Philippines And Vietnam: New Discoveries In Southeast Asia
Philippines And Vietnam: New Discoveries In Southeast Asia
Cruise overview
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About Koror
About Koror
About Bohol
About Ho Chi Minh City
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.
About Ho Chi Minh City
Romantically referred to by the French as the Pearl of the Orient, Ho Chi Minh City today is a super-charged city of sensory overload. Motorbikes zoom day and night along the wide boulevards, through the narrow back alleys and past vendors pushing handcarts hawking goods of all descriptions. Still called Saigon by most residents, this is Vietnam's largest city and the engine driving the country's current economic resurgence, but despite its frenetic pace, it's a friendlier place than Hanoi and locals will tell you the food—simple, tasty, and incorporating many fresh herbs—is infinitely better than in the capital.This is a city full of surprises. The madness of the city's traffic—witness the oddball things that are transported on the back of motorcycles—is countered by tranquil pagodas, peaceful parks, quirky coffee shops, and whole neighborhoods hidden down tiny alleyways, although some of these quiet spots can be difficult to track down. Life in Ho Chi Minh City is lived in public: on the back of motorcycles, on the sidewalks, and in the parks. Even when its residents are at home, they're still on display. With many living rooms opening onto the street, grandmothers napping, babies being rocked, and food being prepared, are all in full view of passersby.Icons of the past endure in the midst of the city’s headlong rush into capitalism. The Hotel Continental, immortalized in Graham Greene's The Quiet American, continues to stand on the corner of old Indochina's most famous thoroughfare, the rue Catinat, known to American G.I.s during the Vietnam War as Tu Do (Freedom) Street and renamed Dong Khoi (Uprising) Street by the Communists. The city still has its ornate opera house and its old French city hall, the Hôtel de Ville. The broad colonial boulevards leading to the Saigon River and the gracious stucco villas are other remnants of the French colonial presence. Grisly reminders of the more recent past can be seen at the city's war-related museums. Residents, however, prefer to look forward rather than back and are often perplexed by tourists' fascination with a war that ended 40 years ago.The Chinese influence on the country is still very much in evidence in the Cholon district, the city's Chinatown, but the modern office towers and international hotels that mark the skyline symbolize Vietnam's fixation on the future.
About Da Nang
Da Nang is the third largest city in Vietnam with the land area of 1283 square kilometre and the population of approximately 1million people. Da Nang is growing into one of the most organized urban area, with attractive beach front villas on the one side and Han River flowing on the other. Of the few attractions that belong to the city, Museum of Cham stands out with its rich collection of Cham artefacts. For those who crave for more outdoors activities, My Khe beach is a good place to spend time, either by yourself or with your loved ones. Da Nang is in close proximity to Hue- 3 hours North and Hoi An- 30 minutes south, which makes it a perfect stop point for those who need a break from touristy areas. Hue was once the Royal Capital of Viet Nam. The city represents the outstanding demonstration of the power of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire, including a complex of monuments, tombs and pagodas that attract tourists coming from all over the world. Hoi An has to this days well preserved its most sacred treasure, the centuries-old architecture. The town used to harbour foreign traders back in the 17-18th, and once is an important heavily-frequented trading port in Southeast Asia.
About Hai Phong
About Hai Phong
About Ha Long Bay
A visit to the north is not complete without a trip to Halong Bay, where placid waters give way to more than 3,000 limestone karsts and wind-sculpted limestone formations that jut from foggy lagoons. Dotting the bay are tiny islands bordered by white sandy coves and hidden caves, adding to the majestic landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Adding to this naturalist’s dream is the biodiversity of islets, grottos, and Cat Ba Island National Park. The bay, however, shows tourism’s impact: the clearing of mangrove forests to make way for jetties and piers, marine life threatened by game fishing, and garbage from passenger boats and fishing villages washed up on the shores.Beyond its geological uniqueness are activities like hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, or exploring one of the many floating villages where fishermen bring in their daily catch. The downside to all this allure is the large number of unlicensed boats it draws to the bay each day.Boat trips out onto the bay are the main tourism stock in trade farther north, but a more multifaceted side of the area can be experienced at Cat Ba Island. The largest island in Halong Bay, Cat Ba is very much its own entity. Its national park offers incredible biodiversity, with more than a thousand species of plants having been recorded here. Animal life is slightly thinner on the ground, but alert visitors may spy inhabitants such as the endangered golden-headed langur, wild boar, deer, civets, and several species of squirrel. Trekking through the wilderness is a highlight with a number of fascinating trails to follow.Cat Ba Island has also become a firm favorite with the adventure sports set. Indeed, along with Railay Beach in Thailand, it is recognized as one of the top spots in the region for rock climbing. Other outdoor pursuits include sailing and kayaking around the karsts. Although Halong Bay has arguably been tainted by over-exposure, Bai Tu Long Bay farther east toward China, retains all the majesty of Vietnam’s premier bucket-list natural attraction but sees a fraction of the traffic of its immediate neighbor to the west. Here, visitors will find islands of substantial size with deserted beaches and untamed jungle. Halong Bay's 3,000 islands of dolomite and limestone cover a 1,500-square-km (580-square-mile) area, extending across the Gulf of Tonkin nearly to the Chinese border. According to legend, this breathtaking land- and seascape was formed by a giant dragon that came barreling out of the mountains toward the ocean—hence the name (Halong translates into "descent of the dragon"). Geologists are more likely to attribute the formations to sedimentary limestone that formed here between 300 and 500 million years ago, in the Paleozoic Era. Over millions of years water receded and exposed the limestone to wind, rain, and tidal erosion.Today the limestone formations are exposed to hordes of tourists—but don't let that discourage you. Hundreds of fishing trawlers and tour boats share space on these crystal waters, yet there seems to be room for everyone. Most people use the main population center, Halong City, as a base from which to venture into the bay. Although it's now officially one municipality, Halong City was, until 1996, two separate towns: Bai Chay is now Halong City West, where Halong Road winds its way around the coast and past the lifeless central beach; Hon Gai is the grimier Halong City East, where a coal transportation depot dominates the center of town and covers nearby roads and buildings with a sooty film. Locals still refer to the towns by their old names, but they are now inexorably lassoed together by a bridge. Boat trips through Halong Bay are the main attraction. Little of the majesty of this region can be found in the city, so head out onto the water and start exploring. Countless 10- and 30-foot fishing boats have been converted into Halong Bay's formidable tourist-boat fleet. Hotels or travel agencies in Halong City or Hanoi can arrange boat trips for you (often they are part of organized tours from Hanoi). It is still possible to go down to the wharf and bargain yourself onto a boat for the day, but you are likely to be charged (sometimes significantly) more than you would pay for a prebooked tour, so this is not advised. Self-sufficient travelers have fallen victim to the old bait-and-switch: they've arranged a next-day boat tour with local fishermen, only to be told in no uncertain terms the following morning that they could not board their chosen boat, but they could take a different one for quite a bit more money. You may have no choice in the end. Usually travel agencies, however, have their tried-and-true favorites.
About Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Island skyline, with its ever-growing number of skyscrapers, speaks to ambition and money. Paris, London, even New York were centuries in the making, while Hong Kong's towers, bright lights, and glitzy shopping emporia weren't yet part of the urban scene when many of the young investment bankers who fuel one of the world's leading financial centers were born. Commerce is concentrated in the glittering high-rises of Central, tucked between Victoria Harbor and forested peaks on Hong Kong Island's north shore. While it's easy to think all the bright lights are the sum of today's Hong Kong, you need only walk or board a tram for the short jaunt west into Western to discover a side of Hong Kong that is more traditionally Chinese but no less high-energy. You'll discover the real Hong Kong to the east of Central, too, in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, and beyond. Amid the residential towers are restaurants, shopping malls, bars, convention centers, a nice smattering of museums, and—depending on fate and the horse you wager on—one of Hong Kong's luckiest or unluckiest spots, the Happy Valley Racecourse. Kowloon sprawls across a generous swath of the Chinese mainland across Victoria Harbour from Central. Tsim Sha Tsui, at the tip of Kowloon peninsula, is packed with glitzy shops, first-rate museums, and eye-popping views of the skyline across the water. Just to the north are the teeming market streets of Mong Kok and in the dense residential neighborhoods beyond, two of Hong Kong's most enchanting spiritual sights, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Chi Lin Nunnery. As you navigate this huge metropolis (easy to do on the excellent transportation network), keep in mind that streets are usually numbered odd on one side, even on the other. There's no baseline for street numbers and no block-based numbering system, but street signs indicate building numbers for any given block.
Separate living/sleeping area
- Separate dining area
- Sleeping area with panoramic view
- Separable beds
- TV in living and sleeping areas
- Veranda with space heaters
- Daylight bathroom with two sinks, free-standing bath, rain shower and veranda access
- Steam sauna in shower area
- Heated wall in bathroom (e.g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Separate toilet
- Free mini bar
- Coffee machine
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars in the cabin
- Nordic walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- Butler service
- Table reservation in main restaurant
- Free use of Wi-Fi
Separate living/sleeping area
- Separate dining area
- Sleeping area with panoramic view
- Separable beds
- TV in living and sleeping areas
- Bathroom with two sinks and rain shower
- Separate toilet
- Steam sauna in shower area
- Heated wall in bathroom (e.g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Free mini bar
- Coffee machine
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars in the cabin
- Nordic walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- Table reservation in main restaurant (applies to the PLATINUM and GOLD fares)
- Butler service
Heated wall in the bathroom (e. g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Rain shower
- Free mini bar (soft drinks)
- Coffee machine
- Separable beds
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars
- Nordic Walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- There is one cabin with fully accessible layout and equipment (cabin 404)
Heated wall in the bathroom (e. g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Rain shower
- Free mini bar (soft drinks)
- Coffee machine
- Separable beds
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars
- Nordic Walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- There is one cabin with fully accessible layout and equipment (cabin 404)
The French Balcony Cabins in Category 3 on Deck 6 are approximately 23 m²/248 ft² in size, and those in Category 5 on Deck 7 approximately 21 m²/226 ft². The Balcony Cabins at the stern have a slightly different floor plan.
- Heated wall in the bathroom (e. g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Rain shower
- Free mini bar (soft drinks)
- Coffee machine
- Separable beds
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars
- Nordic Walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- There is one cabin with fully accessible layout and equipment (cabin 404)
- Heated wall in the bathroom (e. g. for towels and wet parkas)
- Rain shower
- Free mini bar (soft drinks)
- Coffee machine
- Separable beds
- Extensive infotainment with live broadcast and recordings of expert presentations, forward-view camera, navigation chart, films and much more
- Binoculars
- Nordic Walking poles
- 24-hour cabin service
- There is one cabin with fully accessible layout and equipment (cabin 404)
HANSEATIC spirit
Each of our expeditions is a work of art. Passionately conceived, masterfully realised. A portrait of the world in which there is always something new to discover. And our small, state-of-the-art expedition ships HANSEATIC nature, HANSEATIC inspiration and HANSEATIC spirit (max. 230 guests) are the very best studio where such artistic masterpieces are created. Worlds both faraway and nearby. Ice and tropics. Wildlife paradise or cultural treasure. For every explorer, we offer the right journey of discovery. More than 30 years of experience as the market leader in German-speaking countries.
Ship Facts
| Launch Year | 2019 | ||||||
| Refit Year | |||||||
| Language | de+en | ||||||
| Gross Tonnage | 15650 | ||||||
| Length | 138 | ||||||
| Width | 22 | ||||||
| Currency | EUR | ||||||
| Speed | 16 | ||||||
| Capacity | 230 | ||||||
| Crew Count | 175 | ||||||
| Deck Count | 7 | ||||||
| Cabin Count | 127 | ||||||
| Large Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||
| Wheelchair Cabin Count | N/A | ||||||
| Electrical Plugs |
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Deck 9
- Zodiacs
- Flexible canopy
- Sun Deck
Deck 8
- Sun Deck
- Ocean Academy
- OCEAN SPA
- Course room
- Sports Club
- Hairdresser
- Pool
- Whirlpool
- Glass Balcony
- Pool bar
- Observation Lounge
Deck 7
- Bridge
- Veranda Suite or Ocean Suite
- Penthouse Suite
Deck 6
- Tenders
- Inspiration Walk
- Veranda Suite or Ocean Suite
- Grand Ocean Suite
- Penthouse Suite
Deck 5
- Lido Restaurant
- Grand Penthouse Suite
- Penthouse Suite
- Veranda Suite or Ocean Suite
Deck 4
- HANSEATIC Restaurant
- Nikkei
- Reception
- Cruise Sales
- HanseAtrium & Bar
- Boutique
- Penthouse Suite
- Veranda Suite or Ocean Suite
Deck 3
- Changing room
- Hospital
- Marina
A new kind of freedom between adventure and pleasure
Come with us on a culinary voyage of discovery around the globe: on board, three spacious first-class restaurants create a unique and indulgent combination of expedition spirit with international gourmet cuisine. Spend your days and evenings however you wish thanks to flexible mealtimes, a free choice of seating and attentive 24-hour cabin service.
HANSEATIC Restaurant
The spacious HANSEATIC Restaurant of the new expedition class redefines on-board cuisine. From breakfast to dinner, experience our endless variety of creative cuisine at any time of day. Where your ship drops anchor, our top chefs will look to local specialities and conjure up for your plate the aromas of South Africa, the far north, or Europe. Daily changing menus will send your taste buds on a global tour of discovery – accompanied by a selection of wines to suit every palate.
L'esprit
The l'esprit on the HANSEATIC spirit celebrates the spirit of French cuisine. A tribute to culinary expertise and Mediterranean lightness.
Lido Restaurant
Expeditions bring you particularly close to the elements. The same applies to our Lido Restaurant. Have breakfast under an open sky, or enjoy a juicy steak cooked to perfection on the large outdoor barbecue – garnished with breathtaking panoramic views. Watch our gourmet chefs at work in the open show kitchen or head straight to the ice cream station for dessert. And why not? After all, the daily grind is far away.
That special touch
Land on a secluded island in a Zodiac and enjoy barbecued fish and chilled drinks with your feet in the sand. Or celebrate with a glass of champagne against a stunning icy backdrop. Our service and ingenuity continue ashore – with a barbecue on the beach, a reception in the ice or exotic delicacies in the depths of the rainforest. This is the feeling of true expedition. This is the taste of true delight.
A glass of wine in your hand and the magnificent jungle, the captivating wilderness of Nordic fjords or the icy panoramas of the Antarctic directly before you – the perfect end to a day of expeditions. From classic whiskys to fancy aperitif creations, the superbly equipped bars in the Observation Lounge and HanseAtrium serve your favourite drinks as you watch the sun go down. Welcome to the small club of great explorers.
Glass Balconies
The glass balcony beneath your feet allows you to hover above the water and reveals the endless expanse and beauty of the ocean. Watch whales and large porpoises as they follow the ship, thrilling you as they leap and swim. Being so close to creation is an indescribable feeling.
Inspiration Walk
The deck tour at the bow offers extraordinarily intensive experiences: when whales jump for joy and polar bears take an icy bath, you will be the first to see these fascinating natural spectacles.
Observation Lounge & Library
Stroll the spacious decks and feel the stars almost within reach – the terraced Observation Deck with a panoramic view is but one place to fulfil your dream. You can also quench your thirst for adventure in the comfortable surroundings of the Observation Lounge. The large full-glass windows provide a 180-degree view of the moon and sea while you reflect on your unforgettable travel days over a glass of wine.
Library
You are welcome to borrow a book on board at any time. Our library is located in the Observation Lounge (Deck 8) and is stocked with a selection of the latest fiction books, travel literature and information about the cruising area.
Invisible Lounge
Located on Deck 4.
Reception
Post
The Reception staff will post your postcards and letters from all ports where this facility is available. Your onboard account will be debited with the appropriate charges.
Announcements
To create the full expedition experience, commentaries are provided for interesting passages during the cruise and special animal sightings are reported. The ship’s position is reported in the morning on days at sea. We will also announce via the loudspeakers when the local authorities have cleared the ship and we can go ashore. The volume can be controlled individually in each cabin/suite.
Means of payment
The on-board currency is the euro. An account will be set up for you so that you can make cashless payments during the cruise. You can find out your current account balance at any time using the infotainment system in your cabin/suite. You can then settle the entire account at Reception at the end of your cruise. We accept German EC/Maestro cards and the following credit cards: Mastercard, American Express and Visa. You can also pay in cash. Please note that, in general, foreign currencies cannot be changed on board.
reception@hanseatic-nature.com