Old Goa is the `Se Cathedral”, the largest church in Asia, but also the site of the “Golden Bell” which announced the death – knell of burning heretics during the inquisition.

Goa’s capital, Panaji (formerly Panjim) spread along the south bank of the wide Mandovi River, in a charming sprawl of red-roofed houses, sunny squares and gardens of bougainvillea and frangipani. The newly built Nehru Bridge spans the river giving easy access to the beaches along the ocean shore to the north.

Visit Panjim town which has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere especially along the leafy avenues of its old section, retaining its Portuguese style winding streets and old houses with red tiled roofs and overhanging balconies. The streets have taverns offering Goan cuisine and “Feni” (cashew nut liquor) and bakeries serving `Bebinca’, the delicious local cake. Many residents still speak Portuguese.

Overlooking `Largo de Igreja’ or Church Square is the Church of Immaculate Conception with its Baroque façade, probably the town’s most important landmark. In 1541 Portuguese sailors began visiting this church to offer thanksgiving prayers after their long and treacherous voyage from Lisbon.

Later, explore the market before driving back to the ship.

- Tour Duration: 5 hours
- Tour can operate : Morning
- Physical activity level : Moderate
- Wheelchair Accessible : No

Inclusions:

- Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle

- Services of a local English speaking guide.

- All the entrance fees and camera fees.

- Credit card and bank charges.

- All the prevailing taxes.

Goa, Shore Excursion - 6 hours

You will be met at the pier (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure). Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will set of to explore some of the important sights of Goa. 
 
Start your tour with a visit to the World Heritage-listed Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the remains of St. Francis Xavier. The remains are entombed in a silver casket, which is kept in a mausoleum carved by the Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista. Continue on to Se Cathedral, a magnificent 16th-century monument and the largest church in Goa. Finally, stop at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi, built in the 17th century which houses an interesting archeological Museum and Portrait Gallery. Stop for lunch at a tropical spice plantation after which, you will have time to stroll around the grounds and explore the butterfly garden in the premises.
 
You will also visit the Shri Manguesh Temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the 400-year-old Shri Manguesh Temple is considered to be one of the most beautiful temples in Goa, and features a 7-story Deepa Stambha (decorative lamp tower) at the gates of the temple complex. You will then visit Shree Shantadurga Temple, located in the hills and noted for its statue of the Hindu goddess Durga. 

You will then return to the port area. 
 

Inclusions: Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, private guide, complimentary soft beverages and bottled water in the car, monument entrance and still camera fee, meet and assist at all airports and hotels, porterage at airports, all current applicable taxes.

Exclusions: Expenses of any personal nature (laundry, telephone calls etc, unless specified), tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), meals (unless specified) any insurance or Visa, any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, air fare is quoted separately.

*Terms and conditions apply

Optional Private Excursions

Avoid the crowds and hustle and bustle associated with a group activity. For a memorable trip ashore, we invite you to consider a private shore excursion. Enjoy the undivided attention of your own driver/guide and the flexibility of experiencing the aspects of the local culture that most interest you. Below are just some samples of the private shore excursions we can arrange for you. Let us personalize your experience!

Cape Town City Tour - Half Day

Your guide will discuss the city's abundance of sightseeing possibilities and will tailor make your day's activities according to your individual interests and preferences. This affords you the advantage of total flexibility while still maintaining the expertise of a qualified guide. We first make our way to the to the lower cable car station on the slopes of Table Mountain, where (weather permitting) we make the short and comfortable ascent to the top of the mountain by cable car. The panoramic view of the sea and city from the summit is magnificent. Then begin the tour of historic Cape Town. Whether you are interested in visiting the traditional tourist attractions, indulging in a personal passion, or simply exploring the 'Mother City' as a local, Cape Town has more than enough diversity to cater to your personal preference.

Your half day tour includes two entrance fees as well as the return Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket. After your tour, you will be dropped off at your hotel.

Three Hour Cruise

The Inala Antares proudly awaits you in Cape Town, ready to take you first class on a journey of a lifetime. With its Italian styling, trendy interiors, quality construction techniques and performance it has been specially designed to meet your tastes and requirements.

Your day will start with a luxury transfer from your hotel providing you with a concierge service to help you orchestrate the perfect few hours on board the Inala.
Experience an exquisite Cape Town sunset with Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles as a backdrop as you cruise in pure luxury on board (weather depending on the day) otherwise in Table Bay towards the Bloubergstrand beaches.

The Inala is a 57ft Princess design, luxury motor yacht, moored in front of the Cape Grace Hotel V&A Waterfront. Your three hour cruise includes the famous Clifton beaches, with panoramic views of Table Mountain and the 12 Apostles in elegance and luxury. Clifton bay is on the way to Hout Bay and is the ideal place to spend a few hours at on board, enjoying the sun and a swim in the cool water.

Whale Watching Tour - Full Day

Your Whale watching excursion will either be done in Hermanus or Gansbaai, based on the best sightings & weather conditions over your period of travel.

The whale watching trips can also afford you the possibility to see: Great white sharks, Bryde's whales, Humpback whales, Southern giant petrels, Cape gannets and Dolphins, making these whale watching trips not just magical but rewarding too, and are sure to capture everyone's imagination.

Your return to shore will depend on the sightings for the day, which may result in a late lunch. Your guide will discuss the best restaurant options with you based on your preference and logistics. An A la Carte lunch including soft drinks & non-premium brand drinks and house wines is included in your tour.

Time permitting you may have the opportunity to walk along the coastal paths in Herma-nus where during whale season (mid June to mid November) whales may be seen playing close to the shore. You will be dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Cape Point Sidecar Tour - Full Day

Your guide will discuss your individual interests and preferences and tailor make the day's routing and sightings accordingly. All sidecars are decommissioned military bikes used during World War II, which has been restored and fully refurbished.

You will be supplied with retro leather jackets, helmets, goggles as well as a complimentary bandana. Depending on your interests you will be visiting all the iconic attractions such as Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Chapmans Peak Drive, Cape of Good Hope (including the Cape Point Funicular ticket) and the Boulders Penguin Colony.

Stop for lunch at a popular local restaurant including local wine and refreshments. Top off the day with a scenic coastal drive back to your hotel. After your day's touring, you will be dropped off at your hotel for your evening at leisure.