Exploring Australia & The Far East
- Departure Date23 Feb 2024
- Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Borealis
- 32 Nights Cruise & Stay
- Prices From £4,789 per person
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This sensational cruise holiday combines iconic cities Sydney and Dubai with a captivating cruise. Starting with 2 nights in Sydney, you’ll have plenty of time to visit the Opera House, climb the famous Harbour Bridge and take a stroll around the historic Rocks district. You’ll then set sail for your 28 night cruise on board Borealis. Experience beautiful and diverse destinations such as Cairns, Komodo Island an Bali. In Singapore Singapore, stroll through the Tiger Balm Gardens and enjoy a ‘Singapore Sling’ at the famous Raffles Hotel. Discover cosmopolitan Phuket and timeless Kochi before seeing the natural beauty of Goa. Enjoy sightseeing in Mumbai before finally porting in Dubai, watch the spectacular dancing fountain show, gaze in awe at the jaw-dropping views of Dubai’s futuristic skyline.
Sydney
Komodo
Singapore
Phuket
Mumbai
Dubai
| Departure Date | Interior | Oceanview | Balcony | Suite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | £4,789 | £5,299 | - | £8,899 |
Price based on flying from London. Suite price is based on Balcony Junior Suite. Prices are subject to availability and may change out with our control. Flight supplements from regional airports will apply. For a live price for your chosen date, airport and hotels please call our Cruise Experts.
Bearing a name that previously bestowed an Olsen-owned vessel in the 1940s, and inspires thoughts of the Aurora Borealis, elegant Borealis proudly connects with, and represents, our founding family’s history and Norwegian heritage.
A first glimpse of its two great icons - the famous Harbour Bridge and soaring Opera House - will prove a special memory (the harbour ferry offers the best views!). Stroll through Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens or slip away to legendary Bondi or one of countless other nearby Pacific beaches.
A first glimpse of its two great icons - the famous Harbour Bridge and soaring Opera House - will prove a special memory (the harbour ferry offers the best views!). Stroll through Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens or slip away to legendary Bondi or one of countless other nearby Pacific beaches.
Newcastle might not be as familiar as Sydney or Melbourne, but Australia’s second oldest city still has much to offer: interesting historical and architectural sites, artistic and cultural gems, plus beautiful beaches bathed in New South Wales’ glorious sun-soaked climate. Discovered by Lieutenant John Shortland while chasing escaped convicts from Sydney, Newcastle quickly became one of Australia’s most important cities. A major exporter of coal, it was dubbed the ‘hellhole’ by the criminals who were sent there to mine as a punishment. While still considered a ‘coal city’, the Newcastle of today is now a thriving, modern metropolis is a true delight. Architectural highlights include the 19th century Christ Church Cathedral, which was rebuilt after the 1997 earthquake. The iconic Fort Scratchley is famous for being the only place Australians opened fire on an enemy (the Japanese in World War II). Newcastle’s exciting cultural scene includes the Civic Theatre – one of Australia’s great grand theatres, the bustling Darby Street Precinct, the Foghorn Brewhouse – which crafts delicious local beers, the Art Gallery and the Maritime Centre. Nature comes to life in the rainforest of Blackbutt Nature Reserve, Hunter Wetlands Centre and Glenrock State Reserve, which are in easy reach. For sun-worshippers Dixon Park is popular for surfing, while Horseshoe Beach, Merewether Beach and Newcastle Beach are some of Australia’s best beaches. Nobby’s Beach is a particular hot spot for swimming and sunbathing.
Cairns is the gateway to Queensland’s tropical north, and renowned for its sultry climate and laid back ambience. The city used to be popular with visitors who came in search of gold, but now they visit to discover something even more precious: the Great Barrier Reef. The unmissable coral reef is easily accessible via boat trips from the city. The focal point of Cairns itself is the 2km-long Esplanade, with its cafés, bars, piazzas, fine historic buildings and swimming lagoon. The Tanks Art Centre and nearby Flecker Botanical Gardens are worth uncovering, while the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park recounts stories of indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait people through music and dance. Cairns is also home to the beautiful Wet Tropics Rainforest. The best way to see this natural wonder is to take the Kuranda Scenic Railway north from the city, passing over bridges and through tunnels carved from the cliff-face and to the village of Kuranda. From there, the 7.5km Skyrail Rainforest Cableway offers a ride above the rainforest canopy in glass-sided gondolas.
Spread out across the hillsides and beautiful northern shores of Papua New Guinea’s picturesque Milne Bay, Alotau assumes a rarely visited, undiscovered feel. Visitors to Alotau can connect with nature amongst the town’s scenic surroundings and fauna-rich waters; unwind at the untrodden volcanic black sand beaches; and immerse themselves in authentic local culture. Alotau natives are proud of Papua New Guinea’s age-old heritage and traditions, which are celebrated at the not-to-be-missed Alotau Cultural Festival – an extravaganza of tribal music, dance and chanting. Also worth visiting for a taste of traditional life is Alotau’s bustling town market. Although Alotau is relaxed and laid back today, it was an entirely different place just a few decades ago. In World War II, Alotau was on many occasions at the centre of fierce and bloody battles between Australian Allied soldiers and Japanese troops. It was here where the Japanese suffered its first decisive defeat in the Pacific Theatre. The Australian War Memorial offers a detailed description of the Battle of Milne Bay, while the Turnbull Memorial – a short distance from Alotau – commemorates the death of Australian Squadron Leader Peter St George Turnbull, who was killed during the battle.
The Indonesian island of Komodo, is a combination of rusty-red volcanic hills, savannah and forests, and is the rugged habitat of the 3m-long Komodo dragon monitor lizard. Komodo National Park covers this entire region and is home to more than 4,000 dragons. The surrounding seas have extensive coral reefs, mangrove swamps and sea-grass beds, and are occupied by a variety of sharks, dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and whales. The park was established to protect the unique Komodo Dragon and the local ecosystem. Visits to the island are strictly controlled and only a limited number of organised tours can gain access.
Although situated just 21 miles off the east coast of bustling Bali, Lombok has managed to remain relatively untouched by those who flock to Indonesia’s myriad of mesmerising islands, despite being just as beguiling and beautiful as its better-known neighbours. This only adds to Lombok’s appeal though; the island offers those who are lucky enough to visit a sense of uncovering somewhere ‘undiscovered’, hidden away from the world, and rewards those who take time to explore with unspoilt beaches and spectacular volcanic landscapes. On the west coast, Lembar provides a wonderful first glimpse of Lombok’s outstanding natural beauty; this quiet town is surrounded by a gorgeous panorama of verdant valleys and inviting azure inlets that tempt those who arrive via the island’s main port to explore further. From Lembar many of Lombok’s main attractions are within reach. An exploration of the west coast for example can include time at Senggigi, with it’s glorious beaches; a stop at Mataram, the island’s capital, to marvel at impressive temples and flora-rich gardens; or even a visit to Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia’s second highest volcano and a haven for wildlife such as birds and monkeys.
When Sir Stamford Raffles claimed Singapore for the British East India Company in 1819, it was nothing but a swampy, thickly jungled island populated by a handful of fishermen and sea gypsies. Stragetically placed as the tip of the Malay peninsula, there had long been visits from a variety of sea craft, including Chinese junks, Indian vessels, Arab dhows and Portuguese battleships – Raffles' arrival merely formalised Singapore's status as a port of international renown. Merchants of every race, colour and creed were quickly drawn to the island, and by 1911, Singapore had a population of 250,000 people, comprising 48 races, speaking 54 languages!
Thailand is known as the 'land of smiles', whose gentle people are the friendliest you could ever meet. So be assured of a warm welcome in Phuket. This increasingly popular retreat, still mercifully unspoilt, boasts a stunningly colourful landscape of lush tropical plantations, dramatic mountain rainforest and endless white beaches.
Known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, serene Kochi on India’s south-western coast has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Formerly the port of Cochin, Kochi grew to prominence as an outlet for the spice trade in the 14th century, and is most famous for the iconic-cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that billow out across its harbour.[ReadMoreMob] This ancient trading centre is a melting pot of cultures and religions, evident in the town’s buildings, which range from the oldest synagogue in the British Commonwealth to the austere Mattancherry Palace, built by the Dutch but influenced by the Portuguese.
Mormugão is the main port of the tiny State of Goa, renowned for superb beaches and a colonial history that combines the best of Indian and Portuguese culture. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, Goa showcases a mix of scenic beauty and architectural delights, from golden beaches and spice plantations to striking temples and bustling markets. The Arch of the Viceroys was built in 1597 to commemorate Vasco da Gama’s arrival in India, while the nearby Church of St. Cajetan is modelled on St. Peter’s in Rome. Opposite the magnificent Se Cathedral at Old Goa – one of the largest churches in Asia, is the Basilica of Bom. Here the remains of Francis Xavier, a founder of the Jesuit order and patron saint of Goa, lie in a silver casket next to the altar. Yoga is king in Goa, and the crop of spiritual activities available to visitors grows each year. T’ai chi sessions, Reiki healing courses, meditation, and most forms of spiritual exploration are all practised freely. The scents, spices and flavours of Goa’s cuisine is the area’s other main attraction, and the Indo-Portuguese influence will surprise and tantalise even seasoned travellers.
After three days crossing the Arabian Sea, Mumbai appears off the port bow. Once a cluster of seven islands covered with coconut palms, Mumbai is a vibrant city where industy, skyscrapers, bustling bazaars, religious sites like the Jain Temple and the closely guarded Parsi Towers of Silence all exist happily side by side. Also see the Victoria Railway Terminus; the Royal Bombay Yacht Club and the Ghandi Memorial Museum. Named after the goddess Mumbai, this relic empire is dominated by the Gateway of India.
This relatively new tourist destination has gained popularity as a tourist location in recent years and is often a favourite with the rich and famous. Dubai has everything from the more modern shopping malls, theme parks and hotels to a taste of Dubai’s culture in the Shindagha and Bastakiya Districts.
Even although Scotland's Cruise Centre is booking holidays for customers all the time, our agent Debbie took a real interest in booking our voyage and was excited at the prospect of the itinerary we had chosen. 1st class, prompt service too.
Mr McDonald / November 2023
I have booking with this company for years and have told lots of family and friends about the fantastic, professional and friendly service you offer. You simply are in my opinion the best - I wouldn't go anywhere else
Mrs Bostock / November 2023
Competitive and helpful. Graham booked our cruise with ease, covered all aspects of the booking and made it simple and understandable.
Mr Hall / November 2023
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