Across the Eastern Hemisphere: Singapore to Croatia - 2022

PACING:

• This trip is moderately easy paced
• Your 65-day cruise includes 59 nights aboard the 5-star Ocean Odyssey; plus 2 nights at the Conrad Centennial Singapore (or similar), 1 night at the Cinnamon Lodge Habarana (or similar) in Sri Lanka, 1 night at the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa (or similar) in Luxor, Egypt, and 2 nights in Zagreb at the Hotel Esplanade (or similar)
• In addition to your arrival and departure cities, you'll visit 44 ports of call in 16 nations
• There are two days at sea when you have ample time to relax and enjoy the amenities on board your luxury vessel
• We often cruise overnight but some scenic sailing will be conducted during daylight hours

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This is a tour for moderately active travelers. You should be in relatively good health to fully enjoy this tour
• There are several walking tours through historic centers, villages, and traditional souks where uneven steps and cobblestones should be expected
• This cruise tour is not suitable for those who have difficulty walking or require wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Please refer to Vantage's wheelchair and handicapped traveler policy
• Travelers should be able to climb in and out of our tender

TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION:

• Your ship is your main means of transportation between destinations
• All land transportation is conducted on board deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoaches
• Most shore excursions, especially those at ancient and medieval sites and in rural areas, require walking on uneven terrain
• Ride a trishaw in Singapore, an abra in Dubai, and a tuk-tuk in Porbandar

CLIMATE:

• Due to the climate, we advise you to pack sunscreen and moisturizer (in the amounts permitted by TSA regulations) and bring a hat and sunglasses as well. These will be difficult to come by in the Middle East.
• Since the weather is unpredictable, please check weather sites online for 10-day forecasts closer to your departure date to plan your packing accordingly.
• In India the climate is tropical and there is very little variation in temperatures, with high humidity. Expect average daily highs of between 81°–91°F
• On the Arabian Peninsula, depending on the time of year you can expect daytime average high temperatures to run between 70°–100°F. Evenings are always cooler and often quite pleasant since there is no humidity. You will be visiting desert locales where the weather is hot and dry, with little or no rainfall
• The desert (and the sea) can occasionally be windy. A windbreaker, sweater, or light jacket is recommended

CULTURAL IMMERSION:
We will be staying at hotels where you will enjoy world-class luxury and service, so you can expect very high standards of comfort for every step of your journey. However, in spite of the modern sophistication (and downright conspicuous consumption), these are still very conservative, religious societies whose cultural norms are different than ours, and they are ruled by absolute monarchies that strictly enforce the laws. Your Adventure Leader will advise you of the proper protocol wherever you go, but here are some things to consider in advance:

Modest dress is expected of all women and men, and even though you may see foreigners wearing shorts or revealing clothing (especially in the cities), local people may consider this disrespectful and will appreciate your discretion. Bare arms or shoulders are not advised in public places, and ladies should bring a head scarf to wear inside mosques. Long skirts, slacks, or capris that cover your knees are advised for women; men should avoid shorts or tank tops, too. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter certain mosques, and there may be some sites that restrict access by gender.

Because these are Islamic nations, there are strong prohibitions against the use of alcohol. It is absolutely forbidden for locals, and only permitted for foreigners in certain locations. You can purchase alcoholic beverages at restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that are affiliated with international hotels, but not at many smaller local establishments. Bars may require you to show identification at the door, so keep your passport handy when frequenting them. Most of our included dinners will be at venues that do serve wine, beer, and spirits. As a visitor, you may not bring alcohol into the country (it will be confiscated at the airport). If you respect these social norms during your stay, you will be treated as an honored guest by people who are enormously generous, polite, and proud to share their heritage.