Asia’s cruise market – already offering with exceptional cruise value – can be accessed by Australian passengers by booking direct with a local agent.

Travel agents in Singapore, for instance, will even lay on flights so Australians can bundle the fares.

Jane Chang from Chan Brothers Travel, one of the top cruise sellers in Singapore, told Cruise Passenger the company has been providing holidays for travellers from other nations for several years.

She said some Australians were already booking with the company to take advantage of special deals.

Chan Brothers offers a range of special prices from two to 12 night cruises to Asian destinations like Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, China and more.

One of the cheapest deals is a four-night cruise which sails from Singapore. Costa Victoria calls at Phuket in Thailand before sailing to Penang in Malaysia costs around AUD$280.

The Costa Cruises website offers the cruise for $20 more.

An Australian cruise agency offered a different cruise starting from $747 per person twin share,  while it was offered at $695 per person, twin share, by Chan Brothers. That’s a saving of $104 a couple.

“We currently already use Singapore as a hub to bring travellers in from Malaysia and Indonesia through our representative offices, onboard our outbound cruise and tours to mid and long haul destinations,” said Ms Chang.

“We have had Australians cruising with Chan Brothers Worldwide Cruise Centre on board Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner of the Seas. There is a tendency for these passengers to lean towards regional sailing.

“Ultimately, bundling Singapore together with onward cruise and tours allow us as a travel agency to expand our offerings to inbound travellers, cater to various segments of the market, draw new and repeat travellers, move consumers up the value chain and reap in higher-yield travellers.”