The West Borneo Journeys

M/S Panorama II | Malaysia, Brunei & Sarawak

An extraordinary 9-day journey awaits you when you embark on a voyage to Borneo. On board the M/S Panorama II you will discover superb jungle wildlife, grand ancient rainforests and local life that will reawaken your body and soul to the simpler things in life. The cruise will explore some of the most impressive towns and sites, including National Parks in Brunei and Bintulu, where you can get a glimpse of wild orangutans and proboscis monkeys, as well as explore cities such as Kuching. Furthermore, the cruise is taken on a Full board basis and offers guests the opportunity to embark on a range of optional excursions each day, further appreciating cultural riches, traditions, natural landscapes and friendly locals. The 25 cabin M/S Panorama II will ensure your journey is comfortable and safe, and offers a range of facilities to make your stay on board feel like home. Experience the incredible wonders of Borneo, starting either at Kuching Port or Kota Kinabalu.

Itinerary Highlights:

  • Enjoy unique optional excursions discover various wildlife
  • Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve and the Niah National Park
  • Discover the Similajau National Park and the largest river of Malaysia
  • Explore Mukah, the Melanau Heartland and Kuching city
  • Visit the small nation of Brunei
View Full Itinerary
The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys The West Borneo Journeys

  • Duration:

  • 9 Days, 8 Nights

  • Board Basis:

  • Full Board | Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

What's Included:

  • Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC and air- conditioning
  • Full Board: Buffet Breakfast and two meals daily, including Welcome Cocktail, local theme evening, fun BBQ (weather permitting) and Captain’s Dinner
  • Complimentary all day regular/filter coffee, tea and drinking water
  • Use of fishing and snorkelling equipment (subject to availability)
  • English speaking cruise escort

What's Not Included:

  • Beverages (except those stated as included)
  • Shore excursions on the islands or other land excursions
  • Crew tips
  • Wi-Fi (additional charge)
  • Boutique items & gratuities
  • Medical expenses
  • Port charges
  • Expenditures incurred ashore
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, other than those included in the rate

Full Itinerary

Embark: Kuching Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 1

Embarkation on board the M/S Panorama II will begin at 3pm, where you will stay overnight at the port.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Kuching Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 2

On this day you will have the option of choosing between two morning optional excursions, this includes exploring the Bako National Park or a Kuching city tour and of the Semenggoh Wildlife Center. At the Bako National Park, you will discover the world-famous proboscis monkeys, the long-tailed macaques, Borneo bearded bigs and monitor lizards. The Kuching City tour and Semenggoh Wildlife center will enable you to observe techniques developed for the rescue, treatment and retraining and relocation of Orangutans in their natural habitat. Following lunch, you will return to Kuching city where you will enjoy a guided tour exploring the heritage of the city, including the Kuching Waterfront, the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Chinese History Museums and the Sarawak Museum of Art and Natural history. In the afternoon you will get back on board the ship to sail to Lakei island, located nearby, for some relaxation. Overnight will be spent at sea to Mukha.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Mukah Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 3

By midday you will reach Mukah, where after lunch on board you will disembark for an optional half day excursion in Mukah and the Melanau Heartland home of Melanau. On this excursion you will have the chance to visit Lamin Dana, a wonderful traditional Melanau house that is built above water. You will witness their beautiful and intricate costumes and impressive handicraft, before visiting the Sago Factory Chimney, a 19th century chimney of the Sago Palms Factory. Dinner will be enjoyed on board and overnight at anchor.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Mukah – Sibu Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 4

Enjoy an optional full day excursion in Sibu and the Rajan River, which is the largest river of Malaysia. The local life revolves around the busy river filled with river taxis and grocery stores floating on the river. You will begin the morning exploring the Old Sibu markets in the town, visiting the iconic Chinese Pagoda, a7-storey building and learning about the superb longevity of production of handmade noodles. Following lunch, you will go up the river with fast board in the Iban territory. In the late evening you will return to Sibu and Mukah. Overnight will be spend at sea to Bintulu.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Bintulu Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 5

In the morning you will arrive in Bintulu, where an optional excursion will take you to Similajau National Park, 30km from Bintulu, by the sea. Your journey will begin by crossing the Sungei Likau River, which includes an impressive 24 species of mammals, such as banded langurs, gibbons and log-tailed macaques, as well as 185 bird species. Later in the day you will head back to Bintulu, where you will explore Pasar Utama and Pasar Tamu markets. In the late afternoon you will sail to Miri and spend overnight at sea.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Miri Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 6

In the morning you will disembark the Panorama II to choose between two excursions; the full day optional excursion that will take you on a scenic drive to the Niah National Park or a full day at the Lambir Hill National Park, the Latak Waterfall and the Iban longhouse. At the Niah National Park you will walk through oil palm plantations and Iban longhouses, before visiting the Niah Museum, home to relics from Niah Caves, a pivotal archaeological site where the fist human existence in S.E. Asia was found in 40,000 B.C. In the evening you will return to sail to Brunei where you will spend overnight at sea.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Brunei – Bandar Seri Begawan Port, Sultanate of Brunei

Day 7

You have the option of joining a full day tour of the Sultanate of Brunei’s 2 facets. This includes Brunei’s countryside and the rural life of the Dusun, Iban and Kedayan indigenous people. You will then enjoy life at a local restaurant and a Ngajat traditional dance performance, before you return to town to marvel at the Royal Regalia Museum and other impressive monuments and palaces. You will then spend overnight at sea to Kota Kinabalu.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Kota Kinabalu Port, Malaysia/Sabah

Day 8

In the morning you will arrive at Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah region, referred to as K.K. Here you have the option of joining one of two full day excursions. The excursions on offer include a day to Sandakan in North Borneo where you will spend a full day at the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve and the Sun bear Rehabilitation Center. On the other hand, you may choose the Kinabalu World Heritage National Park and Poring Hot Spring tour of the Kinabalu mountain, Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. On this tour, the 41-high canopy walk will offer you the opportunity to marvel at Borneo’s fauna and flora. In the evening you will enjoy a delightful farewell dinner with the accompaniment of Malaysian music.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Disembark: Kota Kinabalu Port, Malaysia/Sabah

Day 9

You will disembark at 9am, to either return home or extend your trip.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Embark: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia/Sabah

Day 1

Embarkation on board the M/S Panorama II will begin at 3pm, where you will stay overnight at the port.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia/Sabah

Day 2

In the morning you will arrive at Kota Kinabalu, capital of Sabah region, referred to as K.K. Here you have the option of joining one of two full day excursions. The excursions on offer include a day to Sandakan in North Borneo where you will spend a full day at the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve and the Sun bear Rehabilitation Center. On the other hand, you may choose the Kinabalu World Heritage National Park and Poring Hot Spring tour of the Kinabalu mountain, Southeast Asia’s highest mountain. On this tour, the 41-high canopy walk will offer you the opportunity to marvel at Borneo’s fauna and flora. You will then return to the ship for dinner and departure towards Brunei.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Brunei – Bandar Seri Begawan Port, Sultanate of Brunei

Day 3

You have the option of joining a full day tour of the Sultanate of Brunei’s 2 facets. This includes Brunei’s countryside and the rural life of the Dusun, Iban and Kedayan indigenous people. You will then enjoy life at a local restaurant and a Ngajat traditional dance performance, before you return to town to marvel at the Royal Regalia Museum and other impressive monuments and palaces. You will then spend overnight at sea to Miri.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Miri Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 4

In the morning you will disembark the Panorama II to choose between two excursions; the full day optional excursion that will take you on a scenic drive to the Niah National Park or a full day at the Lambir Hill National Park, the Latak Waterfall and the Iban longhouse. At the Niah National Park you will walk through oil palm plantations and Iban longhouses, before visiting the Niah Museum, home to relics from Niah Caves, a pivotal archaeological site where the fist human existence in S.E. Asia was found in 40,000 B.C. In the evening you will return to sail to Bintulu.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Bintulu Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 5

In the morning you will arrive in Bintulu, where an optional excursion will take you to Similajau National Park, 30km from Bintulu, by the sea. Your journey will begin by crossing the Sungei Likau River, which includes an impressive 24 species of mammals, such as banded langurs, gibbons and log-tailed macaques, as well as 185 bird species. Later in the day you will head back to Bintulu, where you will explore Pasar Utama and Pasar Tamu markets. Overnight will be spent at sea heading towards Mukah -Sibu.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Mukah – Sibu Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 6

Enjoy an optional full day excursion in Sibu and the Rajan River, which is the largest river of Malaysia. The local life revolves around the busy river filled with river taxis and grocery stores floating on the river. You will begin the morning exploring the Old Sibu markets in the town, visiting the iconic Chinese Pagoda, a7-storey building and learning about the superb longevity of production of handmade noodles. Following lunch, you will go up the river with fast board in the Iban territory. In the late evening you will return to Sibu and Mukah with an overnight at anchor.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Mukah, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 7

In the morning you will disembark for an optional half day excursion in Mukah and the Melanau Heartland home of Melanau. On this excursion you will have the chance to visit Lamin Dana, a wonderful traditional Melanau house that is built above water. You will witness their beautiful and intricate costumes and impressive handicraft, before visiting the Sago Factory Chimney, a 19th century chimney of the Sago Palms Factory. Lunch will be served on board whilst you then sail to Kuching. Overnight at sea.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Kuching Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 8

On this day you will have the option of choosing between two morning optional excursions, this includes exploring the Bako National Park or a Kuching city tour and of the Semenggoh Wildlife Center. At the Bako National Park, you will discover the world-famous proboscis monkeys, the long-tailed macaques, Borneo bearded bigs and monitor lizards. The Kuching City tour and Semenggoh Wildlife center will enable you to observe techniques developed for the rescue, treatment and retraining and relocation of Orangutans in their natural habitat. Following lunch, you will return to Kuching city where you will enjoy a guided tour exploring the heritage of the city, including the Kuching Waterfront, the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Chinese History Museums and the Sarawak Museum of Art and Natural history. In the afternoon you will get back on board the ship to sail to Lakei island, located nearby, for some relaxation. Overnight at port.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Disembark: Kuching Port, Malaysia/Sarawak

Day 9

You will disembark at 9am, to either return home or extend your trip.

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Note: Itineraries can be changed at the discretion of Variety Cruises and of the Vessel's Captain in case of adverse weather conditions - winds of 6/7 beaufort or more depending on the vessel- on port authorities not allowing a vessel to leave port or in case of other extraordinary conditions. Such itinerary changes do not entitle automatically passengers to any refunds but Variety Cruises guarantees that passengers are disembarked at the advertised port of disembarkation on time for their flights.

Our Cruises:

M/S Panorama II Cruise

M/S Panorama II Cruise

South East Asia
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