Tauck Launches Southeast Asia Cruise on New Luxury Ship

Tauck has announced a new 16-day land and sea exploration of Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore centered around an 11-day cruise aboard the new luxury small ship, Le Soléal. Scheduled to launch this summer in Italy, the 466-foot ship has a capacity of 264 passengers and it will also be featured on selected 2013 sailings of Tauck's cruise exploration of Iceland.

Tauck's new “Treasures of Southeast Asia” itinerary will kick-off with an included two-night exploration of Hong Kong featuring accommodations at the Kowloon Shangri-La and guided sightseeing, and it will conclude with a two-night stay in Singapore (also with in-depth guided sightseeing) and accommodations at the Marina Bay Sands.

Between their stays in Hong Kong and Singapore, Tauck guests will spend 11 days cruising aboard Le Soléal with ports of call including Hai Phong, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Throughout their journey, Tauck guests will enjoy a wide array of unique experiences highlighting the history and culture of Southeast Asia, beginning with a dim sum culinary experience, market visits and other activities in Hong Kong.

In Vietnam, guests will travel on a day trip to explore Hanoi, sail on Ha Long Bay aboard a traditional junk, and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, My Son. Guests will also tour the Cao Dai Temple in Da Nang, experience daily life at a Vietnamese school and a local farmer's home, and explore historic, sprawling Ho Chi Minh City. Tauck's guests will also learn about Singapore's rich multiculturalism during tours of its Chinatown, Little India and Little Arabia neighborhoods, and explore its history during a visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Tauck's “Treasures of Southeast Asia” journey is priced from $9,990 per person (double occupancy, plus air), with southbound departures scheduled for October 28th and November 19th, and a reverse-itinerary, northbound departure slated for November 8th. Each departure is virtually all-inclusive, with all shore excursions, gratuities, port charges, airport transfers, luggage handling, onboard alcoholic drinks and much more built into the price.

TAUCK AND COMPAGNIE DU PONANT

The “Treasures of Southeast Asia” itinerary is the latest collaboration between Tauck and Compagnie Du Ponant, the French small ship cruise line that owns Le Soléal and a number of other ships featured on Tauck's ocean cruises, including Le Soléal's sister ships L'Austral and Le Boréal, as well as the 60-passenger Le Ponant. Tauck is Compagnie Du Ponant's largest single customer, and Kiki Tauck Mahar, wife of Tauck CEO Dan Mahar, is serving as the official godmother to Le Soléal.

Like L'Austral and Le Boréal, Le Soléal combines elegance and eco-friendly technologies with the highest standards for quality in design, décor and amenities. The ships each feature six decks (all served by elevator) that include a chic main dining room serving French and international cuisine, a casual grill restaurant, three lounges offering bars and entertainment, a state-of-the-art theater for lectures and entertainment, fitness and beauty facilities, a medical center and multiple observation areas.

Suites ranging from 301 to 398 sq. ft. and state rooms (ranging from 200 to 210 sq. ft.) all provide ocean views, with 95% of all accommodations featuring private balconies. Among other amenities, suites and staterooms also feature either two twin beds that can convert to a king-sized bed (or a sofa converting into a queen-size bed), individually-controlled air conditioning, flat-screen TV with satellite channels and video on demand, iPod docking station, electronic safe, minibar, and more.

Le Soléal and its sister ships have also been designed with the latest technologies to ensure minimal impact to the environment. For example, the ship features a navigational positioning system that protects the sea bed by eliminating the need to drop anchor, wastewater and solid waste processing systems, and a detection system to help avoid collisions with whales and other cetaceans.

Those interested in more information on Tauck's small ship cruises may contact their local travel professional, visit www.tauck.com, or call 1 800 468 2825.

More information: Tauck - Making Connections through Inspirational Travel & Exceptional Choice