Ralph, I don't know how full the ship is but we are able to book at 240 day mark instead of 180 like before; I am hoping there won't be an issue getting excursions.

We have both been to Singapore and I have been to Colombo; Ihose are the only ports we have been to. I know many have been to the Malay and Thai ports so we should be able to get some insight. Like Arlene, I am inclined to do the ship's tours as it will be first time for us so all is new. Only place I defeinitely want to go to (on my own if necessary) is Mt Lavinia Hotel in Colombo which played the part of the hospital in the movie Bridge Over River Kwai.

Arlene and I are going to look at currently posted excursions and start to make plans; we will try to post our thoughts soon.