Australians are swapping Europe for Asia – here are our picks for 2027

• Middle East flight disruption, heatwaves and overtourism are helping make Singapore the new sweet spot for Australian cruise passengers.
• An Austrian family can save almost $7,000 by cruising Asia rather than Europe.
• I’ve cruised Asia for years – here’s my pick of cruising for 2027.

Australians are looking north rather than west when they want to combine a cruise with an overseas holiday.

Singapore and the ports of Southeast Asia are emerging as strong alternative to the traditional Mediterranean fly-cruise, offering Australians relatively short flights, an expanding choice of ships and the opportunity to visit several countries without the expense — or current uncertainty — involved in travelling to Europe.

And the price difference can be considerable.

Cruise Passenger’s comparison of similar holidays found that a family of four could pay about $11,000 for a Princess fly-cruise holiday in Asia compared with $17,898 for Europe – a saving of $6,898.

On Royal Caribbean, the comparison is about $8,000 for a family cruising from Singapore, including flights, against $14,682 for a comparable European fly-cruise.

For couples, the same pattern emerges. Our Royal Caribbean comparison costs approximately $6,310 for two in Asia, compared with $9,790 in Europe.

Premium Princess comes in at about $6,540 for two in Asia, versus around $9,372 for Europe.

Australia remains the cheapest place to cruise, with our comparable Royal Caribbean cruise from Sydney around $3,500 for a couple. But for Australians who want to fly somewhere exotic before boarding their ship, Asia is increasingly occupying the sweet spot between cruising at home and flying halfway around the world.

Asia flying high

Airfares are one of the biggest reasons why Asia is in the ascendancy. For our comparison, two return Scoot tickets from Australia to Singapore costs around $1,540. The comparable European airfare through Flight Centre, flying Emirates or Qantas, was $4,892 for two.

That is a difference of $3,352 for a couple and, if four seats are required, potentially $6,704 for a family before anyone has set foot on a cruise ship.

There is also a new layer of uncertainty around some traditional routes to Europe. Australia’s Smart Traveller site warns that continuing military conflict in the Middle East is causing flight cancellations and travel disruption around the world, and says travellers can be affected even when their final destination is outside the Middle East.

That potentially makes a direct flight north to Singapore look considerably simpler.

Europe is also having a difficult summer. Extreme heat has again swept the continent, with temperatures above 40C in several countries. Italy put all 27 cities in its national heat surveillance system on red alert in August, while extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires have affected other parts of Europe.

At the same time, the debate over overtourism is intensifying. Major European destinations including Barcelona, Venice, Nice and Cannes have introduced or proposed measures designed to control visitor numbers and the impact of cruise tourism.

None of this means Australians will stop cruising the Mediterranean. Europe remains one of cruising’s great destinations, and more than half a million Aussies went to Europe in the past 12 months.

But it does make Asia look increasingly attractive, with four million of us taking holidays in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia.

The Singapore hub

Singapore is rapidly consolidating its position as the natural fly-cruise gateway for Australians.

The Singapore Tourism Board and Princess Cruises announced a new three-year partnership in May that will substantially increase Princess’s presence in Singapore from 2027 to 2030, with the program expected to attract more than 150,000 cruise passengers.

Princess will deploy multiple ships, while Royal Caribbean is bringing Navigator of the Seas to Singapore for its first Southeast Asian season.

And Disney has added another major drawcard with Disney Adventure, sailing year-round short cruises from Singapore.

For Australian passengers, that means a growing range of ships, price points and styles of cruising from one of the easiest Asian cities to reach.

A cultural binge

There is another advantage that becomes apparent when you look at the map. A Southeast Asian cruise can deliver an extraordinary amount of culture in a relatively short holiday. Diamond Princess cruises from Singapore into Malaysia and Thailand, with itineraries taking passengers towards ports such as Port Klang, Penang, Langkawi, Phuket and Bangkok.

Penang alone can justify the trip. George Town offers colourful Peranakan heritage, colonial architecture, temples and some of Asia’s most celebrated street food. Then the ship moves on, without passengers packing a suitcase, checking out of a hotel or catching another flight.

We used an illustrative hotel benchmark of around $500 a night in Europe and $300 in Asia.

On that basis, 10 nights of accommodation alone could cost $5,000 for a couple in Europe or $3,000 in Asia — before breakfast, dinner, entertainment, taxis, trains or the cost of travelling between cities.

On a cruise, the fare includes accommodation, main meals, service, shows and entertainment, pools and many activities, as well as transportation between ports.

Asia’s fleet advantage

Asia is no longer somewhere cruise lines simply send older ships between seasons. Navigator of the Seas is one of the most compelling family ships scheduled for Singapore. It has Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Storm waterslides, including The Blaster aqua coaster and Riptide mat racer, a FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing, laser tag and the Adventure Ocean children’s program.

For parents, the kids’ facilities can be a major part of the value equation. It is not quite a full-time carer for the length of the cruise, but supervised children’s activities mean parents can genuinely get some holiday time of their own.

Diamond Princess offers a very different experience. The ship was designed with Asia in mind and includes the Izumi Japanese Bath, which Princess describes as the largest Japanese bath of its kind at sea,  alongside Movies Under the Stars, pools, theatres and an extensive choice of dining.

Passengers can also add Princess Plus, which bundles Wi-Fi, a drinks package and casual dining benefits into the holiday price.

And for families wanting the ship itself to be the destination, Disney Adventure brings Disney, Pixar and Marvel-themed experiences, children’s clubs, pools, entertainment and themed dining to Singapore.

Asia’s having a moment

Australia remains one of the world’s great cruising nations. A record 1.45 million Australians took an ocean cruise in 2025, and international cruising by Australians grew faster than local cruising. Our fleet has been curtailed thanks to government regulation and high port charges, leaving many Aussies little choice but to fly cruise.

Singapore is adding ships, airlines provide direct connections from Australia, and Southeast Asia offers the kind of multi-country itinerary that cruising does particularly well.

For Australians who still want the excitement of flying somewhere and waking up in a new country every few days, Asia may now offer the best balance of price, convenience and adventure.

And for a family that can potentially keep almost $7,000 in its pocket by heading to Singapore rather than Europe, that is an increasingly persuasive argument.

My pick – ten of the best for 2027

I’ve been cruising in Asia for more than 20 years. It’s one of the all-time great cruise continents.

Asia is relatively close to Australia. But you can still experience several countries and dozens of cultures at once.

Asia works for couples, singles and families. Cruising removes much of the logistical work involved in coordinating accommodation and transportation across a hugely diverse region. In other words: it’s easy and safe.

You can sail to and from Bali, an Aussie favourite, to Japan and along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia.

It’s exciting, exotic and amazingly good value. Asia is shaping up as one of cruising’s hottest destinations for Australians in 2027.

Singapore is strengthening its position as the region’s major cruise hub, Japan continues to attract an extraordinary range of ships, and cruise lines are offering everything from three-night family escapes to month-long journeys across the region.

For Australians, the appeal is obvious. Asia is considerably closer than Europe, direct flights connect Australia with major cruise gateways such as Singapore and Tokyo, and a single cruise can combine some dramatically different destinations.

One day you might be eating street food in Penang; a few days later exploring Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City or Hong Kong.

Here are 10 of the best Asian cruises to put on the 2027 calendar.

1. AmaWaterways: Charms of the Mekong

Ship: AmaDara
Where: Vietnam and Cambodia
Length: Seven-night river cruise, with optional land programs
Best for: Culture seekers and travellers who want to get close to local life

Forget giant waterslides and shopping arcades. The attraction here is what’s happening beyond the ship.

I love river cruising in Asia. You can step off your ship straight into a village, food market or fair.

AmaWaterways’ elegant AmaDara carries just 120 guests along the Mekong through Vietnam and Cambodia. Its 2027 Charms of the Mekong program travels between communities that are difficult to experience on a conventional ocean cruise.

The journey combines village visits and local markets with Phnom Penh and the landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Passengers can also extend the cruise with land stays in Vietnam and Cambodia.

AmaDara itself reflects the region, blending French colonial influences and Asian design. AmaWaterways has confirmed 2027 departures on the itinerary.

This is arguably the most immersive cruise on our list: instead of merely calling at Asia’s major cities, you’re travelling through its heart.

2. Royal Caribbean: Thailand and Vietnam from Singapore

Ship: Navigator of the Seas
Where: Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia
Length: 10 nights
Best for: Australian families

If there is one cruise that demonstrates why Singapore is becoming so important to Australian cruisers, this is it.

Navigator of the Seas sails a 10-night round-trip itinerary from Singapore in January 2027, visiting Ho Chi Minh City, spending two days at Laem Chabang for Bangkok and calling at Langkawi.

The destinations are only half the attraction.

Navigator is packed with Royal Caribbean family hardware, making sea days part of the holiday rather than days spent waiting for the next port. It’s an easy proposition for parents: combine Singapore with a cruise through Southeast Asia while the kids get a resort-style ship holiday.

I’ve sailed out of Singapore on Royal Caribbean at Christmas – it’s magical. If you are in the mood to travel with families and soak up some atmosphere, Royal’s ships are magical.

For Australians looking for an alternative to flying all the way to Europe for a family cruise, this is one of 2027’s standout options.

3. Princess: Southeast Asia from Singapore

Ship: Diamond Princess
Where: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and beyond
Best for: Couples and traditional cruisers

Princess is always a step ahead of most lines, with refined elegance, great food and entertainment. And Diamond Princess is one of the most interesting ships to watch in Asia.

Princess’s 2026–27 Southeast Asian program has Diamond Princess homeporting in Singapore and sailing to 28 destinations in eight countries across 11 voyages.

The ship has an unusually strong connection to Asia. One of its signature attractions is the Japanese-style Izumi bath, while the onboard experience is a comfortable fit for Australians who like traditional cruising, good dining and plenty of time to relax between ports.

The appeal of sailing from Singapore is the variety. Short distances can connect Malaysia and Thailand, while longer voyages expand towards Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan.

It’s an ideal introduction to fly-cruising in Asia without sacrificing the comforts of a large mainstream ship.

4. Seabourn: Japan’s Crafts & Cherry Blossoms

Ship: Seabourn Encore
Where: Japan
Length: 14 days
Best for: Luxury travellers and Japan lovers

Japan during cherry-blossom season has become one of cruising’s most sought-after combinations.

Seabourn Encore is offering three curated 14-day round-trip Tokyo voyages during the March–April 2027 blossom period, with itineraries designed to reach beyond the obvious Japanese ports.

Depending on the voyage, passengers can experience extended stays in Osaka or Kanazawa and calls at smaller destinations including Toba, Miyako and Sendai. Seabourn also incorporates its Shopping with the Chef experiences into selected Japanese ports.

The big difference is scale. Rather than arriving with several thousand passengers, Seabourn Encore offers a more intimate way of seeing Japan.

Book this one for the destinations; enjoy the champagne and luxury as a considerable bonus.

5. Silversea: Singapore to Tokyo

Ship: Silver Muse
Where: Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan
Length: 15 days
Best for: Luxury couples wanting a grand Asian journey

This is the classic Asian voyage: start in tropical Singapore and travel north towards Japan.

I’ve only sailed on Muse in Australian waters. She features silversea’s splended S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, which features market tours with a chef, a cooking school and restaurant and bar.

Silver Muse departs Singapore on March 14, 2027, for a 15-day cruise to Tokyo, including an extended taste of Vietnam as well as Hong Kong and Japan. Silversea describes the voyage as a journey through some of Asia’s most energetic cities, including Ho Chi Minh City.

Silver Muse is all-suite and represents the opposite end of the spectrum from a giant family resort ship.

For Australians who might otherwise consider a premium European holiday, the combination of Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan makes this one of the most appealing high-end Asian alternatives.

6. Holland America: The Philippines, Taiwan & Japan

Ship: Westerdam
Where: Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan
Length: 14 days
Best for: Experienced cruisers looking beyond Southeast Asia’s usual ports

Not every Asian cruise needs to start in Singapore. Westerdam’s February 14, 2027 departure begins in Hong Kong and finishes in Tokyo two weeks later, combining the Philippines and Taiwan with southern Japan.

Highlights include Manila, Taipei and the Japanese island of Ishigaki.

It’s a particularly good itinerary for passengers who have already done Bangkok, Phuket and Ho Chi Minh City and are looking for another side of the region.

Holland America’s traditional, destination-focused style also suits cruisers who care as much about the ports as the onboard attractions.

7. Azamara: Japan Intensive

Ship: Azamara Pursuit
Where: Japan and South Korea
Length: Nine or 14 nights depending on departure
Best for: Destination obsessives

Japan rewards slow travel, and Azamara’s smaller ships are particularly well suited to it.

Azamara Pursuit offers a nine-night Japan Intensive voyage from Kobe to Tokyo on April 3, 2027, while another 14-night departure on April 22 travels from Tokyo to Kobe through destinations including Kyoto-region ports, Hiroshima and Busan.

The attraction is Azamara’s Destination Immersion approach: fewer distractions designed to keep passengers onboard and more emphasis on actually spending time ashore.

We love Azamara’s fabulous “Azamazing” evenings – an exclusive event which no other operator offers.

For passengers who want Japan to be the holiday rather than simply the backdrop to a cruise ship, this is one of the strongest choices.

8. Disney Cruise Line: Singapore aboard Disney Adventure

Ship: Disney Adventure
Where: Round-trip Singapore
Length: Three or four nights
Best for: Families and multigenerational groups

Ok so Disney deserted Australia. But scores of Aussie families have discovered they had set up shot in Asia with the biggest ship the line has.

Disney Adventure’s Singapore cruises aren’t about ticking off a succession of ports. Disney describes the ship itself as the destination, with three- and four-night round-trip voyages from Singapore.

And what a destination.

The ship has seven themed areas drawing on Disney, Pixar and Marvel, alongside major entertainment, family attractions and children’s spaces.

That makes it particularly easy to bolt onto a Singapore family holiday: spend a few days exploring Gardens by the Bay, Sentosa and the hawker centres, then board the ship.

Disney’s arrival also underlines just how important Singapore has become to the Asian cruise market.

9. Oceania Cruises: Silk Roads to Samurai

Ship: Oceania Nautica
Where: Singapore to Tokyo
Length: 28 days
Best for: Retirees, food lovers and travellers with time

If a week in Asia isn’t enough, how about four? Oceania Nautica’s Silk Roads to Samurai leaves Singapore on February 11, 2027, and doesn’t reach Tokyo until March 11.

Along the way are Ko Samui, an overnight in Bangkok, Sihanoukville in Cambodia, an overnight in Ho Chi Minh City and a progression north towards Japan.

This is slow cruising in the best possible sense.

We love Oceania. We’ve sailed on most of the fleet and love the food, the ambience, the space and the service.

Oceania also includes specialty dining, gratuities and unlimited Wi-Fi within its Your World Included offering on this voyage, with additional inclusions depending on fare choice.

It’s one for Australians who have the time to turn an Asian cruise into the major holiday of the year.

10. Seabourn: Gulf of Thailand and Malaysian Peninsula

Ship: Seabourn Encore
Where: Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand
Length: 14 days
Best for: Travellers who want Southeast Asia without a big ship

Our final choice proves that you don’t need to choose between Southeast Asia’s great ports and small-ship luxury.

Seabourn Encore has a 14-day Gulf of Thailand and Malaysian Peninsula itinerary round-trip from Singapore as part of its 2026–27 Asian program. Seabourn is also offering shorter eight-day Malaysia and Thailand voyages and longer combinations extending into Cambodia and Vietnam.

For travellers who love the idea of Singapore, Malaysian food and Thai islands but don’t want to share the experience with several thousand other passengers, it’s an attractive alternative to the mega-ships.

Why 2027 could be Asia’s year

What stands out about the 2027 Asian cruise calendar isn’t simply the number of voyages. It is the extraordinary breadth of what’s available.

A family can fly to Singapore and board Navigator of the Seas or Disney Adventure. A couple can take Diamond Princess through Southeast Asia. Luxury travellers can choose Seabourn or Silversea. Serious Japan devotees have Azamara, while passengers wanting something completely different can swap the ocean for AmaDara and the Mekong.

At the other extreme, Oceania can take almost a month to travel between Singapore and Tokyo.

Princess is already expanding its Asian deployment, with Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess forming part of a broader 2027–28 Southeast Asian program featuring round-trip Singapore voyages and longer links between Southeast Asia and Japan.

For Australians, that’s good news.