It is not often you get the chance to explore the once-forbidden corners of Asia and immerse yourself in the allure of Yangon, the off-the-beaten attractions of remote Ishigaki Island in Japan and the former Imperial city of Hue on Vietnam’s Perfume River.

The world’s leading culinary and destination-focused line, Oceania Cruises, will transport you to the mystical East and spoil you with captivating voyages on its new Asian itineraries in 2023-2024.

And not only that but you will also be immersed in a newly reimagined Oceania Riviera as she sails her inaugural season in Asia through some of the most beguiling destinations across Arabia, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

Riviera’s new season showcases 25 unique voyages ranging from 10 to 82 days while her sister ships, Regatta and Nautica, will expand their offerings in the South Pacific, with more opportunities to rediscover closer-to-home destinations in Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia.

The new sailings will nearly double the line’s voyages to 121 unique itineraries across Riviera, Regatta, Insignia, and Nautica, cementing Oceania as the leading culinary-and-destination cruise line in Asia.

Last year, Riviera had a major refurbishment with every stateroom and suite restyled with bespoke furnishings, updated bathrooms in lustrous Italian marble, and public areas redone with a refreshed colour palette, luxury draperies, and sleek leather-covered armchairs. Since the upgrade, Riviera sales have broken new records.

As Frank Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises puts it: “Riviera’s re-inspiration has brought our luxurious product to new heights and the expansion of our Exotics 2023-2024 season means even more of our guests have the opportunity to explore one of the most intriguing corners of the globe.

“The decision to move Riviera to Asia was easy: demand for our Exotics collection is very strong with our well-travelled guests longing to visit remote, wondrous destinations for off-the-beaten-path experiences.”

From the Great Wall of China and Bangkok’s Grand Palace to Kyoto’s sacred temples and gardens, the sights of Asia are filled with wonderment. Just like the futuristic, neon-lit streets of Tokyo and Hong Kong stand in sharp contrast to the pagodas and joss-stick aroma of temples. This is the Far East’s intriguing blend of old and new.

Riviera will sail 25 voyages of 10 to 82 days, offering a raft of destination-rich experiences such as Cochin in India; Yangon in Myanmar, Busan in South Korea, and Phuket or Bangkok in Thailand.

For the first time, Regatta and Nautica boast amazing journeys across the South Pacific and French Polynesia with more than 20 voyages ranging from 10 to 41 days to some of the most eclectic ports including Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, Rangiroa, and Raiatea with Regatta sailing a return journey to Australia and New Zealand and Nautica cruising through Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia.

These spectacular voyages will reveal some of the world’s most amazing, beautiful, and colourful destinations, allowing guests to discover little-known islands in Polynesia in the most luxurious and immersive way possible – by sea.

As one smitten American visitor puts it: “The colours of Polynesia are an assault on your senses with every camera shot a screensaver.”

Here’s a summary of the bespoke voyages

  • A 12-day Land of the Rising Sun roundtrip from Tokyo onboard the meticulously, re-inspired Riviera, departing in March and April 2024, calling at Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Beppu, Hiroshima, and overnight in Kyoto.
  • An expansive, 72-day Epic Eastern Explorer onboard Riviera, departing January 2024 sailing from Mumbai to Tokyo. There will be an overnight in Male in the Maldives, Colombo in Sri Lanka, Singapore, Hanoi, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh, Seoul, Kyoto, and Tokyo, plus two-night stays in Yangon, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
  • A 34-day Constellation of Islands itinerary from Singapore to Papeete, Tahiti onboard Nautica departing late 2023 with overnight calls at Bali and Bora Bora plus visits to Papeete, Darwin, Cairns, and Suva.
  • A 14-day Empires of Asia voyage on board Regatta sailing from Tokyo to Hong Kong in late October this year with overnight calls in Kyoto, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, plus visits to Taipei, Kaohsiung, and the Japanese ports of Kagoshima and Hiroshima.