Indian Ocean cruise: Singapore to Mahe

Today you’ll explore Singapore’s districts with your local guide. A traditional bumboat will take you along the river to Marina Bay for views of the city’s unique architecture, including the Merlion statue (Singapore’s half-fish, half-lion mascot), the ArtScience Museum, and Marina Bay Sands. From there you will disembark and head to Chinatown and Little India to explore the markets and temples before stopping for lunch at a hawker centre, a great place to experience Singapore’s multicultural cuisine. Your final stop will be Gardens by the Bay. Escape the heat in the Cloud Forest, a cooled conservatory with one of the world's largest indoor waterfalls, and walk along the Skyway, an aerial walkway suspended between Singapore’s futuristic Supertrees.

The morning is yours to soak up some more of Singapore before boarding your cruise. You might like to head to Orchard Road for some last-minute shopping or walk through the Botanic Gardens for a chance to see monkeys, monitor lizards, and otters. In the afternoon, your driver will take you to the port to board your ship, Azamara Onward, and settle in before you depart Singapore that evening.

Your first stop on your cruise is Port Klang. From here you can explore Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. You could visit the Batu Caves, over 400 million years old with a Hindu temple at its centre and watched over by a golden statue of the god Murugan. Or, you might like to join a local food tour, tasting regional delicacies and visiting Malaysian markets.

For your first day at sea, ease into life on board and explore all your ship has to offer. You might also like to head to The Den lounge to find out more about the ports you’ll soon be visiting and the experiences available.

Today you’ll arrive in Sabang, the most western point of Indonesia. Clear waters and diverse marine life make this an excellent place to snorkel. You could join a glass-bottomed boat tour which makes stops at the local beaches or enjoy the island’s natural beauty at your own pace.

As your ship makes its way to Sri Lanka, you have two days at sea to spend as you wish. You might like to try out the panoramic jogging track, before lounging by the pool. In the evening, sip a cocktail in the Cabaret Lounge while enjoying a post-dinner show.

Today you might like to attend a lecture or Q&A session hosted by one of the ship’s expert destination speakers. You could also head to the Living Room to listen to live music, test your knowledge at trivia, or simply enjoy afternoon tea with views across the sea.

Docking at Hambantota, you have the opportunity to visit some of Sri Lanka’s best national parks: keen birdwatchers should join an expedition in Bundala, those hoping to see elephant could visit Udawalawe, or for a chance to see the elusive leopard, you could take a safari in Yala.

Your next stop is Sri Lanka’s vibrant capital, Colombo. You might like to join a tour of Old Colombo with a local historian where you’ll learn about the city’s past as an important seaport for Muslim traders, and Portuguese and Dutch settlers before the island was under British rule. A highlight of the tour is a visit to the Dutch Hospital, a 17th-century complex which is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city and is now home to shops selling artisan crafts, cafés, and bars.

As your ship sails to India, relax onboard until you dock in Cochin late in the afternoon. The city has been a bustling trading port since 1314 and has a rich multicultural maritime heritage. You will have plenty of time to explore as your ship will remain in Cochin until tomorrow evening. You might like to get a feel for the city with a stroll along the waterfront to see fishermen working the Chinese fishing nets.

Today you have the chance to explore Cochin further. Visit the Mattancherry Palace with its detailed frescoes, the old spice warehouses, the Jewish synagogue and the churches in Fort Cochin. We recommend making time to see Kathakali; a 300-year-old form of dance in which movement, music, costume, and masks are used to tell stories from Hindu legend. Or you may want to immerse yourself further in the culture of the region with a trip to Vaikom, one of the oldest townships in South India surrounded by the backwaters of Kerala.

The past few days in port are likely to have been action-packed, so you might like to use your day at sea to unwind before the next chapter of your trip begins. Enjoy a treatment at the Sanctum Spa before relaxing on the spa’s private terrace, complete with a thalassotherapy pool.

This morning you will wake up in Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From here you can explore two snorkelling spots with the chance to see brightly coloured fish, sea turtles, manta rays, and even reef sharks. For those who don’t want to get in the water but are still interested in marine life, you can descend 100 feet below the surface in a submarine. Or simply spend the day on one of the islands surrounding Malé relaxing on the beach.

The next three days are another chance to kick back on board as your ship makes its way across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles. You might be interested in taking a behind-the-scenes tour of the ship with a crew member. In the evening, you could try one of Azamara’s speciality restaurants: you could have steak cooked to perfection at Prime C or taste Italian-inspired cuisine at Aqualina.

Today you could learn something new at one of the onboard classes, with subjects ranging from origami to line dancing. Or enjoy a bit of healthy competition with darts, ping pong, and shuffleboard tournaments. For something more sedate, the ship has a peaceful library with lots of secluded reading nooks.

Make the most of your final sea day by joining a yoga class, working out with an ocean view in the gym, or taking a dip in the pool.

This morning you’ll arrive at the second-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, Praslin. The majority of the island is Praslin National Park, a refuge for the island’s rare plants and birds. You might like to visit Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the park, where the giant Coco de Mer palm grows. In the afternoon you’ll reboard your ship and sail to La Digue Island. From here you have the chance to take a catamaran off the northeast coast, where you’ll find some of the region’s best snorkelling spots.

Your final port of call is Victoria on Mahé Island, the capital city of the Seychelles. You’ll disembark your cruise in the morning and be met by your driver who will drive you to your boutique hotel on the northern tip of the island. Settling into CaranaBeach Hotel, soak in the hillside views of the lagoon from your spacious balcony.

Today you might like to return to the capital, which is easily accessed by the coastal road near the hotel. The largest city in the Seychelles is surprisingly compact, with a Hindu temple, an old courthouse and a natural history museum. Or simply enjoy your secluded retreat at CaranaBeach and grab a cocktail around the swimming pool, overlooking the ocean.

Make the most of the Indian Ocean sunshine with a visit to Beau Vallon, a recommended beach nearby, known for its palm trees, clear waters and coral reefs. Here, you’ll find a great spot for diving and snorkelling, and ideal conditions for swimming in the sea. The bay also has several restaurants for a delicious Seychellois Creole lunch of fresh fish or curry.

Today is your final full day to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Seychelles. You may want to indulge in some treatments at the spa or simply relax on the beach today. For those seeking more adventure, you might hire a windsurfing board or a small catamaran.

Arrive home today to complete your journey.