Gilded Equator – Phuket, Bali & Fremantle

About this cruise

12 nights starts to feel like a proper adventure. You leave Singapore on September 28, 2027 and the route takes you through Klang, Pulau Penang Island, Phuket, Benoa and Fremantle at a pace where there's never any need to rush. You get off in Fremantle, which is a good excuse to tack on a few days on land. You do all the exploring first, then the last few days are at sea. It's like a built-in wind-down. The Southeast Asia route takes in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Australia, 4 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. Don't rush through Fremantle, which is known as Perth's funky port town of craft beer and heritage. Around 11 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. Sapphire Princess keeps you well fed. 14 places to eat, with 7 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. There are enough performances, events, and social mixers on a cruise this length that you couldn't do them all if you tried. And that's a good problem. This one's for people who really want to switch off. No half measures. Block out the calendar. If you can, add a night in Singapore before boarding. It's a good city to wander. The autumn timing is underrated too. Good weather, calmer seas, and a more relaxed ship. All told, 5 ports across 12 nights covers a lot.