Asia Cruise

Enjoy Abu Dhabi’s waterfront with an evening stroll in summer or afternoon walk in winter. To savor The Corniche’s dramatic skyline from the water, board Le Royal Meridien’s sleek Shuja Yacht for a seafood dinner cruise.

It's not the Venice of the East anymore, but Bangkok's life still revolves around waterways. Express boats offer cheap sightseeing, long-tail boats tour private groups around the city's canals, and converted teakwood rice barges offer lunch and dinner cruises.

Take advantage of Bodrum’s coastal location to cruise the Mediterranean. Cobra Queen runs trips in gulets (traditional Turkish wooden yachts). From navigating to cooking, the ship’s crew provides for your every need.

Hop aboard a glass-enclosed boat with Bateaux Dubai cruises for a 3-hour tour of the city via Dubai Creek. For those seeking a more romantic option, book a dinner cruise.

Many companies offer half-day boat cruises that include dolphin sightings, lunch, and drinks. John’s Boat Tours, a local operator along Candolim Beach, even promises a “no dolphin, no pay” guarantee.

Travel downriver from Champasak to this inspiring 66-square-mile island. Expect gentle hills, paddy fields, old temples and self-sufficient communities working the land and netting fish in the surrounding waters. Green Discovery runs a shuttle bus service from Pakse to the boat landing opposite the island.

With water always 85-95° F, the entire country is practically a dive site. September is best for whalesharks and hammerheads, and manta season runs from May to October. All resorts have dive centers with standard sites, but renting a yacht and crew and dropping into the cobalt blue wherever you wish is unforgettable.

Take a sunset cruise on a traditional dhoni boat. You’ll drink champagne, dance to Maldivian music performed by your crew, and (if the gods cooperate) watch a pod of dolphins racing mere feet from your bow. Inquire with your resort’s concierge to book a tour.

Take advantage of Bodrum’s coastal location to cruise the Mediterranean. Cobra Queen runs trips in gulets (traditional Turkish wooden yachts). From navigating to cooking, the ship’s crew provides for your every need.

This favorite resort among yachters is a base for many gulet cruises. Enjoy the picturesque harbor lined with restaurants, and head to Bar Street to dance the night away; a bazaar overflows into adjacent streets. Daily ferries to Rhodes in Greece.