Luxury Travel Advisor - January 2008 - (Page 49) Give your cruise clients an in-depth look at some of Asia’s most awe-inspiring ports of call, from Bangkok to Singapore and everything in between. BY LAUREN PRICE Singapore is a vibrant city of Asian tradition amid gleaming, high-rise towers, shopping malls, street markets and breathtaking flora. Steer clients to Arab Street and Little India (particularly near Serangoon Road) for hunting down bargains—it’s jam-packed with tourists, but we discovered shops worth browsing, such as Far East Legend on South Bridge Road, where we snagged an antique ruby ring and an old Chinese porcelain blue-and-white pillow. For Jimmy Choo- and haute couture-seeking shoppers, suggest Takashimaya on Orchard Street and Raffles City Shopping Center on North Bridge Road. Night owls should head to the upscale Bazaar at Clarke Quay nighttime market (www. thisandthatbazaar.com). Sightseeing standouts include the Night Safari (www.nightsa fari.com.sg), a group of restored warehouses filled with stores, restaurants and wine bars aplenty at Boat and Clarke Quays, and the about-to-open observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer (www.singaporeflyer.com.sg). Tip: We loved our day of private touring with Lili Limat from World Express (www.worldex press.com.sg); for VIPs, contact Managing Director Darren Tan (darren@worldexpress.com.sg). In the Marina Centre, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (www.ritzcarlton.com) has bragging rights for the largest guest rooms around (they average between 550 and 650 square feet) and cool in-room amenities: raised feather beds for better bird’s eye views, large picturewindowed bathrooms with Bulgari toiletries and a Technology Butler for solving gadget glitches. The hotel is home to nearly 4,200 works of contemporary art (said to be among the finest collections in Southeast Asia) and includes works by Frank Stella, Andy Warhol and Dale Chihuly. One-bedroom Club Premier Suites are their most popular accommodations, not just for size but for the waterfront views. Families should book one of the 1,700-square-foot, two-bedroom Presidential Suites; they feature grand living and dining areas. One-bedroom Millenia Suites are also grand at 1,078 square feet, but the best in the house is the 2,347-square-foot, two-bedroom Ritz-Carlton Suite. Brimming with museum-quality art, this butler-serviced beauty serves up wrap-around waterfront and cityscape views, large living and dining areas and a separate pantry. All of these suites provide access to the 32nd-floor Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge (as do Deluxe Kallang Bay and Deluxe Marina Bay Club View rooms), which offers five complimentary culinary and beverage services daily, an open bar, computer work stations and a dedicated concierge team. Butler service is available upon request for all rooms, as are the services of a Bath Butler, who can draw a tubful of aromatic and therapeutic oils, topping it off with champagne and a bowl of strawberries and cream. For clients seeking their inner child, bubble baths also are on the extensive menu of bath services. All rooms and suites can be booked over the GDS, except for the Ritz-Carlton Suite, which must be booked by telephone or e-mail (65-6434-511; rc.sinrz. reservations@ritzcarlton.com). For VIPs, contact General Manager Allan Federer (allan. federer@ritzcarlton.com). Tip: All Marina Bay-facing rooms are even-numbered. The Fitness Centre and Spa features five treatment rooms, along with hot and cold plunge pools. Back, Swedish, Shiatsu and aromatherapy massages are the most requested services, especially with Jeslyn—they are ACCESS: WHO SAILS TO ASIA OCEANIA CRUISES www.oceaniacruises.com Nautica offers 15-, 21-, 24-, 32- and 35-day cruises through Asia with departures from Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong and Rome, February 29 through November 19, 2008. SILVERSEA www.silversea.com Silver Whisper offers nine-,13-, 14-, 15-, 16- and 18-day cruises through Asia with departures from Auckland, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore and Sydney, January 5 to December 20, 2008. CRYSTAL CRUISES www.crystalcruises.com Serenity offers 11-, 12-, 14- and 17-day cruises with departures from Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney from February 27 through March 27, 2008. Symphony sails 11-, 15- and 16-day itineraries with departures from Mumbai, Hong Kong and Singapore from March 21 to April 25, 2008. REGENT SEVEN SEAS www.rssc.com Mariner offers 14-,15- and 17-day cruises, departing from Hong Kong, Osaka, Seward and Singapore from September 18 to November 2, 2008. Voyager offers 13-, 14- and 20-day cruises from February 9 to March 13, 2008. SEABOURN www.seabourn.com Spirit sails eight-, 14-, 16- and 18-day cruises through Asia with departures from Hong Kong and Shanghai from January 15 to December 20, 2008. SEABOURN SPIRIT (pictured in Asia) will sail a num- ber of Asia itineraries in 2008. www.luxuryta.com January 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR 49 http://www.oceaniacruises.com http://www.silversea.com http://www.crystalcruises.com http://www.thisandthatbazaar.com http://www.thisandthatbazaar.com http://www.nightsafari.com.sg http://www.nightsafari.com.sg http://www.rssc.com http://www.singaporeflyer.com.sg http://www.seabourn.com http://www.worldexpress.com.sg http://www.worldexpress.com.sg http://www.ritzcarlton.com
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