Bali to Bangkok with Regent Seven Seas cruise

This morning, you'll join your guide for a half-day tour of Ubud's temples and nearby sights. The afternoon is spent learning to cook some famous Balinese dishes with a traditional cooking class.

Today, you'll travel the back roads to see the Balinese people going about their daily lives as well as some less-visited parts of the island. One of your stops will be Lake Bratan, a picturesque caldera lake known for its cooler climate and the iconic Ulun Danu Bratan Temple on its shores. On the way back to Ubud, take the meandering drive to see the dramatic terraced rice fields of Jatiluwih.

You'll be taken to the beautiful Jimbaran Bay today to enjoy some time relaxing at the beach.

Relax today at your hotel or explore the local area. This afternoon, your guide and driver will collect you to drive south through the Bukit Peninsula to the stunning cliff temple of Uluwatu. Watch the sunset over the Southern Ocean, meet the local monkeys that roam around the site, and experience a traditional Kecak dance performance at the temple. You'll return to Jimbaran this evening.

Spend today in South Bali, where you can kick back on white-sand beaches in the resort town of Nusa Dua or explore Denpasar City, Bali’s capital. With your private driver-guide, you might visit a temple, museum, or Bajra Sandhi, a Hindu bell-shaped monument that commemorates the historical struggles of the Balinese people. Or, wander Bali’s busiest market, Badung, to pick up batik sarongs and handmade terracotta. This afternoon you’ll board your ship and settle into your suite before watching Benoa port shrink away.

You arrive this morning in the capital of East Java province, Surabaya. Today’s activities are designed to give you a deeper understanding of its history and culture. With a guide, you could visit the House of Sampoerna for an insight into Indonesia’s Dutch colonial past, wander the streets of the Arab Quarter, or explore the ruins of the Majapahit Empire, one of the last Hindu-Buddhist empires. Then, dive into Surabaya’s street-food scene on a guided tour, sampling delicacies like rawon, a black beef soup with salted duck eggs.

Your next stop is Semarang, on the north coast of Java — a gateway to the island’s central mountainous interior. You could take a steam-powered train to a hillside coffee plantation to learn about the drink’s introduction to Java in the 1600s, or ride horseback along forested trails to visit Hindu temples. You could also visit UNESCO-listed Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple. Constructed from two million intricately carved volcanic rocks in the 9th century, it sits on a hill and seems to rise from the surrounding jungle.

Welcome to Indonesia’s capital and largest city, Jakarta. Dive straight into its most atmospheric corners and wander through Old Batavia, where Dutch era warehouses, leafy squares and the city’s old town hall hint at centuries of maritime trade and cultural crossroads. For a completely different perspective, you may opt to head to Chinatown with its ornate temples and spice-laden food stalls that showcase Jakarta’s rich Chinese heritage.

You begin your journey to Malaysia, spending your first day at sea. From paddle tennis to Pilates sessions, there are plenty of activities to try. Breathe in the fresh sea air with a few laps on the ship’s full-circle running track, or head to the top deck to hone your skills on the putting green. As twilight approaches, pitch yourself at the pool bar with a martini shaken to icy perfection and watch the ever-changing blues of the sea.

Sailing into Port Klang opens the door to a day of captivating contrasts in and around Kuala Lumpur. Enjoy a classic city tour to take in the main sights, including ornate temples, the National Monument, and, of course, the soaring Petronas Towers that define the skyline. For something more serene, head to Putrajaya, where elegant bridges, grand government buildings and the tranquil Agricultural Heritage Park offer a greener, contemporary side of Malaysia.

You reach Singapore — your home for the next two days. So many cultures have left their mark here, creating a city that’s diverse in its art, food, and atmosphere. With a guide, you can tour historic landmarks, including the city’s oldest Hindu temple, or mingle with locals in a traditional wet market as they haggle for seafood and spices. Singapore comes to life at night — we suggest riding a trishaw through Chinatown or taking the Night Safari tram to see nocturnal wildlife like Bornean bearded pigs.

Singapore is rich in greenery, and you can see this in the city’s many nature trails, parks, and skyscrapers dressed in vertical gardens. You could explore the UNESCO-listed botanical gardens, home to 60,000 orchid species, or join an eco-tour of the city — you’ll discover a mechanical forest of 18 supertrees that generate solar power, collect rainwater, and nurture 163,000 plants. Toast the day with a rosy Singapore Sling at Raffles’ historic Long Bar, where the drink was invented in 1915.

A day at sea aboard Seven Seas Explorer invites you to slow down and savour the ship itself. Wander the decks to admire the curated art collection, linger over a long lunch on the open-air terrace, or enjoy a leisurely swim with wide-open ocean views. Join a friendly trivia round, browse the onboard boutiques, or settle into the Observation Lounge as live musicians set a relaxed afternoon mood. As evening arrives, sip cocktails on deck and watch the horizon shift through the soft blues of twilight.

Welcome to Kota Kinabalu, a destination that seamlessly blends scenery, wildlife and local colour. Head out to Kinabalu Park for views of the majestic peak, or head south for a Klias Mangrove cruise where proboscis monkeys and fireflies bring the riverside to life. For something closer to town, meet Borneo’s native wildlife at Lok Kawi before browsing the nearby handicraft market for local creations or enjoy a panoramic drive around the including visits to the striking City Mosque, sleek Tun Mustapha Tower and stunning Tanjung Aru beach.

Muara is one of Southeast Asia’s lesser-visited cruise ports, making a day here feel unique. A Brunei Heritage Tour reveals the country’s heritage, from the Maritime Museum and riverside Tamu Kianggeh market to a boat ride into Kampong Ayer, the world’s largest stilted water village, where you’ll enjoy tea in a local home. You may also choose to discover the Royal Regalia Museum and stop for photos at key landmarks. Alternatively, a cultural tour offers a deeper look at Kampong Ayer and Brunei’s remarkable royal heritage.

Cruising the South China Sea today gives you a chance to unwind after busy days in Singapore. You might sit for high tea scored by a string quartet, indulge in a caviar facial at the spa, or spend hours curled up in the library with a book. Come evening, you have five restaurant options to choose from — you might like to dine alfresco on grilled seafood or banquet on beef rib and champagne in the steakhouse.

Docked in Phu My, you’re perfectly placed to explore the vibrancy of Ho Chi Minh City. See Saigon through local eyes by zipping through hidden alleyways on a guided scooter ride or sharing a coffee with an artist who brings the city’s worn façades to life. If you prefer a slower pace, delve into the century-old religion of Caodaism with a temple visit and vegetarian lunch, or practice yoga in a downtown park.

After docking in your final port, you can explore the temples, palaces, waterways, and markets of Thailand’s capital. Your specialist can help you select activities beyond the stand-out attractions. You could learn the slow art of t’ai chi in an urban park or enjoy a reflexology treatment while floating along the Chao Phraya River. Grazing at street food markets is a way of life in Bangkok, and we suggest trying the fiery pad kee mao (drunken noodles heaving with holy basil and chillies).

You’ll disembark your ship here in Bangkok and meet your driver for your transfer through the city to your hotel. The rest of your day is then at leisure to explore. We recommend starting your time in Bangkok with vibrant evening markets and street food.

Today is an early rise as you are met by your guide for a small orientation of the city, as you explore the highlights of Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and local areas as you navigate by various forms of public transport, whether that's by tuk-tuk, Skytrain or water taxis. The city can result in sensory overload, so you might like to escape to the countryside. You can see life through the eyes of a resident on a guided tour of a Buddhist temple and rural market, where you can mingle with locals. If wildlife’s your thing, you could visit a sanctuary that cares for rescued Asian elephants or a conservation reserve where endangered sea turtles are bred for release into the ocean.

Transfer to the airport today by private transportation, for your international flight returning home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.