We compare: Which Southeast Asia cruise should you sail on for your year-end holiday?

• With fewer ships calling in Australian waters this summer, Southeast Asia cruise is shaping up as the go-to destination for year-end holidays.
• From short, fun-filled escapes to longer festive sailings, four major lines are offering very different styles of holiday at sea.
• Whether you’re after thrills, indulgence or cultural depth, there’s a ship in the region that matches your style.

Even though fewer ships will be calling in Australian waters this summer, that doesn’t mean Aussies have to miss out on a year-end sailing. Southeast Asia cruise is buzzing with exciting options.

From getaways to Penang and Phuket, to ship-as-a-destination cruises from Singapore, the region offers sun-soaked escapes that combine culture, relaxation and world-class ships.

Three lines will be homeporting in Singapore this season: Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, Resorts World Cruises’ Genting Dream, and Princess Cruises ’Diamond Princess.

While Disney’s brand-newDisney Adventure was set to homeport in Singapore come December, the line has just announced a delay to March 2026.

Each line will give you something different — thrills, indulgence or cultural immersion. Here’s how they compare.

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Royal Caribbean – Ovation of the Seas

Price

Royal Caribbean positions itself in the family-friendly mid-range. Short itineraries in December 2025 show interior cabins starting around AUD 425 per person.

Itinerary

From Singapore, Ovation will run:

• 3-night Penang round-trips with one sea day.
• 4-night Penang & Phuket sailings, adding Thailand’s famous beaches.
• For Christmas and New Year, check out the 8-night Bali Adventure Holiday (December 28, 2025 to Jan 5, 2026) with stops in Celukan Bawang, Benoa, Lombok, and multiple sea days.
• These itineraries suit travellers looking for short getaways before Christmas, or a longer festive voyage to welcome the New Year.

The ship

The Quantum-class Ovation of the Seas is a destination in itself: the North Star glass pod that rises 300 feet above the ocean, RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulator, bumper cars, surf simulators and Broadway-style shows. Families are spoiled with kids’ clubs, splash zones and teen hangouts.

Dining is equally varied, included options are casual favourites like the Windjammer buffet, counter-service options and main dining rooms offering multi-course meals. Speciality options include Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine, Chops Grille and Izumi for teppanyaki and sushi.

Cabin experience

Royal offers some of the most innovative cabins at sea. Even interior rooms feature “virtual balconies” — floor-to-ceiling screens streaming live views. Families can opt for connecting interior or balcony staterooms. For the ultimate luxury experience at sea, upgrade to Royal Suite Class.

Guests booking the Royal Star Class enjoy priority boarding, access to exclusive dining at Coastal Kitchen and the personalised service of a Royal Genie — a concierge-style host who tailors the entire cruise experience.

Shore Excursions

Royal Caribbean’s excursions lean toward adventure and family-friendly fun. In Penang, food trails and heritage walks showcase George Town’s UNESCO charm. Phuket adds beaches, long-tail boat rides and nightlife. Bali and Lombokoffer temples, rice terrace tours and snorkeling trips.

Best For: Families and groups craving action-packed ships, a great variety of quality food and flexible accommodations.

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Dream Cruises– Genting Dream

Price

Operating year-round from Singapore, Dream Cruises markets itself as a mid-premium line focusing on Asian hospitality.

Lead-in rates for a three-night getaway to Melaka and Penang on start from AUD 460, though promotions and onboard credit deals are common.

Itinerary

Genting Dream focuses on short Southeast Asia breaks:

• 2-night High Seas weekends with no ports.
• 3 to 4 night round-trips including Melaka, Port Klang (for Kuala Lumpur), Penang or Phuket, depending on schedule.
• Exclusive 5- night voyage to South and North Bali on 30 November 2025
• This makes it ideal for couples or groups looking for a quick escape.

The Ship

The Genting Dream. blends Asian and Western influences. Premium travellers can book The Palace, a “ship-within-a-ship” enclave with butlers, private dining and exclusive decks.

Elsewhere, guests enjoy multiple dining venues. The Lido is an international buffet offering Western, Asian and local flavours. Specialty venues include a teppanyaki grill, Cantonese dim sum, hotpot and a la carte restaurants offering Chinese, Western and fusion dishes.

There’s also a spa, karaoke lounges, a waterslide park with 6 waterslides, theatre productions and duty-free shopping.

Cabin experience

Cabins range from compact interiors to ocean view and balcony staterooms that are roomy by regional standards. The Palace suites are the highlight, offering larger square footage, premium amenities and dedicated service

Shore Excursions

When calling at ports, excursions highlight cultural and shopping experiences — Penang heritage tours, Kuala Lumpur’s landmarks and Phuket’s beaches. High Seas weekends rely on onboard activities, spa indulgence and entertainment.

Best For: Couples and groups wanting a boutique Asian cruise experience with short, indulgent itineraries.

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Princess Cruises – Diamond Princess

Price

The line focuses on longer getaways. The 14-night Christmas & New Year cruise departing December 23, 2025 from Singapore lists balcony fares from around USD 2162 (AUD 3282).

Itinerary

The December 23 sailing visits Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam across two weeks — giving travellers a festive countdown onboard and New Year’s Eve in Southeast Asia. Looking further ahead, Princess has announced an expanded 2026 to 2027 Singapore program with 11 itineraries and 28 destinations across 8 countries, ranging 10 to 31 days.

The Ship

The Diamond Princess carries 2,670 passengers and offers refined, enrichment-focused cruising. Expect specialty dining rooms, wine tastings, cooking demos and evening cultural shows. Compared with Ovation of the Seas or Disney Adventure, it’s slower-paced, with a hotel-like atmosphere.

One of our favourite attractions is the Izumi Japanese Bath, the largest of its kind at sea. Modelled after a traditional Japanese bath or “onsen”, it features indoor and outdoor Japanese bathing experiences, including steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs with spectacular ocean views.

Shore excursions

 Princess excels in enrichment: tuk-tuk temple tours in Bangkok, elephant encounters in Bali, heritage walks in Vietnam and expert-led experiences. The line is favoured by those who want context and culture as much as comfort.

Best For: Couples, retirees, or solo travellers seeking immersive, culturally rich voyages.

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Disney Cruise Line – Disney Adventure

Price

Disney Adventure’s maiden 3-night voyage from Singapore in December 2025 has been postponed to March 10 2026. Those who have booked the Dec 15 sailing will be placed on the new maiden sailing on March 10, and will receive a 50 per cent refund.

Prices for a 4-night cruise in March 2026 start from USD 2576 (AUD 3875) for an oceanview cabin.

Itinerary

Disney Adventure’s inaugural Southeast Asia program is “days-at-sea” cruising, with no ports of call. Voyages are 3- and 4-night round-trips from Singapore,starting March 2026. The concept is deliberate: the ship itself is the destination. As of now, no announcements indicate that ports of call will be introduced to Disney Adventure itineraries in the future.

The Ship

The Disney Adventure is Disney’s largest ship yet — accommodating 6,700 guests with seven themed zones, including:

• Marvel Landing, complete with Ironcycle Test Run, a high-speed coaster.
• Toy Story Place, packed with family rides.
• Moana’s Wayfinder Bay,a tropical water-play space.
• Disney Imagination Garden, an open-air hub for performances.
• Plus San Fransokyo Street, Town Square and Discovery Reef.
• There are 20-plus restaurants and bars, ranging from Marvel-themed dining to adult-only lounges. Evening fireworks at sea, parades and character meet-and-greets make every moment feel magical.

Shore excursions

Since these cruises don’t call at ports, shore excursions are not offered. Instead, Disney has built an all-encompassing resort-at-sea, making it a floating theme park that never closes.

Best For: Families with young children and Disney fans who want the brand’s signature magic without worrying about long port days.

Cruise Line	Price (Indicative)	Itinerary Style	The Ship & Entertainment	Cabin Experience	Shore Excursions
Royal Caribbean – Ovation of the Seas	From AUD 425 (3 night interior)	3 to 8 nights to Penang, Phuket, Bali/Lombok	Quantum-class thrills: North Star, iFLY, bumper cars, Broadway shows	Interior cabins with virtual balconies, family-friendly connecting rooms, Royal Suite Class	Foodie trails in Penang, Phuket beaches & nightlife, Bali temples & rice terraces
Disney Cruise Line – Disney Adventure	From AUD 3895  (4 night oceanview)	Days-at-sea cruises (no ports)	Largest Disney ship, 7 themed zones, Ironcycle coaster,immersive dining & character shows	Spacious staterooms designed for families (split bathrooms, whimsical touches); Concierge-level suites with premium perks	None. The ship itself is the destination
Resorts World Cruises – Genting Dream	From AUD 460 ( 3 night interior)	Short getaways: High Seas weekends or Penang/Phuket/ Bali calls	Asian-Western mix: multiple dining venues, karaoke lounges, spa, duty-free shopping	Standard balcony cabins roomy by regional standards; The Palace suites include butlers, private pools, priority dining & check-in	Compact city tours (KL, Penang), Phuket beaches
Princess Cruises – Diamond Princess	From AUD 3282 (14 nights	Long festive itineraries; SEA–Japan combos	Refined, enrichment-focused cruising: cultural shows, fine dining, wine tastings	Comfortable insides. balconies & mini-suites	Deep cultural immersion: Bangkok tuk-tuks, Vietnam heritage walks, Bali safaris

Final thoughts

• For families after thrills and value: Royal Caribbean delivers entertainment and beach-hopping at a competitive price.
  
  
• For parents with kids craving magic: Disney brings the brand’s storytelling to sea — the ship itself is the star.
  
  
• For couples after indulgence, Dream Cruises offers boutique escapes with an Asian flavour and shorter durations.
  
  
• For culture lovers: Princess Cruises shines with longer itineraries and immersive excursions.
  
  

Whichever you choose, Southeast Asia at Christmas offers warm nights and unforgettable festive celebrations — the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation to end the year.