Known as the "Pearl of Thailand," Phuket offers pristine beaches, lush vegetation, traditional villages and seascapes of huge limestone pillars that rise above the turquoise waters of Phang-Nga Bay. With a culture all its own, it combines Chinese and Portuguese influences with that of indigenous ocean-going people. Phuket Town is the island’s capital located in the southeast. The architecture features the attractive Sino-Portuguese style which is reflected in the spacious residences built by wealthy Chinese tin barons as testimony to their success. Visitors come because of the glorious beaches, especially those on the west coast. Patong Beach is about a 45-minute drive from the port and offers a wide selection of watersports. Phuket still casts its spell on all who come to its shores.
Excursions
At your Leisure in Phuket (Car & Driver Only)
Enjoy a private chauffeur-driven luxury sedan with driver for “At Your Leisure” touring. You decide where you want to go and what you want to see.
Inclusions:
• Transfers in private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Local bottled water
Exclusions:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
Stories of Phuket Old Town - 4 hours
Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences.
Visit Chin Pracha, one of the oldest houses on the island built in 1904. Iconic films such as “Indiana Jones,” “Heaven & Earth” and many others, were filmed in this house.
Continue driving to a viewpoint at the top of Rang Hill, which offers scenic views over Phuket Town. Then head to Wat Chalong, one of the island’s most famous temples. Learn a bit about Buddhist beliefs and customs and hear the interesting story of the gilt statues of the monk-hero Luang Pho Chaem and his aid Luang Pho Chuang. After exploring the temple, return to the ship.
Inclusions:
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water
Exclusions:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages
Duration: 4 hours
Phuket Old Town and Scenery - 8 hours
Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences.
Visit Chin Pracha, one of the oldest houses on the island built in 1904. Iconic films such as “Indiana Jones,” “Heaven & Earth” and many others, were filmed in this house.
Continue to Saphan Hin, a recreational park that houses a tin mining monument dedicated to Australian Captain Edward Thomas Miles, the man who brought the first dredge to Phuket in 1909. Then visit the Chinese shrine in the park to discover a traditional place of worship.
Then head to Wat Chalong, one of the island’s most famous temples. Learn a bit about Buddhist beliefs and customs and hear the interesting story of the gilt statues of the monk-hero Luang Pho Chaem and his aid Luang Pho Chuang.
Finally, make a stop at Laem Phromthep, a stunning coastal viewpiont that offers breathtaking views of the Andaman Sea. Transfer back to the ship.
Inclusions:
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water
Exclusions:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages
Duration: 8 hours
Life of Old Phuket - 4 hours
Meet your professional local guide to begin your private experience of Phuket. Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences.
Walk along the old streets of town and feel the charm of lives lived a century ago around Thalang, Dibuk and Krabi roads. Visit Thai Hau Museum to learn more about the history of the island.
Continue to a Chinese shrine set in a peaceful spot along Phang Nga Road. Despite being in the center of town, the shrine remains unaffected by the hustle and bustle. Then drive to a viewpoint at the top of Rang Hill to admire scenic views over Phuket Town before returning to the ship.
Inclusions:
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water
Exclusions:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages
Duration: 4 hours
Phuket Rubber Plantation, Gibbons and Old Town - 8 hours
Meet your professional local guide to explore some of the beautiful natural scenery and cultural highlights of Phuket. Visit a rubber plantation to learn about the arduous work of collecting sap and transforming it into sheets of rubber. Then continue to Bang Pae waterfall to admire the tropical greenery and observe the wildlife at the nearby Gibbon Rehabilitation Project.
Explore the old town, which prospered during the 16th to 18th centuries due to a booming tin-mining industry. The town features beautifully preserved Sino-Portuguese architecture and is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese influences.
You may stop for lunch on your own account at Blue Elephant restaurant, serving traditional Thai cuisine. After lunch, stop by to see the Big Buddha temple and enjoy the scenic views before returning to the ship.
Optional Costs:
• Lunch at Blue Elephant including two units of drinks (water, juice, soft drink)
Inclusions:
• Sightseeing and transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional English-speaking local guide
• Entrance fees for listed sites
• Local bottled water
Exclusions:
• Expenses of a personal nature such as gratuities to guides and drivers
• Meals and beverages
Duration: 8 hours
Phuket Port
Meet with guide at the ship docking and transfer to town. Car and guide is at disposal.
Limited area: Phuket
Duration: Within 4 hours OR within 8 hours
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
| Inclusive of: |
Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide
· Cold towels and water on car
· Dock permit
· Tips & gratuities
|
· Thailand visa (US/ CA Passport holders do not need visa to Thailand)
· Accommodation with daily breakfast
· Entrance fees
· All meals
· All flights
· Personal expenses
· Travel insurance
· Other services not listed in inclusive column |
Phuket Town Sightseeing
Disembark the ship and meet your guide. Depart on a drive along the Phuket coastline past Karon Beach and Kata Beach to a viewpoint where you can see Phuket’s three most beautiful beaches. Continue to Promthep Cape at the southernmost point of Phuket for its best viewpoint of the coastline. Drive by Rawai Beach and visit Wat Chalong, Phuket’s largest and most revered temple, built at the beginning of the 19th century. Continue on to Nakkerd Hill to see one of the island’s iconic landmarks, the 45m (147ft) tall Big Buddha, impressively layered with beautiful Burmese white jade marble. After enjoying a tasty Thai set lunch at a local restaurant by the sea (non-alcoholic drink included), stop at a cashew factory to see how the nuts are grown and processed. Drive back to Old Phuket to see the charming Sino-Portuguese shophouses on Thalang and Debuk Roads, reflecting the architecture of people who came to Phuket centuries ago for its tin mining industry. Finally, visit Sapanhin, a beautiful public park by the sea popular with local families on weekends. Stop by the nearby Chinese shrine before returning to the port and your ship.
NOTES:
- Suggested departure time: 11:00.
- Tour duration: 07 hours.
- Timing may be changed without prior notice, depending on local conditions such as weather, traffic and / or other conditions.
Meals: None
TOUR INCLUSIONS
| Inclusive of: |
Non-inclusive of: |
· Private transfers and transportation with Local English speaking guide
· Cold towels and water on car
· Dock permit
· Tips & gratuities
|
· Thailand visa (US/ CA Passport holders do not need visa to Thailand)
· Accommodation with daily breakfast
· Entrance fees
· All meals
· All flights
· Personal expenses
· Travel insurance
· Other services not listed in inclusive column |
