SHORE EXCURSIONS

Experience the beauty of one of Bangkok's lesser-known treasures during this full-day visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ayutthaya.

Depart the pier for the 3-hour drive to historic Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya was founded in 1350 AD, and remained the kingdom's capital for 417 years until 1767 AD, when it was conquered and destroyed by the Burmese. Visit the exquisite Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, formerly a popular summer retreat for Thai kings. The Palace includes one of the most photographed buildings in the kingdom, a charming Thai pavilion built over a pond.

Drive to the historic center of Ayutthaya and visit the Historical Park to explore some of Ayutthaya's most famous and interesting ruins. A part of the park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the day, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local hotel.

Explore Bangkok's exotic sites during this memorable visit to the Grand Palace, and the city's main shopping area.

Depart the pier for the drive to the Grand Palace, which showcases the most beautiful example of an ancient Siamese Court. Different palaces were built and named for different occasions; the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, perhaps the most breathtaking of them all. The Buddha is made of translucent green jasper, and the king changes its vestments three times a year during a solemn ceremony.

After a buffet style lunch, a stop will be made at the Gems Gallery, where you can browse among a range of vibrant Thai silks and souvenirs before being transferred back to the pier.

Explore daily life in Bangkok during this picturesque boat trip through the city that focuses on life along Bangkok's canals.

Depart the pier for the drive to Bangkok, where upon arrival you will board a boat for a scenic cruise along the canals, or klongs, of the Chao Praya River. Along the way, you will see the small wooden houses that rise on stilts from the water. You will also encounter many long, flat boats laden with exotic produce and colorful fare plying the waterways, and carrying on trade as they did centuries ago.

Your tour along these fascinating waterways includes a stop at the beautiful Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, and a visit to the Royal Barge Shed, where the impressively ornate ceremonial barges are stored when not in use.

Following your time at the Royal Barge shed, you will transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before driving back to Laem Chabang.

Browse a conservation center with a nursery that breeds sea turtles for release into the ocean and a museum that showcases the life cycles of these marine creatures. The Royal Thai Navy Sea Turtle Conservation Center was established decades ago in response to Queen Siriket’s initiative to raise awareness of the plight of sea turtles, whose numbers were rapidly declining in Thailand. The center releases a staggering 20,000 sea turtles into the surrounding sea each year. Yet the turtles still suffer a low survival rate – as little as 1 in 1,000 – from dangers such as being entangled in commercial fishing nets, ingesting plastic trash and pollution. You will see tanks full of hatchlings, mostly hawksbill and green sea turtles, and discover how, when and where they are typically released into the wild. You may also peruse the displays of nesting sites and see where sick and injured sea turtles are rehabilitated.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how endangered sea turtles are bred at a conservation center for release into the ocean.
• Gain an understanding why sea turtle hatchlings have such a low survival rate in the wild.
• Browse museum displays that show the life cycles of hawksbill and green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Get a genuine feel for river life by exploring the Pattaya floating market, which vendors in small wooden boats supply with all sorts of local goods. The market is divided into four sections, each representing a different region of Thailand. Although just opened in 2008, the market looks much older as it was designed to replicate an ancient floating market, most of which have long been abandoned. During free time at the market, you might sample items such as dragon fruit and mangosteen—the national fruit of Thailand—and linger over a freshly prepared lunch that is characteristic of one of the four regions. With so many aromas enticingly wafting through the air, it will be hard to resist dining. But the floating market offers much more than food. You will also find unusual handicrafts, silverware, handmade bags and silk clothing. The atmosphere couldn’t be more inviting.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Browse the incredible array of merchandise at the Pattaya floating market.
• Get a sense of river life, as the locals purchase items directly from the vendors on boats.
• Marvel at the design of the floating market, a replica of an ancient floating market.

Experience daily life in the fertile agricultural countryside and delve into Thailand’s spiritual side by visiting the area’s most important Buddhist temple. While it will take two hours to reach Chachoengsao, it will be well worth the effort. The Bang Pakong River supplies abundant water to the area, and rice especially flourishes there. As you will discover by browsing the century-old Klong Suan Market with the locals, every imaginable type of food is available. Best of all, many vendors offer samples. For an entirely different perspective of the area, you will visit Luang Pho Sothon, a temple with a revered statue of Buddha that according to legend was found floating down the river. Chances are, you will see worshippers praying for prosperity and others leaving offerings. Women often leave boiled eggs in hopes of becoming pregnant. While wandering about the temple, be sure to notice the artwork, especially the painted murals of religious scenes.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy a leisurely and immensely picturesque drive into the agricultural countryside.
• Browse Klong Suan Market with the locals as they peruse the seemingly endless stalls.
• Visit a beloved Buddhist temple and mingle with the worshippers and pilgrims.

Mingle with the locals in two coastal areas known more for their signature products than their beaches and seaside attractions. You will first visit Ang Sila, an engaging city revered for its hand-carved stoneware, especially granite mortars and pestles used for grinding spices. This prized piece of kitchenware is prevalent throughout Ang Sila, which means “stone basin.” Even so, fishing is the primary industry and most of the local seafood recipes call for spices—preferably ground with a stone mortar and pestle. Sticky rice is the iconic product associated with the Chon Buri province. Served as a signature dessert known as Khao Lam, sticky rice is typically mixed with coconut milk, black beans, sugar and salt before being roasted over an open fire in a stout bamboo tube. As you will discover firsthand at the Nong Mon Market, Khao Lam is a delicious treat any time of the day.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Meander through two beautiful coastal areas known for rather unusual signature products.
• Learn why Ang Sila is revered for its stone mortars and pestles and buy one if you wish.
• Sample the iconic sticky rice dessert long associated with Nong Mon Market.

Experience a new wave of entertainment by watching the outstanding performance of the Thai famous transvestite “Alcazar Show”. This fabulous show of lights, extravagant costumes, music and dance will be sure to entertain.

Dubbed as “the greatest show in Asia” and “legend within the area” this show invites you to experience the wonder of a lifetime. Alcazar has a reputation of full satisfactions for its shows, and this show is no different. You will experience the magic of Alcazar’s state of the art lighting system, surround sound and of course, the lovely “Ladies” performing for their audience.

An approximately 1-hour drive takes you to Pattaya. Entering the city, enjoy a short scenic drive passing some of its livelier areas. On arrival to the theater, your guide will hand out your seating tickets and escort you into the grounds. Taking your seats, the lights will dim, and the show will begin. A performance of a lifetime will be presented by over 400 professional production crew members and a talented cast.

The show lasts for approx. 70 minutes and involves up to 17 different acts including: The Wondrous World, Flowers of China, Hello Vietnam, Persian Dance, The World is Not Enough and The Four Legendary Regions of the Siam Kingdom.

This full-day self-guided tour is ideal for guests who have visited Bangkok before, or feel independent enough to explore it without the assistance of a local guide.

Depart the pier in your air conditioned transportation for a scenic drive to a centrally located area in Bangkok. In Bangkok, enjoy approximately 4.5-hours depending on traffic conditions) of free time for sightseeing and shopping. En route, your guide will provide you with maps and orientation of the area.

At the pre-designated time, return to the meeting point for the return drive.

This escorted transfer is ideal for guests who have visited Pattaya before or who feel independent enough to explore it without the assistance of a local guide.

Depart the pier for an approximately 45 to 60-minutes’ drive (depends on traffic) to Pattaya. En route, your guide will provide maps, an orientation of the area and answer questions you may have.

You will be dropped at the Central Festival Shopping Mall to enjoy approximately 4 hours of free time for sightseeing and shopping. The waterfront mall is centrally located near attractions and restaurants.

Following your free time, you will return to the pre-designated pick-up point and time, for the return drive to the pier.

Experience the ancient beauty of Old Bangkok during this splendid full-day orientation tour of the city. Your tour of Old Bangkok takes you to Wat Suthat, easily identified by the famous giant swing in front of the temple. Admire a renowned collection of old murals from the reign of King Rama III, during the years 1824 to 1851, housed inside the main building, along with a splendid array of gilded Buddha images.

At a local hotel enjoy a buffet lunch and then continue on for a sightseeing drive past the Democracy Monument, the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple, that National Museum, the Sacred City Pillar, Wat Pho Reclining Buddha Temple, the Royal Pier, Wat Arun and various government offices, with a photo stop at the City Pavilion.

Your visit to Bangkok concludes with a visit to a souvenir shop where you can browse among a range of vibrant Thai silks & souvenirs before heading back to the pier.

Experience the mystic ancient beauty, tradition and art of Thailand during this visit to the Wooden Pavilion. Head to North Pattaya to visit this pavilion also known as “The Sanctuary of Truth”. It is a mystical building constructed according to ancient Thai specifications and the largest wood-carved structure in Thailand.

Designed as a pagoda-shaped pavilion, the building is over 340 feet tall. It is a fusion of religion, culture and art. Originally crafted entirely from Thailand's native teak, parts of the Wooden Pavilion have been replaced by the more durable redwood to withstand the ravages of the salt air. Every square inch of the building is covered with intricate and detailed wooden sculptures depicting the Ancient Vision of Earth, Ancient Knowledge and Eastern Philosophy. Once inside, you’ll have an opportunity to view the cavernous inner chapel, which reveals scenes from Chinese, Hindu and Buddhist traditions.

After exploring the pavilion and surrounding grounds, you will drive back to the ship along the beautiful Pattaya Beach Road with a stop at a shopping store where you can browse among a range of vibrant Thai silks and souvenirs.