Why the world’s most uncrowded cruise ship offers the perfect escape from Asia’s sweltering cities

One morning, I took part in a cookery class in the professional Miele kitchen, making summer rolls and a Malaysian-style curry. Then, later, in the revamped clubby-looking Collins bar (formerly the Herrenzimmer gin bar) – now complete with record player and a vinyl selection including LPs by Elvis and Queen – I joined in with a gin tasting session which over turned things I thought I knew. Gin, that very British drink, actually originated in the Netherlands, we were told, and the German gin, G’Vine Floraison, was a revelation with its basis of Ugni Blanc grapes from Cognac (France). It was floral with hints of nutmeg, ginger, coriander and lime. 

In the seven restaurants, and I tried them all, the food was outstanding and guests often dined on tables of two, rather than sharing, surrounded by more good art (in the Elements restaurant I fell for Cornelius Volker’s ‘Hund’, an oil painting of the dreadlocked puli dog). One of the most memorable moments for me was, if I’m honest, an indulgently late breakfast, eating fresh croissants on a wicker sofa, outside in the sun, at the Sansibar open-air bar. After a long British winter, that is hard to top.