Ship: Odyssey (ZE)
Itinerary: Bali to Saigon: Komodo, Sulawesi, Borneo, Brunei
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Stroll along perfect white sand beaches as you explore the islands of the South Pacific
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy | Testimonials
| Day 1 : | Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia / Sanur |
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| Day 2 : | Sanur |
| Day 3 : | Sanur / Ubud / Embark Clipper Odyssey |
| Day 4 : | Satonda Island / Sumbawa Island |
| Day 5 : | Sumba Island |
| Day 6 : | Komodo Island |
| Day 7 : | Tiger Islands |
| Days 8-9 : | Optional Overnight Excursion: Toraja, Sulawesi Island OR Palopo & Pare Pare, Sulawesi Island |
| Days 8-9 : | Palopo & Pare Pare, Sulawesi Island |
| Day 11 : | Islands of the Celebes Sea |
| Day 12 : | Tarakan, Kalimantan, Borneo |
| Day 13 : | Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia |
| Day 14 : | Expedition Stop |
| Day 15 : | Muara, Brunei Darussalam |
| Day 16 : | At Sea |
| Itinerary continues - click for full itinerary | |
| Day 18 : | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| Category 1/ A-Deck | Category 2/ Main | Category 3/ Main | Category 4/ Lido | Category 5/ Bridge | Category 6/ Balcony Suite | Owners Suite | ||
| 18 | Mar 15, 2010 | $10,280 | $10,980 | $11,780 | $12,580 | $13,480 | $14,380 | $17,380 |
| Optional Toraja Excursion: $390 per person | ||||||||
| Destinations : Asia, Brunei, Indonesia, South Pacific, Vietnam Activities : Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Snorkeling |
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- All rates are quoted in USD and are based on double occupancy. Single rates may be available at 1.7 times the share rate.
Take a South Pacific cruise aboard the Clipper Odyssey as we travel from Bali to Saigon. Highlights include snorkeling and diving in the clear waters off Bali and Sulawesi, up-close encounters with Komodo dragons on their native island, the traditional hospitality of the Dayak people in Kalimantan, and on Borneo we have the opportunity to observe orangutans at a rehabilitation center in Sabah. View the splendid mosques and palaces of Brunei before disembarking in Saigon for a tour of this bustling port city. Optional extensions to Java and Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
Day 1 : Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia / Sanur
This afternoon we arrive in Denpasar, the capital of Bali, and transfer to our hotel in Sanur. A festive atmosphere permeates the island; it is the day before Nyepi, the Balinese New Year celebrated as a day of silence based on the Hindu rituals of spiritual cleansing. Today, though, the entire population celebrates with noisy revelry and carnival-like processions where large hand-made monsters, called Ogoh-Ogoh, are carried up and down the streets and then burned as a way to exorcise their evil spirit. Observe this lively, colorful, and unique procession, then enjoy dinner and the evening on your own. By 6 a.m. the following morning Bali grows completely silent and remains so for 24 hours.
Day 2 : Sanur
We join the citizens of Bali in observing Nyepi, and spend today in our lovely hotel setting. We enjoy lunch and dinner here, with a briefing on our upcoming adventure. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 3 : Sanur / Ubud / Embark Clipper Odyssey
For centuries, Bali has captivated the imagination of artists, writers, and travelers with its landscapes of emerald terraced rice fields, lush forests dwarfed by the sacred volcano of Mt. Batur, and exquisite Hindu temples. This morning, as Balinese life returns to its lively routine, we drive to Ubud, surrounded by the sacred Monkey Forest, where a major artisan community displays their talents in painting, sculpture, silver-working, and batik. After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy time at leisure for strolling among the countless galleries, small museums, and artisans’ workshops. Transfer to Benoa in the late afternoon to embark the Clipper Odyssey and sail eastward into the Flores Sea.
Day 4 : Satonda Island / Sumbawa Island
This morning we stop at deserted Satonda, a small circular island that is the ancient cone of a volcano. Snorkel over enchanting reefs that boast more than 64 species of coral, or ascend the ridge to view the island’s interior sacred lake. The surrounding trees here are adorned with “wish stones” hung on the branches by hopeful visitors—it is believed that when the wind knocks down your stone, your wish will come true. We return to the ship for lunch as we position to Sumbawa.
Soaring above the landscape on Sumbawa’s north coast, is the massive Tambora Volcano whose 1815 eruption was the largest in recorded history. Zodiacs take us ashore to the small village of Kananga, home to about 500 traditional Muslim fishermen and their families. We are greeted with drumming, dances, and pole-climbing competitions by young, nimble boys.
Day 5 : Sumba Island
Sumba is known for its unique high-peaked architecture, colorful dyed batiks, and elegant woven ikats whose themes include mythical animal motifs. At Waikeilo Village we are greeted with a merapu, welcome ceremony, and enjoy a cultural performance of distinctive singing and drumming. Keep your camera ready as we attend one of Indonesia’s most unusual traditions—the exotic pasola. We walk out onto an open field where island horsemen stage elaborate mock battle scenes, hurtling long spears while riding bareback astride galloping horses.
Day 6 : Komodo Island
Komodo National Park is a sanctuary for the fabled prehistoric giant monitor lizard, the Komodo dragon (known as oras by the locals). We walk along a forested pathway to a viewing area for a close inspection of these enormous reptiles which grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 300 pounds. The surrounding forest is home to Javan rusa deer, the favorite prey of the Komodo dragons, as well as elegant yellow-crested cockatoos, friarbirds, and megapodes. In the afternoon enjoy snorkeling, diving, or a glass-bottom boat ride over the undersea spectacle off splendid “pink beach.”
Day 7 : Tiger Islands
Spend the morning snorkeling and diving among colorful coral reefs that are home to angelfish, fairy basslets, and butterflyfish. This afternoon watch for spinner dolphins as we sail along the coast of Sulawesi.
Days 8-9 : Optional Overnight Excursion: Toraja, Sulawesi Island OR Palopo & Pare Pare, Sulawesi Island
From Palopo, join us for an optional, overland excursion into the highlands of Sulawesi for a two-day exploration of Toraja. We ascend from the east via a stunning mountain road once used by gold smugglers, stopping along the way at villages known for their weavings. The terrain becomes a veritable Shangri-la of rugged mountains and granite outcroppings towering over valleys lush with terraced rice paddies, bamboo groves, and grazing water buffalos.
The Toraja are Christians, yet have retained an intact system of ritual beliefs passed down from their ancestors. Legends say that the early Toraja came from the north, possibly Indochina, and were blown off-course by a storm. Their boat-shaped houses perhaps reflect this seafaring legacy, with a soaring “prow” that slopes skyward.
The Toraja bury their dead in graves chiseled into vertical cliffsides, in keeping with the belief that ancestors repose halfway between heaven and earth. Beside these honeycombed graves, gazing out over the valleys are life-like wooden effigies, providing a receptacle for their souls to guard the gravesites. We walk through several villages and investigate the gravesites, markets, and ornate rice barns of the region. Meals and overnight are at our hotel. The following day, we make our way down 4,000 feet to the west coast where we reboard our ship in Pare Pare in the evening.
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Alternatively, relax on board as our vessel coasts along the shore, passing small islands. We scan the sea for marine mammals, seabirds, and colorful local boats plying their fishing trade. On arrival in Pare Pare we take an afternoon tour of this small port city.
Days 8-9 : Palopo & Pare Pare, Sulawesi Island
Alternatively, relax on board as our vessel coasts along the shore, passing small islands. We scan the sea for marine mammals, seabirds, and colorful local boats plying their fishing trade. On arrival in Pare Pare we take an afternoon tour of this small port city.
Day 11 : Islands of the Celebes Sea
Off the coast of Borneo is the small, unique Berau archipelago of rarely visited idyllic islands and coral reefs barely visible above the water. We plan to make expedition stops at Kakaban or one of the other island gems which form an Indonesian Marine Park. Here, divers find an underwater wonderland, and snorkelers hover over iridescent reefs abounding in gorgonian sea fans and barrel sponges, beautiful nudibranchs, giant clams, and the unusual ghost pipefish. Or, stroll the beaches with our naturalists, watching for seabirds and breeding green turtles.
Day 12 : Tarakan, Kalimantan, Borneo
We arrive in the oil-producing city of Tarakan early this morning and board local boats for the journey up the Kayan river to visit a traditional Dayak village, the original inhabitants of Kalimantan. On arrival we are warmly greeted by villagers in beaded ceremonial attire and elaborate headwear who perform songs and dances for us in the longhouse. Photographic opportunities here are exceptional. An early afternoon departure gives us a chance to relax and listen to enlightening lectures from our expedition staff.
Day 13 : Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
After a late morning arrival, we drive through the modern city of Sandakan set on a beautiful natural harbor. We pass colorful markets and a water village on our way to an area of lowland rain forest, home to the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center. Here, beneath a cathedral-like canopy, we watch young orangutans as they swing through the trees to a feeding platform. These gentle arboreal apes, often orphans, are rehabilitated and taught to live in the wild before eventual release into their natural habitat.
Day 14 : Expedition Stop
This afternoon arrive at an isolated, sparsely-populated island, fanned by lanky coconut palms and fringed by white sandy beaches. Make an expedition stop in the area to snorkel and dive in the clear warm waters.
Day 15 : Muara, Brunei Darussalam
Arrive in the port of Muara this morning and birders set out for a half-day tour to Tasek Merimbun, an ASEAN heritage park. The rest will tour the sultanate of Brunei, a small monarchy encompassing both the ultra-modern capital city of Bandar and ancient villages. We visit the Brunei Museum with its displays of unique tribal artifacts and glittering Islamic art. The Royal Regalia Building highlights the history and memorabilia of the Sultan’s family legacy and on your way back to the ship stop to photograph Brunei’s two most magnificent mosques. Enjoy lunch on board as the ship sails for Vietnam.
Day 16 : At Sea
Relax on board today and enjoy the final lectures in the series.
Day 17 : Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City today and after lunch on board set out for a tour of this bustling city that sits at the crossroads of past and future. Passing by Buddhist, Chinese, and Taoist temples, stop to visit the Presidential Palace, now called Reunification Hall. Time permitting visit the Ben Than market in the Cholon Chinatown District. The ship remains alongside and enjoy your final dinner and overnight on board.
Day 18 : Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your independent flight home.
Ship Description: Odyssey (ZE)
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Odyssey
The Odyssey was built in 1989 in Tsu, Japan, by Japanese craftsmen to the design of a master Dutch yacht designer, Studio Acht, and is eminently suited for the year-round itineraries in the Pacific. These range from as far south as New Zealand and Australia's Great Barrier Reef, to as far north as Japan, the Kuril Islands, and the Russian Far East, including the Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Odyssey measures 340 feet long, 51 feet wide, and has a draft of 14 feet. Staterooms are all outside and average a generous 186 square feet in size, and are furnished with either twin or queen-size beds and a sitting area with a sofa. Each cabin features a spacious bathroom with tub baths and shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, in-room music system, ample wardrobe space, three-sided mirrors, personal safe, refrigerator, and television.
A fleet of Zodiac landing craft can be launched in minutes to take passengers ashore in places where no infrastructure exists. The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art satellite navigation and communication equipment including telephone, fax, and email.
An outdoor swimming pool, dedicated jogging track, and two sun decks offer ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Inside, the spacious public areas of the ship include two lounges, a small library, and a single seating dining room.
An experienced cruise staff, physician, and onboard lecturers accompany all voyages to enhance the passengers’ enjoyment of the places visited.
All meals are prepared to order on board. The ship's chefs, graduates of the finest American culinary schools, combine the highest quality American ingredients with the influences and spices of the places the Odyssey visits. The resulting "fusion cuisine" provides a taste of the destinations visited.
Category 1/ A-DeckA Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area, portholes. Approx. 185 sqft |
Category 2/ MainForward Main Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
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Category 3/ Main Main Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
Category 4/ Lido Lido Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 175 sqft |
Category 5/ BridgeBridge Deck, Outside Double Cabin with sitting area and a window. Approx. 230 sqft |
Category 6/ Balcony SuiteBridge Deck, Outside Suite with private veranda. Approx. 230 sqft |
Owners SuiteBridge Deck, Outside Suite with separate bedroom and private veranda. Approx. 310 sqft |
