South East Asia covers a wide area whose waters are scattered with idyllic islands, so a cruise enables you to get a wonderful overview of this remarkable region. It's an incredibly diverse place, home to some of the friendliest, most welcoming people you will ever meet.

Thailand's capital Bangkok is an eclectic mix of stunning palaces, shimmering temples and atmospheric markets, while further north the pace of life is slower, and the green hills surrounding Chiang Mai are perfect for excursions into more rural areas. To the south, you'll find beautiful Islands such as Koh Samui and Koh Phi Phi, where the beaches are tantalisingly white and the waters are impossibly clear.

Malaysia, Thailand's southern neighbour, has the rice paddies of the Cameron Highlands, the ancient Taman Negara rainforest, great beaches and the vibrant city of Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia also shares the wildlife paradise of Borneo with Indonesia and the tiny Sultanate of Brunei. The Indonesian archipelago is made up of 17,508 islands, and is littered with volcanoes, as are the Philippines further east. The Philippines is also home to the spectacular Banaue rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

October to February is the best time to visit the west coast of Thailand and particularly Myanmar which can be reached on 14 night itineraries departing from Singapore. December to April is a pleasant time visit the areas around the Gulf of Thailand, Java Sea and South China Sea.