For the first time in 10 years, P&O Cruises will be basing one of its Australian fleet in Singapore for part of the year. The new Pacific Eden will head to Singapore in July and sail five cruises around Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia.

And even though these cruises depart from Asia, P&O is still targeting its traditional market – Australians. P&O Cruises president Sture Myrmell told Cruise Passenger: “While the cruises are available locally in Asia, our key market is Australians who have responded well to the exciting options on offer.”

It’s a great opportunity for Australian cruisers to snap up a great fly/cruise/stay deal. The seven-night Anadman Islands Encounter departs Singapore on July 30. On the P&O website, the cruise only fare for an interior cabin, twin share, is $1,049 per person (or $150 per night).

Cruise1st is offering a package for the same cruise that includes return economy flights to Singapore, one-night pre-cruise accommodation and an interior cabin, twin share, for the seven-night cruise for $1,299 per person (or $162 per night).

“We’re very excited about Pacific Eden’s upcoming maiden Asia season. It follows the addition of Pacific Eden and her sister ship Pacific Aria to the fleet last year, which allowed us to expand our homeport possibilities and add Singapore to our offering. Singapore is a great hub and Southeast Asia features such a fabulous variety of exotic destinations, we think Australians will enjoy cruising as a new way to explore the region,” said Mr Myrmell.

The itineraries will include the line’s maiden calls to Krabi, Ko Chang, Sabang and Sihanoukville. “While countries like Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia have been popular for backpackers in the past, cruising opens up the region to other travellers who will enjoy the ease and comfort of visiting a host of fabulous destinations by ship,” said Mr Myrmell.

Pacific Eden will operate two seven-night itineraries (one eastbound and one westbound), which can be combined into one 14-night have been designed to be combinable into a 14-night Ultimate Southeast Asia cruise.