Luxury yacht charter Rascal Voyages will sail beyond its base in the Indonesia archipelago to more destinations in Asia as it expands with five new boats.
The first Rascal Phinisi yacht carved a niche in the luxury hospitality industry by allowing guests to tailor-make their own land and sea itineraries for an exclusive private charter experience.
The five new yachts will provide the same unique flexibility and increase in size to offer an additional sixth cabin, with each yacht offering Rascal’s signature accommodation experience.
Two of the five are already under construction and scheduled for completion in 2020. One will serve Indonesian waters alongside Rascal, while the other will voyage two routes – from Thailand to Myanmar, and Singapore to Malaysia, plying the Eastern seaboard of the Malaysian coast with destinations such as Pulau Rawa, Tioman, Redang and Perhentian.
The further three yachts will complete by 2021, accessing the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Thailand with unique itineraries around the Maldives and Cambodia.
The additional above-water cabin has been conceptualised for the new yachts to house floating experts in residence. Following Rascal’s partnership with Conservation International, which saw the discovery of two new species during a survey expedition of Raja Ampat, the larger boats will enable guests to select from a team of diving professionals, conservationists and wellness enthusiasts to join them on board.
Each yacht will be built-to-order, with six double ensuite guest cabins and a range of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Activities include trekking, a variety of watersports and diving. Yoga lessons, spa treatments and photography courses can also be arranged.
For F&B, an onboard chef prepares a daily menu, combining international and Asian cooking with local produce – including in settings such as pop-up island feasts and sunset beach BBQs. There is also a cocktail menu featuring Rascal Rum, which was crafted by international bar superstars, Proof & Company, especially for Rascal Voyages.
Available only for private charter, nightly rates start at US$9,500 (full board) and vary depending on itinerary and season.
Ocean Park Hong Kong
Ocean Park Hong Kong’s Halloween Fest 2018, held from October 5-31, will feature 13 all-new unique experiences at 11 haunted attractions.
Attractions this year include Hong Kong’s first ever multimedia and interactive haunted attraction X-Dimension, which creates a frightful alternate dimension with the use of 360-degree interactive projections and 3D mapping technology; while Devil Seeker’s Tale will offer an interactive game that infuses augmented reality (AR) technology; and Mine Train will provide brand new virtual reality (VR) Halloween content.
This year, Ocean Park is collaborating with Sanrio for the first time to bring the world-famous Hello Kitty and other Sanrio characters to the Park, staging the largest ever HELLO-ween party in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
From September 13 to October 31, Disney will be running its Halloween special.
Get ready for an unforgettable journey, filled with iconic music and scenes from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Venture into Dr. Finklestein’s Lab, where Jack Skellington’s friend Sally is desperate for guests’ help. Beware of the evil Oogie Boogie, out to trap guests in his lair.
During the day, Mickey, Minnie and the gang will sport their brand-new Halloween costumes, but the park atmosphere turns ominous as the sun goes down, when fearsome Disney villains come out in force to join Villains Night Out! Chapter 3.
This year, Maleficent leads the malevolent Ursula, the Evil Queen and Jafar in the procession. They will be joined by Jack Skellington, Captain Hook, the Queen of Hearts and Cruella de Vil to cause merry mayhem as they march along Main Street, U.S.A.
In true Disney Halloween fashion, an extensive range of themed merchandise and F&B items will be available, along with spooky Halloween décor and fun-filled recreation activities across the resort’s three themed hotels.
Universal Studios Japan
There will be three types of Halloween events at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka this year – Otona (adult) Halloween, Zekkyo Halloween (Halloween Horror Nights) and Kowa Kowa Halloween (kid friendly). Held from now until November 4, 2018, The attractions are rated from 1 to 5 with 1 being the least scary.
Halloween specific attractions include Blood Legend, a horror theatre 4D show; The Survival – Deadman’s Forest 2, a mission-based outdoor horror attraction; and a four-storey horror maze entitled Hotel Albert.
Sanrio Puroland
Better known as Hello Kitty Land Tokyo, this park’s Halloween special will run from September 14 to October 31, 2018. The limited event at this Japan theme park will be split into a “kawaii” (cute) day-time and somewhat scary night-time schedule.
With the creative support of professional horror event producer, Obaken, visitors are invited to join the Sanrio Character Boat Ride in the dark without anywhere to escape to.
Following the day-time event parade (15.30 on weekdays, 16.30 at weekends and holidays), ghosts will run to the Ghost Pierrot’s Sneaking Horror House where they lurk for visitors who will be given the mission to escape.