Celebrity Cruises
Modern premium cruising with stylish ships, world-class dining and global itineraries.
Cruise destinations
Asia Cruises
Big cities, temples, islands and street food in one trip, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan as the main gateways.
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Asia Cruises with Travelisto
An Asia cruise is one of the easiest ways to see several very different countries without packing and unpacking. In a single voyage you might walk through Singapore's hawker centres, take a day trip to Bangkok, wander the old town of Hoi An and finish among the neon of Hong Kong. It suits curious travellers who like variety, enjoy food and want a comfortable base after long, warm days ashore.
Timing depends on where you want to go. Southeast Asia is at its best in the drier months, roughly November to April, when most lines base ships in Singapore and Hong Kong. Japan has two standout seasons: spring, when cherry blossom season runs from late March into April, and autumn, when the maples turn from October into November. Summer brings heat, humidity and the chance of typhoons further north, so itineraries tend to shift accordingly.
Most Asia cruises run 7 to 14 nights. Shorter sailings loop out of Singapore to Malaysia and Thailand, while two-week voyages connect Singapore with Vietnam and Hong Kong, or circle Japan from Tokyo (Yokohama) with calls in Kyoto's port of Osaka and further south. Longer repositioning voyages of three weeks or more link Asia with Australia, India or the Middle East as ships change seasons.
Because flights from the UK are long, many guests add a few nights in Singapore, Tokyo or Hong Kong before or after the cruise to get over jet lag. Some ports, such as Bangkok and Beijing, sit well inland from where ships dock, so a full-day excursion is often the best way to see them. Our Travel Designers can help you match the cruise line, the season and the flights so the whole trip fits together.
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Lines we recommend
The cruise lines our Travel Designers suggest most often for this kind of trip. Tap a line for the full guide.
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
Mid-premium cruising with destination-strong itineraries — Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean
Large family-friendly ships packed with entertainment, water parks and waterslides.
Oceania Cruises
The finest cuisine at sea, smaller premium ships and country-intensive itineraries.
Silversea
All-inclusive ultra-luxury cruising on small ocean and expedition ships, butler service throughout.
Pandaw
Mekong, Irrawaddy and Indian river cruising on teak-and-brass colonial-style ships.
Which line suits you?
| Cruise line | Best for |
|---|---|
| Celebrity Cruises | Couples who want a modern premium ship for Southeast Asia and Japan. |
| Princess Cruises | Travellers keen on Japan, with plenty of Japanese itineraries to choose from. |
| Royal Caribbean | Families who want big-ship facilities on shorter sailings from Singapore. |
| Oceania Cruises | Food lovers who want longer, port-intensive voyages on a smaller ship. |
| Silversea | Luxury travellers who want an all-inclusive small ship and in-depth itineraries. |
| Pandaw | Anyone who wants to explore Asia’s great rivers, such as the Mekong, on a small river ship. |
Asia cruise regions at a glance
- Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand
- Short sailings from Singapore are an easy introduction, with calls such as Penang, Phuket and Langkawi.
- Vietnam
- Ports give access to Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, often on voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong.
- Japan
- Round trips and one-way voyages visit cities such as Tokyo, Osaka for Kyoto, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- South Korea and China
- Busan, Shanghai and other cities feature on longer voyages around East Asia.
- Asia’s rivers
- River ships on the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia offer a slower, village-by-village way to travel.
Planning an Asia cruise
Time your trip by region. Southeast Asia is most comfortable in the drier months, while Japan is at its most popular in spring and autumn. Your Travel Designer can show you which sailings fit the season you have in mind.
Entry rules differ between the countries on an Asia itinerary, so check the FCDO travel advice for each one well before you travel.
Some of the region’s biggest sights sit well inland from the port, so a full-day excursion is often the easiest way to see them. Because the flights are long, adding a few nights in Singapore, Tokyo or Hong Kong gives you time to recover from jet lag before you board.
Who an Asia cruise suits
An Asia cruise suits travellers who want to sample several countries on one trip and would rather avoid internal flights, border crossings and hotel changes. It is a good way to get a feel for places you might return to for a longer stay.
It also suits first-time visitors to the region who like the reassurance of a comfortable ship to return to after busy, warm days ashore.
If you want to spend real time in one country, a cruise can be combined with a land stay, such as a few days in Japan before a Japanese coastal voyage, or a beach stay in Thailand after a Southeast Asia sailing. Our Travel Designers can build the whole trip around your cruise.
FAQ
Asia Cruises: your questions answered
When is the best time to cruise in Asia?
For Southeast Asia, aim for November to April, when the weather is drier and most ships are based in Singapore and Hong Kong. For Japan, spring (late March to April) brings cherry blossom and autumn (October to November) brings colourful leaves and comfortable temperatures. Summer is hot and humid across much of the region and typhoons can affect sailings further north.
Where do Asia cruises start from?
Singapore is the busiest starting point, with sailings to Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. Hong Kong is the other main hub for the South China Sea, and Tokyo, usually via the port of Yokohama, is the base for Japan cruises. Some voyages also begin or end in Bangkok's port of Laem Chabang, Shanghai or Bali.
How long is a typical Asia cruise?
Most Asia cruises last between 7 and 14 nights. A week from Singapore usually covers Malaysia and Thailand, while two weeks lets you combine Vietnam and Hong Kong or see much of Japan. With long-haul flights each way, many travellers choose 10 nights or more and add a city stay to make the journey worthwhile.
Can I combine an Asia cruise with a hotel stay?
Yes, and it is a popular choice. A two or three night stay in Singapore, Hong Kong or Tokyo before boarding gives you time to adjust to the time difference and explore the city properly. Our Travel Designers can arrange flights, hotels and transfers around your cruise dates so everything is booked together.
Are Asia cruises suitable for first-time cruisers?
They can be a good choice. Ships provide a familiar, comfortable base in a region where language, food and transport can feel unfamiliar, and organised excursions make it easy to see the main sights. The main things to plan for are the long flights from the UK, the heat in Southeast Asia and long transfers from some ports to the cities they serve.
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