Aussie’s top fly-cruise passengers as Singapore attracts, despite fuel prices hikes

• Rising oil prices are pushing up airfares, but demand for Singapore fly-cruises remains steady.
• Cruise lines are adjusting prices carefully, with only limited fuel surcharges so far.
• For Australians, Singapore still offers one of the easiest and best-value cruise gateways in Asia.

Despite rising air prices, Australians are still flocking to Singapore for Asian cruises, according to the Singapore Tourism Board.

Ms Chitra Rajesh Kumar, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board, tells Cruise Passenger: “While flight disruptions and fuel cost volatility have impacted travel costs and accessibility for some passengers, Singapore’s cruise industry has demonstrated resilience, with cruise lines seeing steady bookings in the months ahead.”

Kumar adds that this resilience is supported by sustained global interest in cruising and the strength of key source markets, which continue to drive demand for cruises out of Singapore.

Singapore’s appeal hasn’t changed – it remains one of the easiest and most reliable cruise hubs to reach from Australia.

“While pricing pressures may influence travel decisions at the margins, the fly-cruise segment has historically remained stable, particularly among travellers seeking family-friendly and immersive cruising experiences,” Kumar says.

She adds that Singapore remains well-positioned as an attractive fly-cruise hub for Australian travellers, thanks to its strong air connectivity and reputation as a safe, vibrant destination.

STB figures support this.

Year-to-date March 2026 visitor arrivals from Australia rose 1% compared to the same period in 2025 (308,000 visitors), reaching 312,000 visitors.

“For cruise specifically, Australia was one of Singapore’s top cruise source markets by foreign passenger throughput in 2025,” Kumar notes.

She adds that Singapore continues to see sustained interest from Australians travelling to Asia despite ongoing global uncertainties, supported by Southeast Asia’s continued appeal for cruising, with Singapore as a key gateway to the region.

Despite current uncertainties, STB continues to view fly-cruise as a key growth pillar for Singapore tourism.

This is reinforced by a strong pipeline of ships homeporting in Singapore, including Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure (2026), Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas (2026), Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess (2026), and Explora Journeys’ Explora III (2027), all expected to draw more international visitors.

Will you have to pay a fuel surcharge

As for whether homeporting cruise lines are adding fuel surcharges in Singapore, some have already begun to do so. StarDream Cruises, for instance, has implemented a fuel surcharge of SGD 15 per person, per night for new bookings made on or after March 20, 2026, in response to rising oil prices.

Royal Caribbean, which recently announced its Quantum of the Seas 2027–28 Singapore season, has declined to comment directly on current fuel price pressures.

However, its pricing approach offers some insight. There is no widely applied fuel surcharge in Singapore at the moment, but the cruise line retains the option to introduce one if fuel prices rise further, according to its terms and conditions.

The bottom line

Yes, oil prices are pushing costs up — especially flights.

But fly-cruising to Singapore is performing strong. Demand remains steady, more ships are on the way, and for many Australians, it continues to be one of the easiest ways to enjoy a warm, hassle-free holiday.

If you’re planning a Singapore fly-cruise, here’s how to make the most of it:

• Book earlier — prices are more likely to rise than fall
• Avoid peak periods like school holidays if you can
• Consider shorter sailings (3–5 nights) for better value
• Keep an eye on flight deals, not just cruise fares

See more here.