Explore Bangkok like a local as you discover its temples, markets and the secrets of traditional Thai canal life. Tour several sites by tuk-tuk, including Chinatown, a fragrant flower market and striking Wat Po, the oldest temple in Bangkok and also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. During a canal cruise, discover floating shops, teakwood houses and hidden temples as you glide among Thonburi’s complex network of canals. Also, visit The Jim Thompson House, a private Thai-style residence that now serves as a museum.
Day 1
After arriving at the Bangkok International Airport and proceeding through luggage claim and Customs, you will be met in the Arrivals Hall and transferred to your hotel in the Bangkok city center. Check in is at 3:00pm. Although every effort will be made to have rooms available before this time, this cannot be guaranteed. Should you be arriving very early in the morning you may wish to book an extra night, so your room is ready upon your arrival.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure and meals are on your own.
Day 2
Following breakfast at the hotel you will begin your exploration of Bangkok by coach, traveling through vibrant China Town, Bangkok's commercial center for more than 200 years while en route to Pak-Klong-Talad. Here, you'll be treated to a short stroll through the amazing kaleidoscope of colorful blooms and perfumed scents of what is considered the city's primary flower market.
Next you will have the opportunity to experience travelling through the old city of Bangkok like a local - via Tuk Tuk - a 3-wheeled motorized taxi that truly puts you in the heart of the action and allows you to fully absorb the atmosphere of this fabulous city.
Your next stop is at Wat Po, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest temple in Bangkok. This popular temple is where you will find Thailand's largest reclining Buddha. Incredibly the grounds house over 1,000 Buddha images. The focal point of your tour is an opportunity to visit the immense gold-plated Buddha that extends to a length of 150 feet and rises to a height of 49 feet.
Continuing, you'll next venture to a high-quality shop where you can take time to browse for souvenirs. Thailand is famous for its beautiful Thai silk, jewelry and local handicrafts and the shop offers a diverse selection
of merchandise for your perusal.
Return to your hotel where you can freshen up and enjoy lunch on your own.
This afternoon embark on a tour of the city by canal. Board a local river boat for an enlightening cruise along the bustling Chao Phaya River and through the complex network of klongs (canals) in the Thonburi district. Along the way, you will enjoy picturesque scenes of traditional Thai canal life, including floating grocery stores, speeding water taxis, teakwood houses built on stilts and hidden temples.
Your first stop is at the Royal Barge Museum which houses the ornately decorated longboats that were once used for royal functions. Here, you can see the lavish Suphanahonge, a gold encrusted swan-shaped barge used solely
by the king. In addition to Suphanahong, there are many other fascinating and unique barges on display, each revealing a remarkable degree of exquisite craftsmanship.
Leaving the Museum, you'll next travel to Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. The Temple is one of the most well-known and popular tourist attractions in Bangkok and you'll have some time to stroll around the lovely temple
grounds and view the various decorative murals.
Arrive back at the hotel where the remainder of your day is at leisure and dinner is on your own.
Day 3
Following breakfast, visit the former residence of Princess Chumbot of Nakhon Sawan – Wang Suan Pakkard. The Palace is a collection of five traditional Thai-style houses including the "Lacquer Pavilion" which dates from the Ayutthaya period. The buildings are now home to a priceless Asian antique collection and exquisite wood carvings.
Continue with a visit to the private Thai-style house of Jim Thompson, the "father" of the famous Thai silk industry. The house now survives as a museum after the mysterious disappearance of the legendary Mr. Thompson in Malaysia. On display in the main house is his splendid small Asian art collection as well as his personal belongings.
Return to the hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure with lunch and dinner on your own.
Day 4
Following breakfast and check out at the hotel, you will be transferred to the ship to begin the cruise.
Land Program Details Step by Step
•The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. Program times are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.
•Itineraries with the up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. You will then receive a final itinerary from our ground operator with a Welcome Letter upon arrival or at your hotel. Please review the letter and your final itinerary carefully for further amendments.
•The hotels used for your land program will be the hotels listed in this document unless you have been advised otherwise in advance of the land program start date.
•Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released.
Extra Nights
•If you book extra nights through the cruise line, you will be met as per the flight details provided and transferred to your hotel. Check-in is 3:00pm (subject to change). Meals other than breakfast, as well as activities, are on your own until day 2 of the program.
•If you have an early-arriving flight, you may wish to book an extra night as your room will not be ready for occupation until approximately 3:00pm.
•If you book extra nights on your own, transfers are not included.
Day 1
Arrive at Bangkok International Airport
Transfer to your hotel
3:00pm Check in
Lunch and dinner on your own
Overnight at the Royal Orchid Sheraton or similar hotel
Meet and Greet and transfers
•Final cruise documents will be emailed 21 days prior to sailing. The local ground agent’s telephone number will be on page 1, if you can’t locate the meet-and-greet representative upon arrival. Be aware that the representative may be assisting others and may not be in sight when you first exit Customs and the luggage claim area.
•Look for someone holding a sign with the cruise line logo and possibly your name. If in doubt, ask the airport staff to direct you to the meeting area for transfers or to page our representative.
•Meet and Greet and transfers are arranged for guests arriving on Day 1 of a land program or for extra nights booked through the cruise line and are arranged based on the flight details received by guests at least 14 days before sailing. Guests arriving independently before the program start date will not have a transfer included.
•If we have not received your flight details or your flights have changed, and the Destination Services Land Team has not been notified, then a transfer cannot be provided, and guests will be responsible for getting to the land program hotel at their own expense. Please immediately contact our Reservations Department for any flight changes before departure.
Day 2
AM Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Depart on a Bangkok City Tour by Tuk Tuk passing through China Town, the flower market
and visiting Wat Po and the reclining Buddha
1:00pm Return to the hotel for lunch (own account)
2:30pm Depart on the Canals & Royal Barges Tour visiting the Royal Barge Museum and Wat Arun
6:30pm Return to your hotel
Dinner on own account
Overnight at the Royal Orchid Sheraton or similar hotel
Day 3
AM Breakfast at the hotel
9.00am Depart on a Thai Heritage Tour visiting Wang Suan Pakkard and the Jim Thompson House
1:00pm Return to the hotel and the remainder of the day is at your leisure
Lunch and dinner are on your own account
Overnight at the Royal Orchid Sheraton or similar hotel
Day 4
AM Breakfast at the hotel
TBA Check out of the hotel
TBA Transfer to the pier to embark ship
Expected Weather:
March is quite hot in Bangkok. The daily average temperature for Bangkok during March is around 30°C.
Generally, the humidity is high therefore it tends to feel very muggy and sticky due to the temperatures. Caution is advised as heatstroke and fatigue can occur. If you are visiting the area, remember to drink lots of water to keep hydrated, wear sunscreen if you are spending time in the direct sunlight and take regular breaks from the heat to avoid exhaustion.
Documentation:
Guests must carry a valid passport with at least 6 months validity. Please check with your local embassy for any Visa requirements.
Currency:
Thai Baht. USD are not accepted. We recommend exchanging a small amount of money at the airport or at your hotel. Credit cards are widely accepted at major establishments. Cash will be required at markets.
Electricity:
The standard electrical voltage in Bangkok is 220 volts AC, 60Hz. We recommend bringing an adaptor in case the hotel cannot supply one.
Accommodation:
Royal Orchid Sheraton
2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30, Captain Bush Lane, Bang Rak, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 266 0123
*If a similar hotel is required due to unforeseen circumstances, it will be of equal ratings and standards and guests would be advised well in advance. If guests are not advised of any changes then they will be staying at the hotel listed here.
Program Includes for guests
•3 nights’ accommodation at the Royal Orchid Sheraton (Run of House Rooms) or similar hotel
•Meals included: 3 breakfasts
•Transfers
•Local English-speaking guides in Bangkok
•Bottles of water per person on all sightseeing tours
•Cold towels per person on all sightseeing tours
•All entrance fees required for touring in Bangkok
•Hospitality Desk at hotel in Bangkok
Please Note: Guests booking their own flights (independent of the cruise line) are responsible for ensuring that the cruise line has the updated arrival information, so your transfer can be arranged. If you book additional nights independently of the cruise line, an arrival transfer is not provided. If we do not receive flight details a minimum of 14 days in advance, transfers will not be provided.
Program Excludes:
•Personal expenses such as telephone calls, laundry,
•Gratuities for drivers & guides
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
•Additional touring and meals not mentioned in above itinerary
Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.
Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Land Programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty. There are no refunds for unused portions of any program. Guests failing to arrive on Day 1 of a scheduled land program will be considered a no-show and their hotel space released. Arrangements for accommodation and transfers will be at the expense of guests.
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and subject to availability.
