Destination Focus: Asia

For cruise enthusiasts seeking to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of ancient cultures, stunning landscapes, and gastronomic wonders, Asia is one destination to beat. 

This world’s largest continent has a treasure trove of destinations to offer especially for Australian travellers and cruise enthusiasts. From the busy streets of modern cities to the serene and stunning remote islands, Asia is such a force to reckon with when it comes to the cruising industry. 

Moreover, aside from exotic destinations, well-known cruise lines operating plus cheaper airfares, holds a lot of appeal for Australians.

Singapore has become a major cruise hub, with cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Dream Cruises homeporting year-round. Cruises sail to Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia with most lines offering two- to five-day itineraries.

Premium and luxury cruise lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea and Crystal Cruises sail from Australia on longer voyages around the region.

Singapore: Asia’s Lion City

Singapore is the regional hub for the cruise industry in Southeast Asia and is the first Asian country to win the award for Cruise Destination of the Year. The city-state has a rich cultural mix of Chinese, Malay and Indian traditions which come alive when you walk into any hawker centre. The Marina Bay Sands complex has a huge upmarket shopping mall at ground level, with the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum nearby. Don’t miss Gardens by the Bay where the Supertrees light up at sunset.

What is this destination best for?

• Families
• food lovers
• shoppers
• big-city fans

Which lines go there?

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Australia
• Celebrity Cruises
• Costa Cruises
• Cunard
• Dream Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises Australia
• Ponant
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Seabourn
• Silversea
• Windstar Cruises.

Indonesia: Wonderful Indonesia

Indonesia is an important cruise destination because of its complex culture, superb waters and gorgeous landscape. Bali remains the country’s drawcard for Australians. 

Benoa (Bali)

Denpasar and its “Gold Street” and bustling market are worth seeing, as are the surf beaches and bars and restaurants of Kuta, and the high-end resorts of Nusa Dua. With an extra day, take a trip to the north of the island, via arty-offbeat Ubud.

What is this destination best for?

• All ages
• Couples
• Surfers
• Shoppers
• art lovers.

Which lines go there?

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Australia
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Ponant
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Seabourn, Silversea

Japan: Endless Discovery

The Land of the Rising Sun is the most popular cruise destination for Asian tourists. While most international cruise lines call at Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki and Hakata, many also head south to Okinawa for its azure waters and sandy beaches. 

Nagasaki

The Peace Park is a gentle entry to the story of the bombing of this historic city. The Nagasaki Hypocenter Park is graphic and sobering, with ruins and memorials, and the nearby Atomic Bomb Museum has even more relics and photographs. 

What is this destination best for?

• Families
• history buffs.

Which lines go there?

• APT
• Celebrity Cruises
• Cunard
• Holland America Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Ponant, Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Seabourn
• Windstar Cruises.

Kyoto (Osaka)

Visit some of Kyoto’s 2,000 shrines and temples, with visitors dressed in graceful kimonos, and also the geisha district (Gion) to learn the importance of this traditional life.

What is this destination best for?

• History lovers
• photographers.

Which lines go there?

• Abercrombie & Kent
• APT
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Ponant
• Princess Cruises
• Silversea
• Windstar Cruises.

Malaysia: Truly Asia

With ports including Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia has a rich colonial history, stunning beaches and lovely wildlife. The country is developing its “Straits Riviera” strip of ports, which includes Port Kelang, Kota Kinabalu, Langkawi, Melaka and Kuching. Visitors always head to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur which is a 90-minute drive from Port Kelang. 

Penang

In Penang, eating out is the main attraction and its bustling food stalls are packed with Malay, Chinese and Indian dishes. Wander around the old shophouses in the World Heritage area of George Town, and see the Chinese temples, Muslim mosques, Christian churches and Hindu temples as they sit side by side. 

What is this destination best for?

• Food lovers
• families

Which lines go there?

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Cunard, Dream Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Ponant, Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean, Seabourn

Kuala Lumpur (Kelang)

Port Kelang is about an hour from the sleek and modern Malaysian capital, KL. The city skyline is punctuated by Moorish minarets and gleaming skyscrapers. There are good views from the observation deck on the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers but the best views are from Menara KL Tower. One of the city’s oldest heritage sites is the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which provides a sharp contrast to the futuristic gleaming Petronas Towers.

What is this destination best for?

• Families
• food lovers
• shoppers

Which lines go there?

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard
• Dream Cruises
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Ponant, Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Seabourn
• Silversea

Thailand: Amazing Thailand

With its beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and some of the best street food in Asia, Thailand is high on the list of cruise destinations for international cruise lines. Bangkok and Phuket are the two main port cities. 

Bangkok

In Bangkok, don’t miss the Grand Palace and the Temple of Dawn is also a must. The Chatuchak Market has more than 15,000 stalls and nearby, OTK is a huge growers’ market. Note: Bangkok’s main port, Laem Chabang, is two hours drive from the city centre.

What is this destination best for?

• Food lovers
• Photographers
• shoppers

Which lines go there?

• Avalon Waterways
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Cunard
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• P&O Cruises Australia
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Silversea
• Windstar Cruises

Vietnam: Timeless Charm

Vietnam is an attractive destination for international cruise lines, but also offers exciting river journeys on the Mekong River. The country has an abundance of attractions from Ha Long Bay to the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the beach resorts of Da Nang and Nha Trang. 

Ho Chi Minh City

This is a huge city, so you may only see a small part of it in a day. Take a cooking class, be fitted for a stylish silk shirt, and spend time in the massive city market. Visit the history-making Reunification Palace with its basement war rooms and tunnels, and the sobering War Remnants Museum. 

What is this destination best for?

• Families
• food lovers
• shoppers

Which lines go there?

• APT
• AmaWaterways
• Azamara Club Cruises
• Carnival Australia
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Oceania Cruises
• Ponant
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn
• Silversea
• Windstar Cruises

Halong Bay (Hanoi)

Tours of Halong Bay visit caves and grottoes on the islands, including the Hospital Cave, a secret bomb-proof clinic used during the American/Vietnam War. Hanoi, about three hours away by road, is an elegant and fascinating city where the houses echo its French colonial times. 

What is this destination best for?

• Families
• food lovers
• shoppers
• photographers

Which lines go there?

• Azamara Club Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Dream Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises
• Ponant
• Princess Cruises
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Seabourn
• Silversea
• Windstar Cruises