Halong Bay in Vietnam is considered one of the world’s natural wonders, with more than 1,900 islands rising out of the waters.  Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, this is THE place to visit in Vietnam.  The stunning landscape will surely take your breath away.  Seabourn Pride sails through this magnificent bay on its Asia Capitals itinerary, providing guests with a once in a lifetime experience to view the legendary islands and rock formations.  In addition, Seabourn offers several shore excursions for a closer look at the islands, including the “Kayak Adventure in Halong Bay” tour during the yacht’s stop in Cai Lan.

The excursion provides a real up close look at the limestone rocks, caves, and grottoes and includes a scenic cruise aboard a junk through the spectacular scenery.  Some of the rock formations will play a trick on the eyes, and guests will see islands that resemble either a man’s head or a turtle or a dragon.  The junk will stop at some of the impressive caves, including the “Surprising Cave.” The massive and incredible grotto will amaze guests as they venture through the cave, and they will learn why it is so remarkable.  Also included is a delicious, traditional Vietnamese “hot pot” lunch served aboard the junk.  But the highlight of the tour is kayaking in the waters of Halong Bay.  Aboard a two-person kayak, guests will paddle through the bay, through caves and next to fishing villages and other boaters. Just be sure to steer clear of the many junks on the bay!

Seabourn Public Relations Manager Irene Lui is currently sailing on Seabourn Pride and went on the “Kayak Adventure” excursion earlier this week.  She shares several photos from her experience on the bay.

Seabourn Destination Master Peter Cox gives some insight below on why a cruise to China should be in your future…

Although China has this incredible and ancient civilization that flourished when the Greeks and Romans enjoyed theirs, and there certainly remain many sites that represent this rich heritage all over China, a coastal cruise – with the exception of the pre/post Beijing stay – will hardly bring guests near those sites that filled the Beijing Olympics media travelogues. Yet, it is China’s coast that gave birth to and nourished this awakening giant, which came out of the post-Mao dark ages only a few decades ago.

While, centuries ago, the centers of civilization flourished inland, it’s the fertile flood plains of the Yangtze River delta that fed those civilizations, thanks to the Grand Canal, this amazing lifeline, over 1100 miles long and dug at the time civilization was just dawning in Europe. It is on the coast that foreign concessions flourished after the Emperor was forced to open up to foreign trade following the Opium Wars. And, in recent times, it’s again China’s coast that has absorbed the millions of workers migrating from the interior countryside to feed the needs of an exploding industrial revolution that has stunned the world. While we will enjoy Beijing for its cultural and historical significance, we especially will explore the coast, with its glossy Western veneer, in search of a better understanding of China — a nation that will somehow affect each of us personally in the decades ahead.

Peter Cox

Peter A.M. Cox is Seabourn’s Director of Itinerary Planning and Development.  He is one of the most experienced, knowledgeable and insightful destination experts in the world. Originally from The Netherlands, Peter started his travel career as an enthusiastic amateur, hitchhiking across North Africa and traveling in Asia during the off-season from his summer jobs as a tour director in Europe. His itineraries included South America and the United States as well (he once spent three and a half months driving around the U.S. in an old Ford Falcon.)

His seagoing experience began in 1974 as a tour manager on world cruises aboard Norwegian American Line’s Sagafjord, and diverse summer itineraries on Vistafjord. Peter “came ashore” in1980 to begin researching and planning itineraries and land programs for Pearl Cruises, a pioneer of year-round Asia cruises with Pearl of Scandinavia, based in Hong Kong and San Francisco. Six years later Peter moved to cutting-edge expedition cruise operator Society Expeditions in Seattle, planning itineraries for World Discoverer and Society Explorer, the leading expedition-style vessels of the time, carrying intrepid travelers on all-inclusive adventures from the Arctic to Antarctica, the Amazon to the South Pacific and beyond. Peter joined Seabourn in its San Francisco headquarters in 1993, and has been planning the cruise itineraries and land programs since then.

Peter has agreed to provide for us some expert insights into Seabourn Pride’s cruises in Asia: why you should want to visit Asia, and what to expect when you do. We will post them in two parts, Wednesday and Friday.

The latest update from Neil Carney at the Odyssey shipyard….

As we all know Seabourn Odyssey will be named in Venice. But it is a proud moment to actually see her name spelled out on the bow. As you can see from the photo, the starboard bow now has the steel letters of her name spot welded in place. (more…)

Seabourn Guest Services Trainees

The trainees for the Guest Services Specialists who will care for Odyssey guests at Seabourn Square have arrived in Seabourn’s Miami headquarters for a six-week course designed by Barbara Poelmans. (more…)

What would Seabourn be without its renowned cuisine? A sadder, less satisfying place, that’s for sure.  For Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn’s Director of Culinary and Beverage Operations Tony Egger has been working with Corporate Executive Chef Jochem Lambrechts and Odyssey Executive Chef Graeme Cockburn to get ready for launch… (more…)

We’ve mentioned Seabourn Square a number of times here in the past. It’s a new style of service center on Seabourn Odyssey that will replace the more typical “lobby” style of reception area. Rather than separate desks for pursers’ business, tours and other travel services, Seabourn Square will be a location that feels more like a lounge. And in that lounge, there will be unobtrusive, semi-private desks where guests can find a new hospitality professional called a Guest Services Specialist. Part purser, part destination services manager, part concierge and part future cruise expert, these multi-tasking marvels will be able to assist Seabourn guests with virtually any inquiry or request on the spot.

So where does Seabourn find people who can do all that? (more…)

Adam Snitzer, Seabourn’s marketing VP, recently visited Venice to check out the plans for the festivities around the debut of Seabourn Odyssey.  Here is his report:

You know things are getting close when thoughts turn to celebrations.  With the launch of Seabourn Odyssey only four months away, the Inaugural Events Team is working at full tilt. (more…)

Last Fall, famed food critic John Mariani sailed the Mediterranean with Seabourn. His opinion?

“Seabourn was easily the best of the cruise ships I’ve ever traveled on–impeccable service, first-rate cuisine, very well-chosen wines, and passengers that reminded me of what it must have once been like to hobnob with those who sailed back in the 1950s.” (more…)

Odyssey Chief Engineer Neil Carney files another report from the “fitting out” dock at the T. Mariotti shipyards in Genoa.

“With the new year in full swing in the Mariotti shipyard, Seabourn’s on-site team now has new members. The Odyssey’s Master, Captain Karlo Buer, Staff Chief Engineer Jonny Gojostol, and Safety & Environmental Officer Kreso Volaric have recently arrived. (more…)