Philippines & Borneo: A First Discovery
An odyssey through the island territories of South-East Asia, to discover the cultural and natural treasures of this fascinating region.
- Package Details
- Itinerary
- Terms and Conditions
A FIRST VOYAGE TO THIS REGION WITH PONANT - INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
For the first time, Ponant invites you to explore the cultural and natural treasures of the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia's Sarawak region on a new voyage along the South China Sea. From historic Vigan to Corregidor in Manila Bay, uncover layers of colonial history and echoes of the Second World War. In Borneo, floating cities reveal a rich heritage of majestic mosques, centuries-old houses and vibrant markets. Nature is equally compelling, from the Puerto Princesa subterranean river and Coron's turquoise lagoons to the pristine beaches of the Balabac Islands and Brunei's lush mangroves, teeming with life.
Package Inclusions:
- Return economy class flights from Australia* to Taipei, with your return journey from Singapore
- Looking for more comfort? Ask us about upgrades to Premium Economy or Business Class.
- Want to explore more of Asia? We can help you extend your stay and customise your journey. - Date: 18-20 May 2027
Taipei layers century-old temples and night markets brimming with street food alongside sleek skyscrapers and teahouses tucked into misty mountain foothills, creating a city where tradition and modernity collide at every turn. - Date: 20 May-01 June 2027 - 12 nights Keelung (Taipei) to Singapore
Discover the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia's Sarawak region on Ponant's inaugural South China Sea voyage, where colonial history, floating cities and vibrant cultures meet spectacular nature, from turquoise lagoons and karst caves to pristine beaches and lush mangroves.
Voyage Style - Timeless Exploration
Timeless Explorations is a collection of trips designed to combine change of scenery, curiosity and relaxation.
- - One included excursion in each port of call
- Landings: By dock, tender boat, or aboard local vessels
- Fine dining in all the restaurants
- All drinks in restaurants, bars and minibars
- 24-hour room service
- Butler service in select suites
- Free and unlimited Wi-Fi service onboard
- Evening events, shows and other activities
- Dedicated excursion team and one or more guest lecturers
- Enrichment program provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
- Access to the fitness area
- Taxes for national parks and conservation areas
- All port and security fees
- Gratuities onboard
Highlights
– Ponant's first voyage exploring the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia's Sarawak region
– A new odyssey along the South China Sea, rich in culture and natural beauty
– Historic ports from Vigan to Corregidor, tracing colonial heritage and WWII history
– Floating cities of Borneo showcasing majestic mosques, traditional houses and colourful markets
– Extraordinary natural wonders including the Puerto Princesa subterranean river and karst caves
– Dramatic cliffs and deep-turquoise lagoons of Coron
– Idyllic, sun-drenched beaches of the Balabac Islands
– Lush mangroves of Brunei, alive with abundant wildlife - Date: 01-03 June 2027
Singapore offers a mix of vibrant hawker markets, lush gardens like Gardens by the Bay, and cultural gems from Chinatown to Little India. - All transfers are pre-arranged for a smooth and stress-free journey.
- 18 May 2027 Premium private transfer from Taipei airport to hotel
- 20 May 2027 Premium private transfer from Taipei hotel to Keelung cruise port
- 01 June 2027 Premium private transfer from Singapore cruise port to hotel
- 03 June 2027 Premium private transfer from Singapore hotel to Changi airport
Itinerary
Day 1 Taipei, Taiwan
Upon arrival in Taipei airport your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Check in to your hotel for two nights.
Day 2 Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei at leisure.
Day 3 Keelung (Chilung), Taiwan
Today, transfer to the port of Keelung to begin your Ponant cruise.
On the north-east tip of Taiwan, the harbour city of Keelung stands on one of the most beautiful coasts on the island. Nearby is the spectacular natural park of Yehliu, famed for its striking rock formations. It's easy to tour the city's historical sites on trails that cross the lush green hills surrounding the harbour from Chung Cheng Park to Fort Ershawan, you can enjoy superb views of Keelung and the coastline. But the main attraction is the Miaokou night market, where you can taste some typically Taiwanese culinary delights.
Day 4 At Sea
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 5 Currimao, Philippines
A small coastal town located in the province of Ilocos Norte, Currimao is a privileged gateway to Vigan, a former Chinese trading port and one of the best preserved Spanish colonial towns in Asia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There, you will discover a unique architectural blend and remarkably well-preserved heritage treasures, such as the baroque Cathedral of Saint Paul and the traditional stone houses on Calle Crisologo. A real journey back into time!
Day 6 Corregidor Island, Philippines
Located at the entrance to Manila Bay, Corregidor Island blends wild nature and historical remnants, offering an atmosphere that is at once peaceful and fascinating. Once the gateway to the transpacific trade facilitated by the Spanish, connecting Acapulco to Manila, it has become a strong symbol of the Second World War. Plunge into this historic sanctuary by discovering its fortifications, the ruins of its barracks and gun batteries, its tunnels and its impressive military memorial devoted to Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers.
Day 7 Manila, Philippines
On first sight, the Philippines' capital shows its highly Americanised Asian megalopolis side, with ultramodern skyscrapers set all along the waterfront. But when you stroll through the cobbled streets of the Intramuros district, you'll discover a different side of Manila, one that's full of old-world charm. An enchanted pause in the middle of urban bustle, Rizal Park's 60 hectares of magnificent green parkland is perfect for recharging your batteries. To see the city from a different angle, take a walk along Roxas boulevard, a popular seaside promenade.
Day 8 Coron, Philippines
Anchored off the extreme north of Palawan in the heart of the Philippines' Calamian Islands, the little island of Coron is an emerald gem adorned with lakes. Among the many activities here, you can explore the shores of Lake Kayangan in a bangka, a traditional outrigger canoe dive in the ï¾ fresh, warm waters of Lake Barracuda. Famous for its limestone cliffs pierced with caves, the island also has an extraordinary cultural heritage. A stopover in Coron offers an excellent opportunity for meeting the indigenous Tagbanua tribe, a fishing and hunting people who ensure their island remains unspoilt. And it has paid off. Coron has retained all its natural wonders
Day 9 Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines
Puerto Princesa, in the centre of Palawan island, is a great place for exploring many of the region's natural attractions. You won't have to go too far before donning your snorkelling kit and swimming with the abundant and richly diverse sealife: off Puerto Princesa, you'll enjoy the breathtaking coral islands of Honda Bay. If you'd like to experience nature in her most spectacular finery, make sure you see the karstic topography of the underground river in Puerto Princesaï¾’s national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 10 Balabac Islands, Philippines
Located at the far south-west of the Philippines, opposite Sabah in Malaysia, the Balabac archipelago is composed of 32 islands forming the southernmost group of Palawan Province. There, you will discover idyllic white sand beaches edged with crystal clear water, a veritable invitation for swimming and relaxation.
Day 11 Muara, Brunei Darussalam
A port town located in north-east Brunei, Muara is a privileged access route towards Bandar Seri Begawan, the country's capital. Developed around the famous village on stilts, Kampong Ayer, the capital is distinguished by its majestic Islamic architecture, symbol of the Sultanate's greatness through its imposing mosques and its impressive royal buildings. Here, tradition and modernity live together in harmony, offering a face of Brunei that is at once historic, spiritual and contemporary.
Day 12 Bintulu, Sarawak, Borneo
Located on the central coast of Sarawak, the old fishing village of Bintulu is now a nerve centre of the Malaysian oil and gas industry, but also a dynamic town with a remarkably well-preserved cultural and natural heritage. Fall under the spell of its lively traditional markets, its Chinese temples, and its longhouses, living witnesses of its ancestral heritage. Bintulu also offers privileged access to the Similajau National Park, a veritable tropical nature sanctuary in which idyllic beaches, lush mangroves and wildlife make up a fascinating landscape, its beauty intact.
Day 13 Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo
On the island of Borneo, the state of Sarawak invites you to live out your dreams of adventure. The largest state in Malaysia is home to some of the oldest forest on the planet and we can easily understand why this little corner of paradise inspired Somerset Maugham, the British writer and traveller, to write one of his novels - The Casuarina Tree. We invite you to follow in the footsteps of the writer and set off to discover the colonial capital of the State: Kuching, which is known as "Cat City" in Malay, where a feline languor does indeed permeate this tantalizingly elusive city. Lying nonchalantly on the banks of the Sungai Sarawak, this little city is proud of its romantic past and its quaint charm and beauty.
Day 14 At Sea
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship's upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 15 Singapore
Upon arrival in Singapore, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Nicknamed the Garden City, Singapore stretches across Malaysia's southern-most region. Experience the vibrant hustle and bustle of this city-state for yourself at the Marina Bay. No too far away is the historic centre, offering up a unique smorgasbord of neoclassical buildings and contemporary towers. Decked out in topiary, the pavements of Orchard Road are also home to countless shopping centres. The colourful markets in Chinatown and Little India are the perfect opportunity to quell hunger pangs in a hawker centre, one of the city's traditional snack bars. Between the two districts, get a slice of history with a trip to the Raffles dock. It was here that Englishman Sir Raffles, the founder of the city, is said to have arrived one fateful day in January 1819.
Day 16 Singapore
Singapore at leisure.
Day 17 Singapore
Check out of your hotel and transfer to Changi Airport for your flight back to Australia.
Terms and Conditions Terms and Conditions apply: All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise, and inclusive of all taxes and discounts. All prices & itineraries are current as of 05 January 2026 & subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change due to availability, currency fluctuations, fuel price, and tax increases. Oceanview and Balcony cabins may have obstructed views, please check with your consultant. From pricing based on Ocean view category SP3, Deluxe Stateroom - Balcony category DEL, Suite - Prestige Suite deck 4 category PR4. Price includes any stated bonus nights, upgrades & package savings, if applicable. All passports, visas, travel permits, and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice, based in economy class from Sydney and are subject to the carriers' flight schedules and conditions. Seasonal and flight routing surcharges may apply. Airfares are based on the lowest available fare, which comes with strict conditions i.e., non-refundable, or non-changeable. Please ask your consultant for pricing on flexible fare options that allow cancellations and/or amendments at a fee. Please call us for prices from other airports. Travel packages advertised may include multiple products provided by several suppliers to provide a travel itinerary. Each component of the package will be treated independent of each other, and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. Hotels may charge resort fees, or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in. Program is subject to change without notice. The itinerary may be modified depending on weather conditions, port authorizations, and applicable government regulations. The excursion program will be finalized closer to your cruise departure and made available on Ponant's website. Osaka port to airport transfer is only available on disembarkation day, if guests wish to extend the stay in Japan and not utilise this transfer, there will be no refund or cash value will be offered, alternate arrangement can be arranged with additional cost. We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty.
Philippines & Borneo: A First Discovery
Includes:- Cruise
- Flights
- Hotel
- Transfers
- Activity










