Southeast Asia cruises are ready for Australian cruisers with new ports of call making a welcome comeback.

Since the pandemic, cruising out of Singapore has been a journey to no-where as port calls were banned.  But now Spectrum of the Seas is sailing to Port Klang and Penang in Malaysia. From October, the ship will also sail to Phuket in Thailand.

In 2034 and 2024, longer cruisers will be making a comeback as well.

Royal Caribbean recently announced a mix of new five- to 12-night cruises. They will whisk adventurers to far-flung destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The upcoming cruises include two 12-night sailings. Guests can now visit as many as seven destinations across three countries, all in one holiday.

These sailings can also be enjoyed back to back, visiting a new destination almost every day for the entire 24-night adventure.

Included are 10 destinations unique to this experience, such as Hong Kong, Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Nha Trang and Hue/Danang in Vietnam.

Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International, shares fly-cruising is swiftly rebounding.

“With port calls back on cruise itineraries, we are seeing international demand increase significantly, with the fastest growth coming from within the region with India, Malaysia and Indonesia leading the pack,” said Stephen.

She also observed that Australian guests have always enjoyed fly-cruising.

The line is seeing increasing interest for Spectrum’s five-night itineraries to Port Klang, Penang and Phuket. For those short on time, they allow vacationers to tick off three destinations in less than a week.

“We are also pleasantly surprised with the volume coming from long haul markets like the US and Europe,” added Stephen. “We are heading in the right direction, and as flight options and capacity increases, we expect international demand to continue to rise to pre-pandemic levels.”

Sharing what Australian cruisers will love about Spectrum of the Seas, Stephen said that what makes the vessel unique is her “Asian nuances combined with the signature international Royal Caribbean experience”. This makes her perfectly positioned to deliver an authentic Asian escapade for travellers from Australia and all over the world.

What’s waiting onboard Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asia cruises?

As guests are on their way to experience the best of Asia’s natural wonders, they can enjoy Asian cuisine onboard Spectrum. Teppanyaki, Hot Pot and Sichuan Red are just some of the options. There’s also show-stopping entertainment featuring colourful and exotic cultures of the Far East.

Another exciting first on Spectrum is the Sky Pad. It’s Singapore’s first virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure, as well as the luxurious Suite Enclave that features exclusive amenities like private dining rooms and dedicated lounges.

Stephen adds that Singapore is a top destination in and of itself, and its proximity to neighbouring countries makes it easy to venture out and explore.

“There’s no better way to take full advantage of this than by taking a cruise, where guests don’t have to spend precious holiday time at airports or in transfers between cities and hotels and can instead enjoy the ultimate combination of thrills, entertainment and dining as they sail from one sensational destination to the next,” she said.

Spectrum’s shore excursions will also excite guests, who can choose from multiple experiences: land tours infused with culture and history to adrenaline-amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration.

For the line’s Malaysian itineraries, guests can expect to visit attractions such as Southeast Asia’s oldest Anglican church, St. George’s Church in Penang. From Port Klang, they can also venture into the Batu Caves of Kuala Lumpur, where colourful displays of Hindu deities adorn limestone cave walls.

The line’s reputable local independent operators take care of all the planning, so guests’ can focus on making memories with their loved ones.

Covid-19 testing requirements for Singapore cruises

From August 29, Singapore is easing quarantine requirements for international travellers arriving for tourism and departures for cruises.

Currently, only vaccinated foreign travellers could enter the country and needed to quarantine.

A spokesperson from Singapore Tourism told Cruise Passenger that testing requirements for cruises departing Singapore will soo change. From September 26, you’ll no longer need to take a Covid-19 test to board.