Now obviously Marella Cruises will offer excursions in all the ports mentioned and as all the ports apart from Colombo are visited twice it gives you two bites of the cherry to maximise what you can see and do!

Now let’s start at the beginning of this cruise with Singapore. Singapore is actually a republic situated in South East Asia and comprises one main Island and over 60 Islets and has been an independent sovereign nation since 1965.

There is so much to do in Singapore, that two overnight stays will fairly make a dent in them, but top of everyone’s list should be a trip to the vibrant areas of Chinatown and India town. A good food tour is great way to see both.

Go to the top of Singapore’s most iconic hotel the Marina Bay Sands and see unparalleled views of the city, cruise port area and Gardens by the Bay which especially at night is a real spectacle. During our visits to Singapore we have done a city tour on an open top bus, which is great by day, but amazing at night.

Visit Clarke Quay, this bustling historical river quay is a fabulous place to spend the evening, full of restaurants and bars, if you get a chance try the world famous chilli crab at Jumbo’s. We have and it was delicious!

If you are more of a thrill seeker, Universal Studios is just a short taxi ride away, and not forgetting a selfie with the Singapore Merlion and a Singapore sling at the world famous Raffles Hotel!

The next stop on your Marella Cruise is Langkawi, Malaysia is an archipelago of over a hundred small islands, situated in the strait of Malacca off the Northwestern coast of mainland Malaysia. Langkawi translates to red eagle, and is also known as the Jewel of Kedah.

Langkawi has stunning beaches and crystal clear water, so if it’s a beach day you are after you are definitely in the right place. However, if the beach is not your thing then there are plenty of fabulous things to keep you entertained.

If you like to be at one with nature, then you are in for an absolute treat as Langkawi has three of the best geoparks in South East Asia containing rainforests, mangroves, waterfalls and mountains with over a hundred species of birds and animals including snakes, foxes, squirrels and lemurs.

If you’ve got a good head for heights then head for SkyCab, the world’s longest single span cable car with the world’s steepest gradient. And if that’s not enough, Langkawi is also the home of amazing food fusing numerous flavours from neighbouring countries.

Phuket will be your first taste of Thailand on your Marella Cruise. Found off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the Andaman sea, it is the largest island in Thailand, and it is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin bridge. The first thing people usually think of when they hear the name Phuket, is the crazy night life of Patong beach but it is so much more than that.

Phuket is steeped in history, so many things to do including a tour of Wat Chalong, Phuket’s biggest Buddhist temple. Take a trip to Karon view point and visiting Big Buddha is a great way to immerse yourself in the Buddhist culture that is celebrated throughout most of Southeast Asia.

Green elephant sanctuary is an absolute must for animal lovers, seeing these magnificent creatures in a natural environment. After years of cruelty from logging, sideshows and elephant rides they finally get the retirement they truly deserve. This is a no touch, observe only ethical sanctuary.

For the beach lovers there are Kata beach, Nai harn beach and Banana beach to name just a few. For the thrill seekers Phuket also has it’s very own theme and water park called Andamanda Phuket.

Penang island is next up on this Marella Cruise, situated off the western coast of mainland Malaysia in the Malacca strait. It is the fourth largest Malaysian island and has the largest island population at around 800,000.

Railway enthusiasts should head strait for Penang Hill, that dates back to the late 1700’s, making it the oldest British hill station in south east Asia. This 2000 metre funicular track takes you 833 metres or 2732 feet above sea level.

Nature lovers will want to visit Penang National Park, that boasts well over 500 species of flora and fauna and wildlife. You will find Turtles, Kingfishers, Dolphins, Great Egrets, Brahminy Kites and White Bellied Sea Eagles. There are also Wild Boar, Deer, Monitor Lizards. Long Tailed Macaques and Dusky Leaf Monkeys. The park also has a 9 beaches that are considered to be the best on the island.

Penang also has something for the adrenalin junkies too called Escape Penang featuring high rope courses, zip wires, slides and climbing towers it also has child friendly attractions too!

Port Klang is where you will be docked on the next leg of your Marella Cruise, the main gateway from the sea into Malaysia. It is the country’s largest port and is just 38 kilometres, approximately 30 miles from Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur.

This is a bustling commercial port so a trip into the capital would be highly recommended. Kuala Lumpur or as its known KL is the biggest city in Malaysia and has the fastest growing economy in southeast Asia. It is also known as the garden city of lights.

KL’s most recognisable building is the Petronas Towers, the tallest twin towers in the world. A selfie in front of the towers is a must but a trip up to the observation platform is even better.

Jalan Alor is a foodie’s paradise, with the pavements lined with seafood restaurants, bars, cafe’s and hawker stalls, serving up some of the best food you will find anywhere in the city.

Thean Hou Temple, this stunning Chinese temple is worth the trip into KL on its own, dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess Mazu, combining the three religions of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism this ornate structure also gives you spectacular views of the city too! The biggest surprise is that this temple is less than 40 years old.

For all you shopaholics Pavilion KL is an absolute must, this award winning shopping centre in Bukit Bintang has over 700 shops and themed precincts set out over 1.7 million square feet, its widely regarded as one of Asia’s best shopping experiences.

The final port of your Marella Cruise is Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo. The home to in excess of 5 million people, this is by population the biggest city in the country. This once sovereign nation has been independent since 1948.

A street tour or food tour by Tuk Tuk is great way to see the city and a great way to check out some authentic Sri Lankan street food. Every one should experience a ride in a Tuk Tuk at least once in their lifetime.

The Temple of Sri Kailawasanatham Swani Devasthanam Kovil, is as spectacular as its name is long. It’s Sri Lanka’s oldest Hindu temple and is dedicated to the gods of Ganesha and Shiva. This two century old temple is probably one of the most unusual things you will ever see!

If Asian antiquity fascinates you then a visit to one of Sri Lanka’s oldest museums is a must. Established in 1877  The Colombo Museum was opened by the British governor to Ceylon Sir William Gregory, it is packed full of fascinating artefacts from across south east Asia.

We hope you have found this information useful in helping you decide if this Marella Cruise is for you. This is a fabulous itinerary and shows you the diversity of this region of the world. We love Asia and we are pretty sure you will too

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