OVERVIEW

See the island’s immense natural beauty on a panoramic drive through the countryside with occasional stops at attractions that reflect the culture. Few settings are quite so inspiring as Promthep Cape, the southernmost point on Phuket, from which you will gaze out over the island-dotted Andaman Sea. You will enjoy a different perspective of Phuket’s gorgeous landscape from the alabaster Big Buddha statue atop Mount Nagakerd. It faces Chalong Bay, where you will find the Buddhist temple Wat Chalong. A gilt statue of a heroic monk that helped quell the Chinese Coolie Rebellion in 1876 is on display inside. To further enhance your understanding of the local religious beliefs, you will browse JuiTui Chinese shrine, a shrine decorated with statutes of Chinese gods. Its red and gold colors are meant to bring good luck and joy. Free time will also be allotted for shopping at a high-end store that carries exquisite jewelry, Thai silk clothing and fine porcelain.

Spend hours independently exploring the attractions in Phuket that sound most appealing to you and stay at them as long as like. You will be dropped off at the sprawling Central Phuket Floresta shopping mall on the edge of Phuket Town. Its collection of more than 400 stores carries every type of merchandise imaginable. Luxury brands are particularly well represented with the mall’s flagship stores reading like a Who’s Who of designers, including Bvlgari, Prada and Louis Vuitton. If you wish to dine, there are plenty of options with regard to the cuisines and the restaurants, which range from casual settings in the food court to exquisite gourmet venues. There is even a restaurant with a massive aquarium that showcases a stunning array of colorful marine life. While you will be welcome to spend the entire time shopping, as an alternative, you could explore other nearby attractions on your own.

Broaden your understanding of Thai culture through attractions that reflect various perspectives of daily life, beginning with a factory that processes cashews. Don’t be fooled by its misleading name, the Sri Bhurapa Orchid Company is devoted solely to the production of cashews, an important cash crop on the island. Products range from cashew juice said to have medicinal qualities to raw cashews flavored with butter and sweet chilis. The island’s devotion to Buddhist comes to light at Wat Chalong, the island’s largest temple. If you hear firecrackers going off, don’t be alarmed—that’s how worshippers traditionally express gratitude for answered prayers. Elephants are also synonymous with Thai culture, and they once roamed wild on Phuket. You will see these extraordinary creatures up close at an elephant camp, where you may watch them demonstrate their intelligence and ability to use tools. A brief stop will also be made at a local store where you may browse for souvenirs.

Become immersed in Phuket’s culture, spiritualism and natural beauty through its must-see attractions. Few settings on the island are quite so inspiring as Promthep Cape, the top of which you will reach by climbing a few dozen steps. From there, you will gaze out over the spectacular landscape of Nai Harn Beach, which rims a perfect half-moon bay and the island-dotted Andaman Sea beyond. Wat Chalong, the island’s largest and most revered temple, is inspirational in a different way. While there, you may see pilgrims who come to pay respects to a former monk that helped quell the Chinese Coolie Rebellion in the 19th century. The temple holds his walking stick, which is said to cure diseases when touched. A traditional dance performance at a village build around a former tin mine will add another layer to your understanding of Thai culture. The opulently costumed performers will dance to the bewitching sounds of Thai flutes and drums. A brief stop will also be made at a local store for a shopping opportunity.

Pitch in to help conserve the crabs, mangroves and sea grasses that are essential to Phuket’s marine ecosystem. The Bank Crab is a project committed to educating the locals so they don’t eat egg-bearing female crabs. Instead, those crabs are kept in nurseries until the eggs are hatched, a practice that keeps the ecosystem in balance. After watching how it’s done, you will board a longtail boat and cruise into the mangrove forest. The trees stabilize the coast, purify the water and provide shelter for birds and marine life. Mangroves are among the most valuable species for maintaining the coastal environment, and to keep it thriving you will plant a mangrove sapling within the forest. Similarly, seagrass beds are critical habitats for dugongs, marine mammals that are similar to manatees. If the tide is low, you will plant some seagrass. Otherwise, you will make an or Effective Micro-organism ball that can be used to remove pollutants from wastewater.

Learn some of the ways that Phuket protects sea turtles and gibbons to conserve its most vulnerable marine life and wildlife. At the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, you will discover how sea turtle nesting sites are protected, especially in areas that have become somewhat urban. Turtle eggs laid there are often transferred to the foundation for hatching. You will see how those hatchlings are raised, have the chance to feed them and join a beach clean-up to keep their nesting areas free of harmful debris. It will be a fulfilling experience, as will be visiting the Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Project. Loss of habitat, the illegal wildlife trade and poaching gibbons for food have gravely threatened the species. The foundation rescues as many gibbons as possible, rehabilitates them and eventually releases these arboreal apes into a national park that is Phuket’s last remaining tropical rainforest. There they can thrive once again in a wonderfully biodiverse landscape.

Oceania Exclusive Tour

For those travelers who prefer an added measure of intimacy and flexibility, we are pleased to offer our new Oceania Exclusive tours. With a minimum of 10 guests and a maximum capacity of just 16 guests, each tour benefits from a higher level of personal attention and the added flexibility and agility that come from traveling in a small group.

Oceania Exclusive tours are available for a specially selected number of tours in almost every port we visit, in every corner of the world.

Discover the diversity of attractions on Phuket and gain a cultural understanding of Thailand’s only island province. You will learn about cashew production at the curiously named Sri Bhurapa Orchid Company by watching the production process. For a glimpse into Phuket’s history, you will visit the Buddhist temple Wat Chalong. A gilt statue of a heroic monk that helped quell the Chinese Coolie Rebellion in 1876 is inside. You will then see one of the world’s most valuable collections of seashells at a museum with rarities and curiosities such as the world’s largest golden pearl and a shell weighing a quarter ton. Although Promthep Cape may be littered with shells, its ultimate attraction is the view of the island-dotted Andaman Sea from the top of the cape. Architecture is the allure of Phuket Town, as you will discover by meandering through its oldest section, a collection of colonial buildings with Portuguese and Chinese influences.

OVERVIEW

View a dramatic sunset from the island’s southern tip and then watch a dazzling cabaret performance in a nightclub in the beach town of Patong. The western shore of Promthep Cape is considered one of the very best spots to watch the sun slowly dip below the horizon, as this much-anticipated event typically transforms the sky into a palette of fiery reds, soft pinks and vibrant purples. Be sure to have your camera ready as every photo will be well worth sharing. The cabaret show will be just as mesmerizing. As soon as the curtain rises, you can expect to be awed by the bejeweled costumes, the captivating choreography and the lip-syncing singers, all beautifully enhanced through state-of-the-art sound and lighting. This high-energy cabaret performance couldn’t be more entertaining or wonderfully flamboyant. Although taking pictures isn’t allowed during the show, the performers will be happy to pose with you afterwards.

OVERVIEW

Cruise to one of the area’s most beautiful beaches on a catamaran and relax along the shore before sailing off to watch the sunset. The route will take you past some of the most gorgeous tropical scenery imaginable. In time, you will arrive at Banana Beach, an idyllic stretch of sugar-white sand on Coral Island, much of which is a national park and marine reserve. Feel free to do most anything you please. You might bask in the sun, stroll along the water’s edge and take a refreshing swim in the Andaman Sea. Snorkeling gear is available if you wish to explore the underwater wonders before dining on traditional Thai cuisine. In the late afternoon, you will cruise to Promthep Cape, where you will anchor off shore to witness what is sure to be an epic sunset. The open deck of the catamaran offers the ultimate vantage point to watch the spectacle.

Practice yoga on the beach, meditate in the shadow of a towering statue of Buddha and dine on the concoctions you create in a cooking class, all in the interest of enhancing wellness. Palm-dotted Kata Beach will be the setting for the yoga class, during which the instructor will lead you through a series of postures that may lead to greater relaxation and perhaps a level of inner peace. Then it’s on to the Big Buddha, a massive concrete statue layered with white jade marble. In this serene locale, you will meditate in the Buddhist style in hopes of attaining physical and mental benefits. To further understand the local culture, you will travel to Kan Eang@Pier, one of the city’s oldest restaurants. Under the watchful eye of a master chef, you will prepare healthy Thai dishes in a hands-on cooking class. As you will discover by dining on the dishes, they will express the nuances of Thai cuisine.

This full-day tour takes you to one of the most unique and inspiring spots on earth, Phang Nga Bay. Considered by many a must-see sight, there are very few places in the world with a landscape like Phang Nga.

Begin your day with a drive to the island's north end and then cross to the Thai mainland via the Thep Krasettree Causeway. Drive to Phang Nga National Park where you board a motorboat and begin your unforgettable cruise through the spectacular and seductive limestone scenery. Established in 1981, the park lies in the sheltered pale milky-green waters northeast of Phuket Island and is the location of more than 80 awe-inspiring islands. These unique karst formations were created when a collision of great magnitude occurred over 300 million years ago between the Indian subcontinent and mainland Asia. The force of the tectonic plates pushed and rotated what is now Thailand and Malaysia, forcing the limestone above the surface. The resulting karst formations appear like fairy castles out of the sea and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Vegetation on the karsts has evolved to withstand long periods of dryness and an almost complete lack of soil. See spectacular flora hanging off the vertical rock faces and cascading down the cliffs including palm trees, bamboo, ferns and wild orchids. During your cruise enjoy a photo opportunity at the small island of Kao Ping-Gan, where part of the James Bond adventure “The Man with the Golden Gun” was filmed.

Visit Koh Panyee, a picturesque village extending out across the water, resting precariously on small pilings. It is inhabited chiefly by Muslim fishermen who originally migrated from Indonesia. Cut off from the mainland and most modern amenities, their unique culture has existed for more than a hundred years.

Following a buffet lunch, you will drive back to the ship. A short stop at a recommended shopping venue will be made en route.

Explore the sea caves in Phang Nga Bay by canoe and ride between the craggy limestone islands in a motorboat. The islands and monoliths that rise up out of the bay couldn’t be more gorgeous as their precipitous cliffs are covered with tropical vegetation. Many of them also feature sea caves that erosion from wind and water have carved out of the limestone. You will enter the caves on Panak Island in an inflatable canoe that a local guide will paddle. Inside, you will see spectacular rock formations and filtered sunlight from the openings above dancing across the water’s surface. Hong Island is equally impressive as it contains a turquoise lake-like lagoon that a sugar-white beach rims. You will also take in its natural beauty from the comfort of the canoe. To enhance the experience on the bay, you will enjoy free time to swim and relax on one of its most picturesque beaches.

Enjoy an inspiring introduction to Thailand’s history and culture on this magical evening out.

From the pier, you’ll transfer to Siam Niramit Theater in Phuket town.

On arrival, you’ll enjoy a buffet of local specialties and free time to walk around the recreated Thai village. There is a lot to see and do. The village people show their crafts such as silk weaving, batik painting and shadow puppets. You can also see demonstrations of Thai boxing and a procession of Thai warriors with their elephants. Walk around the lake or stop to see traditional Thai dancing.

You’ll also enjoy a magical show highlighting the traditions and culture of every region of Thailand. Siam Niramit is a world-class performance enhanced by special effects and some of the world’s most advanced technology. The show features over 100 performers, lavish costumes and stunning set design. The show features songs, dance routines and traditional martial arts, immersing you into Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. Ceremonies, festivals and daily life from all corners of the country are represented.

At the end of the performance, you will transfer back to the pier.

Snorkel the coral reefs surrounding the petite island of Koh Khai, observing the variety of marine life that flourishes in the crystalline waters. A speedboat will take you to Koh Khai for your snorkeling adventure in the Andaman Sea. Feel free to relax on the island’s powdery beach first. You might sunbathe, stroll along the shore and gaze out over the idyllic setting. When the mood strikes, head for the reef just offshore, where the waters are teeming with marine life. While snorkeling, you may spot brilliantly colored butterfly fish pecking for food among the crevices, triggerfish comfortably nestled in the coral and clown anemonefish, whose bright orange coloring and white stripes make them one of the most recognized reef-dwellers. You will also have the chance to snorkel the waters surrounding a different island nearby. Although the same sorts of species flourish here, the underwater scene will constantly change, ensuring that each moment will be a new experience.

Be awed by the natural beauty of Phang Nga Bay while riding in a speedboat to a particularly photogenic island and a unique floating village. The bay’s bizarrely shaped monolithic islands were created millions of years ago when shifting tectonic plates pushed underwater limestone to the surface. The sheer-faced islands are now covered with mangroves and draped with orchids and ferns that give them a primeval appearance. The setting is so dramatic that it has been a backdrop for numerous movies, including two James Bond films. One of them was shot at Khao Phing Kan, better known as James Bond Island, where you will stop to admire the scenic beauty. You will also visit Ko Panyi, a water village on stilts that Javanese fisherman founded more than a century ago. After a classic Thai lunch there, you will enjoy free time on one of the bay’s most extraordinary beaches.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 30 guests

PLEASE NOTE: Private cars/vans/minibuses are ordered per vehicle (not per person), and only one person in the party need order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. Kindly note, however, that in certain ports only a driver/guide will be assigned (one person), due to limited availability. Entrance fees are not included in this price, in order to provide you with the most flexibility. In many ports, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited; therefore guests are encouraged to make their reservation as early as possible.

Half-day private tours must depart between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 am, or after 1:00 p.m.

Upon embarkation, please consult the Destination Manager onboard to personally discuss your itinerary requirements and set your departure time.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 16 guests

PLEASE NOTE: Private cars/vans/minibuses are ordered per vehicle (not per person), and only one person in the party need order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. Kindly note, however, that in certain ports only a driver/guide will be assigned (one person), due to limited availability. Entrance fees are not included in this price, in order to provide you with the most flexibility. In many ports, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited; therefore guests are encouraged to make their reservation as early as possible.

Half-day private tours must depart between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 am, or after 1:00 p.m.

Upon embarkation, please consult the Destination Manager onboard to personally discuss your itinerary requirements and set your departure time.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 8 guests

PLEASE NOTE: Private cars/vans/minibuses are ordered per vehicle (not per person), and only one person in the party need order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. Kindly note, however, that in certain ports only a driver/guide will be assigned (one person), due to limited availability. Entrance fees are not included in this price, in order to provide you with the most flexibility. In many ports, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited; therefore guests are encouraged to make their reservation as early as possible.

Half-day private tours must depart between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 am, or after 1:00 p.m.

Upon embarkation, please consult the Destination Manager onboard to personally discuss your itinerary requirements and set your departure time.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 2 guests

OVERVIEW

Savor a sumptuous dinner of southern Thai cuisine as a prelude to exploring Old Town by tuk tuk. You will dine at the Blue Elephant, an iconic restaurant that occupies the former governor’s mansion, a spectacular example of Sino-Portuguese architecture. The setting beautifully complements the cuisine, which reflects the local culture. The menu is both unique and traditional, a combination that contributed greatly to UNESCO honoring Phuket as its first City of Gastronomy. Following dinner, you will travel around the historic district in a tuk tuk, a motorized three-wheeled vehicle originally named for the sound of its engine. Modern engines are noticeably quieter and the tuk-tuk has become one of the most desirable ways to get around Old Town, which looks particularly radiant at night as it will be dramatically illuminated. You will also have the opportunity to explore further by wandering about on your own during free time.

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 2 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 2 guests

PRICE is per vehicle

This exclusive arrangement is designed to allow you the chance to customize your time ashore and discover the most interesting sights in the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle. With your private car and the personalized attention of your driver and English-speaking guide, you will have the flexibility and independence to design your itinerary ashore according to your own interests and sightsee at your own pace. See the most famous sights or go beyond to create your own intimate connections and unique cultural encounters.

The Executive Collection is recommended for the single/solo traveler, couples, family, friends, and special interest groups traveling together. It can also be an excellent choice for physically challenged guests.

Capacity: 8 guests

PLEASE NOTE: Private cars/vans/minibuses are ordered per vehicle (not per person), and only one person in the party need order the vehicle. The price shown is the total cost for the vehicle, driver and English-speaking guide. Kindly note, however, that in certain ports only a driver/guide will be assigned (one person), due to limited availability. Entrance fees are not included in this price, in order to provide you with the most flexibility. In many ports, the number of vehicles available is extremely limited; therefore guests are encouraged to make their reservation as early as possible.

Half-day private tours must depart between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 am, or after 1:00 p.m.

Upon embarkation, please consult the Destination Manager onboard to personally discuss your itinerary requirements and set your departure time.

Delve into Thai farm life by watching demonstrations of traditional practices that offer a window into the rural world. The farmhouse is part of a cultural learning center where you will watch typical agricultural activities. Rice is a staple in Thailand so seeing it planted, milled to remove the unwanted outer layers and sifted for flour can be an eye-opening experience. You will also observe as rubber trees are tapped for their milky latex and as tin is panned in water to separate the metal. Although many farmers still perform these tasks by hand, in other areas of Thailand those jobs have been mechanized. Water buffaloes are used for certain farming chores, especially for plowing fields, and you can have your photo taken with one of these large but docile beasts. For a glimpse into the cuisine, you will watch curry paste being prepared from dried chili peppers. Free time for shopping will follow.

Discover the diversity of attractions on Phuket and gain a cultural understanding of Thailand’s only island province. You will learn about cashew production at the curiously named Sri Bhurapa Orchid Company by watching the production process. For a glimpse into Phuket’s history, you will visit the Buddhist temple Wat Chalong. A gilt statue of a heroic monk that helped quell the Chinese Coolie Rebellion in 1876 is inside. You will then see one of the world’s most valuable collections of seashells at a museum with rarities and curiosities such as the world’s largest golden pearl and a shell weighing a quarter ton. Although Promthep Cape may be littered with shells, its ultimate attraction is the view of the island-dotted Andaman Sea from the top of the cape. Architecture is the allure of Phuket Town, as you will discover by meandering through its oldest section, a collection of colonial buildings with Portuguese and Chinese influences.