This year has already been a big year in cruise – and we’re only halfway through! Ovation of the Seas will be arriving in December, Norwegian Cruise Line will be sending the Jewel to our waters and Dream Cruises, the newest line has also opened up bookings to Aussies.

Dream Cruises, the new premium brand that is purpose-built for the Asian market, has released it’s prices to the Australian market earlier this month.

A six-night relocation cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong costs $1,650 per person, twin share, a seven night Vietnam to Hong Kong cruise costs $1,890 and an a seven night Expressions of Vietnam to Hong Kong cruise also costs $1,890.

Norwegian Cruise Line also announced it would be heading for Australian waters by homeporting the Norwegian Jewel at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal. She’ll be arriving in Australia by 2017.

In December, the highly anticipated arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas marks a new breed of ships to be arriving in Australia. She has been classed at the southern hemisphere’s most technologically advanced ship.

Each has standout features – from amazing new eateries like Jamie’s Italian onboard Ovation of the Seas to Zouk nightclub on the new Genting Dream and the kids whirlpools on Norwegian Jewel.

Which to choose? Cruise Passenger has a handy comparison chart that helps…

Dream Cruises

Dream Cruises will be the first premium brand built specifically for the Asian market. The new Genting Dream which will start her inaugural cruises in November 2016, will feature an astonishing 35 restaurants, bars, lounges and cafés, as well as the famous Zouk nightclub recently acquired by Genting Hong Kong. The restaurants feature cuisines from Southeast Asia –  Singaporean fried noodles, Shanghainese dumplings, Indian curries, Thai small plates and more. Decked in lush furnishings, the Genting Dream will also feature an exclusive area only for VIP passengers called the Dream Mansion. The area has two floors of lavish suites, a private pool deck and European butler service. The line will be cruising from Hong Kong to destinations like Nansha in China and Da Nang and Halong Bay in Vietnam. The seven-night round trip cruise is priced from SGD$1800 per person, twin share.

Royal Caribbean

This American cruise line has the biggest in Southeast Asia with ships like Mariner of the Seas and Explorer of the Seas offering destinations like Japan and South Korea. But the news that’s been causing a stir is the arrival of the southern hemisphere’s largest ship, Ovation of the Seas, which has amazing new onboard activities like the iFly, Flowrider, SeaPlex which includes bumper cars. It also includes the amazing Royal Suite – a double story suite which includes a private dining room and lounge room, large balcony and a personalised genie that will try and grant any of your wishes. Royal Caribbean has a range of cruises varying from two nights to relocation cruises. Ovation of the Seas will be sailing around Australia as well as to New Zealand.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line announced just last week it would be sending the Norwegian Jewel to be homeported in Australia – meaning Asia will be also getting a new ship. The ship recently underwent a $40 million upgrade and is famous for it’s colourful and fun waterslide park, eye-catching livery and great spa facilities. The ship will be sailing around Australia before heading to Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. Norwegian Jewel will be in the region from the beginning of 2018. The cruise line has not released any information on prices.