Malaysia Exploration

Pricing is based on departure date: 27 November 2027

Sail roundtrip from Singapore to Malaysia’s dynamic cities. Linger longer at Kuala Lumpur’s intricate temples with an overnight stay. Visit UNESCO-listed George Town and unwind amid Phuket’s lush landscapes.

Itinerary Highlights:

Singapore: A modern city-state with an iconic skyline, Singapore blends rapid urbanization with intimate neighborhoods and colorful shophouses. Its diverse population and dynamic food scene, from street hawkers to Michelin-starred restaurants, create a vibrant cultural tapestry. Remarkably, half the island remains green, with spots like Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

As you travel from Port Kelang to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, 37 kilometers (23 miles) to the northeast, it can be hard to believe that the city with a skyline of soaring towers was a small mining town for much of the 19th century. That changed beginning in 1880, when the British moved the capital of Malaya here. Yap Ah Loy—a Chinese-born émigré who rose from miner to political titan—and British politician Frank Swettenham were crucial in turning KL (as it's often called) into a true city. Their program of improvements, including establishing Kuala Lumpur’s first school and building a number of roads, continues to this day. For more than a century, Kuala Lumpur has been determined to become bigger and better.

Malaysia is the very definition of multiethnic and multicultural: Its population is a mix of Chinese, Indians and ethnic Malays, and its art, food, culture and language are influenced by former Portuguese, Dutch and British colonizers. Nowhere is this more evident than in Penang, which was the British Empire’s first settlement in Southeast Asia—the beginning of more than 150 years of British rule, which ended in 1948.

Penang is divided by the Strait of Malacca into Penang Island and, on the Malay Peninsula, Seberang Perai. It’s easy to while away a day in George Town, the island’s capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting ornate historic houses, snapping pictures of its charming streets and breaking for spicy laksa (coconut-curry soup) and kopi peng (iced coffee with condensed milk).

Beyond George Town, Penang has a number of natural gems, including the idyllic Monkey Beach—with its white sand, clear waters and the occasional macaque—and Tropical Spice Garden, a must for anyone with an interest in South Asian cooking.

While some 99 islands make up the Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi, Pulau Langkawi, the largest island, is the destination where cruise ships call (at Porto Malai) and where ferries and flights arrive from Malaysia's mainland, just 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the east. The lush island lies just south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is home to roughly 95,000 people. There's an excellent infrastructure of hotels, international and Malayan restaurants and eco- and adventure attractions that make Langkawi a paradise for visitors looking to enjoy beautiful beaches served up with the exoticness of a Southeast Asian vacation.

Thailand's largest island sits just off the west coast of the mainland, in the glittering Andaman Sea. Thailand was never colonized, but international trade brought Europeans to Phuket (pronounced poo-ket) in the 17th century: The island was rich in tin, which lured Dutch, French, English and Portuguese traders. Their influence is best seen in the architecture of Old Phuket Town, where former mansions have become hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops.

Your Ship: Noordam

Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam dazzles with museum-quality art and lavish staterooms. Guests of this Vista Class ship will have their pick of onboard activities. Sing along to your favorite hits at Billboard Onboard. Enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Center. Or savor the delights of one of our specialty restaurants. The Pinnacle Grill serves the juiciest steak at sea and Canaletto beckons with tantalizing Italian dishes.

* Billboard Onboard - 2 pianos - 60 Years of Chart Toppers - 100s Of Songs.  Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night.

* World Stage - World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director.

* Rolling Stone Lounge - Dance to your favorite songs with one of the best bands at sea. From rock and pop to country and beyond, we provide the perfect playlist live, each and every cruise.

* Onboard Shopping - Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought toyou by Effy.

* Pickleball at Sea - Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association.  

Singapore, Port Kelang (Kuala Lumpur) Overnight, Penang, Porto Malai (Langkawi), Phuket, Singapore

All fares are displayed in NZD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.