Enjoy the definitive exploration of Bangkok and all its wonders and come away with a remarkably comprehensive understanding of the capital’s culture and history. At times, you will zip through the streets on a tuk tuk for an even more immersive experience. Visit Bangkok’s oldest temple Wat Po, the incredibly ornate Grand Palace complex and multiple markets that offer every type of merchandise imaginable, one a century-old floating market that you will reach by traditional longtail boat. An inspiring cultural dinner show will add more texture to the adventure.
Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.
DAY 1
Once you disembark the cruise ship in Bangkok’s port of Laem Chabang, an Akorn representative will meet you at the gangway for the driving tour of Thailand’s capital city. You will first travel through Chinatown, a bustling commercial hub for more than 200 years, and continue on to the Pak Khlong Talat flower market for a short stroll through the fragrant setting.
You will then hop in a three-wheeled motorized vehicle known as a tuk tuk and head into Old Town. The tuk tuk will put you in the heart of the action, allowing you to fully absorb the atmosphere of this fabulous city.
Your next stop will be Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, the oldest temple in Bangkok. Incredibly, the temple houses more than 1,000 Buddha images, including the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand. Seeing the immense gold-plated Buddha up close will be an unforgettable experience.
Following lunch at the Royal Princess Larn Luang hotel, you will visit the Grand Palace, the former residence for kings Rama I to Rama V of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Different palaces were built and named for different occasions such as the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, perhaps the most breathtaking of them all. Its Buddha is made of translucent green jasper, and the king changes its vestments three times a year during a solemn ceremony.
You will next check into the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok hotel to relax before traveling to the nearby riverside restaurant Sala Rim Naam for a cultural performance and a welcome dinner. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel to spend the evening.
DAY 2
After breakfast at the hotel, you will embark on a comfortable coach ride to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi, one of Thailand’s most renowned floating markets. Here, Thai locals visit daily to shop, dine and immerse themselves in the timeless atmosphere of Thailand's water markets, which have thrived for over a century.
You will then navigate Klong Damnoen Saduak, the longest and straightest canal in Thailand, on a small traditional longtail boat. This canal was commissioned by King Rama IV to connect the Mae Klong River with Chinese river routes, enhancing transportation and trade opportunities.
Next, you will visit the Mae Klong Railway Market, often referred to as the Hoop Rom Market. The market is a bustling hub of activity that offers a wide array of goods, including fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits and an assortment of local products. What makes it even more intriguing is the presence of a train track running right through the heart of the market.
The train schedule at Mae Klong Railway Market is a notable feature. The train passes through the market eight times a day, creating a fascinating spectacle as vendors swiftly move their stalls and retract awnings to make way for the passing train. Depending on the time you visit, you may witness the remarkable sight of the train racing through the market, just inches away from the fresh produce and goods on display.
Following your exploration of this captivating market, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the evening. Dinner will be served at the hotel, but the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
DAY 3
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel prior to check out and transferring to Gems Gallery International, a shop known for its exquisite jewelry. After perusing the merchandise, you will drive back to the port in Laem Chabang and embark the cruise ship.
Land Program Details Step by Step
• The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direct flights are never guaranteed.
• Itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be issued when you are emailed your final cruise documents 21 days prior to sailing. Final itineraries with updated details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any 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.
• A departure transfer is not included if guests leave before the last day of the program.
DAY 1
8:15am Disembark the ship in Laem Chabang
8:30am Transfer from the pier to Bangkok
11:00am the Pak Khlong Talat flower market and Wat Pho temple
12:00am Transfer to the Royal Princess Larn Luang hotel
12:30pm Lunch at the Royal Princess Larn Luang hotel
1:30pm Transfer to the Grand Palace
2:00pm Visit the Grand Palace
3:30pm Transfer to hotel for check in and free time
6:30pm Dinner and a cultural show at the hotel
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or a similar hotel
DAY 2
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
8:00am Transfer to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
9:30am Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Mae Klong Railway Market
12:00am Lunch at a local restaurant
1:00pm Transfer back to the hotel
3:30pm Relax at the hotel
6:30pm Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok or a similar hotel
DAY 3
7:00am Breakfast at the hotel
9:00am Check-out and shopping at the Gems Gallery International
11:00am Begin driving to the port for embarkation
1:30pm Arrive at the Laem Chabang port and embark the cruise ship
Expected Weather
Hot and Dry. The average mid-day temperatures can hover in upper 30s C (85-90 F), especially in inland areas like Bangkok. It is less breezy at this time of year, so the sun can be quite intense and the air hazy due to the rising humidity. Even so, the lack of rain still leaves this good time of year to visit.
What to Bring
Think comfortable and casual and observe the local dress codes by avoiding uncovered shoulders, shorts or revealing clothing. Full-length trousers or pants and/or skirts covering the knees must be worn when visiting the Grand Palace. Dinners are not formal, but you may want to bring something a bit dressier for that time of day.
Bring a hat or a head covering for sun protection and sunscreen, sunglasses and mosquito repellent for sunrise and sunset hours. A small packet of tissues or wet wipes may also be helpful. Wear flat comfortable walking shoes, not sandals or open-toed shoes or flip flops. Footwear and hats must be removed when visiting religious sites.
Local Currency
The local currency is the Thai Baht. But bring US Dollars as they are most commonly accepted in Thailand. Take smaller denominations of US Dollars, so you will not have lots of local currency that can’t be re-exchanged back home.
Electricity
Rooms are equipped with 220-volt, two-pin US-style electrical outlets. Bring adaptor kits for electronic devices.
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.
Documents and Visa Requirements
Guests must carry a valid passport with at least 6 months validity. Check with your local embassy for any visa requirements for your nationality.
VERY IMPORTANT
The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program, otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time will result in denial of travel and guests will have to pay for any expenses incurred in order to not proceed with the program.
The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. It is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure that they meet the entry requirements for each destination.
If traveling internationally, the countries you are flying to and/or connecting through may have different document requirements. We encourage you to visit the government and airport websites of every country you will be traveling to throughout the journey to familiarize yourself with their requirements.
Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
48 Oriental Ave, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500
Phone: 02 659 9000
*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.
Program Includes for guests:
• 2 nights at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (Deluxe Premier Room)
• Two breakfast, two lunches and 2 dinners
• All transfers in an air-conditioned 40-seat coach
• All touring per the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guides in Bangkok
• Bottled water on all tours
• Cold towels on all tours
• All entrance fees required for touring in Bangkok
• Akorn Tour Leader to accompany guests in Bangkok
Program Excludes for guests:
• Additional touring and meals not mentioned in above itinerary
• All services not mentioned in the above itinerary
• Gratuities for drivers and guides
• Hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
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, gravel and 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.
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. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 90 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 90 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.
