Asia Cruises

Embark on an Asia Cruise Today!

Visit exotic locations and encounter truly unforgettable cultures on an Asia cruise. In recent years, Asia has become a favourite for Australians who want a rich mix of food, history and modern energy, without the hassle of planning multiple hotels and transfers. From Japan’s shrine lined streets to Vietnam’s lantern lit rivers, and from South Korea’s coastal cities to Malaysia’s island beaches, Asia cruises let you experience a wide range of destinations in one seamless itinerary. Some itineraries include overnights, giving you extra evening time for dining and nightlife.

Choose an Asian cruise when you want days filled with ancient temples, palaces and heritage precincts, balanced with time in world class shopping districts and waterfront dining. Nature is just as diverse, with the beaches of Ko Samui and Phuket, the limestone formations of Ha Long Bay, and the emerald hills and rice terraces you see across the region. Whether you are travelling as a couple, with friends, or with the family, you will find cruise lengths and ship styles that match your pace, from short regional loops to longer, port rich journeys that cover multiple countries.

When to Cruise Asia

Asia is a huge region so the best time to sail depends on where your itinerary goes.

• Southeast Asia: The most comfortable time to travel is generally from November to February. This is the dry season for most of the region. It offers lower humidity and pleasant temperatures for walking around cities like Singapore and Bangkok. March to May can be quite hot while June to October often brings the monsoon rains.
• East Asia: For Japan, South Korea and China, the best times are Spring (March to May) for cherry blossoms and Autumn (September to November) for colourful foliage. Winter can be quite cold in these northern regions while summer is often hot and humid.

If you are flexible, compare a few departure weeks to balance weather and crowd levels. When you want sharper pricing or added inclusions, keep an eye on our latest cruise deals.

Which Cruise Lines Offer Asia Cruises?

Many cruise lines offer a diverse range of Asian itineraries with plenty of choice.

• Premium & Classic: Popular options include Holland America, Cunard and well-known brands such as Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.
• Fun & Family: For shorter routes with plenty of onboard activities, Royal Caribbean Cruises is a strong choice.
• Flexible: Norwegian Cruise Line offers a handful of itineraries that often depart from Singapore and Taipei.
• Exotic & Unique: Azamara Cruises and Costa Cruises often feature unique itineraries. These can include less common calls to destinations like Myanmar and the Maldives.

  

There are also a number of luxury cruises that operate in Asia. These include: 

• Regent Seven Seas
• Oceania Cruises
• Seabourn Cruises
• Silversea Cruises

These voyages suit travellers who prefer smaller ships, attentive service and destination-rich days.

Cruise Guru’s Asia Cruises Tip

“Visit Gardens by the Bay when you are in Singapore and stay until the evening light show. It is synchronised with music and is spectacular.” — Sussanah, National Marketing Manager

How to Get to Asia

Flights to Asia from Australia are frequent, with a wide choice of airlines and fare types. Full service options include Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific, while low cost carriers such as Scoot and AirAsia X can work well if you are travelling light and flexible with timings. Where possible, arrive at least one day before embarkation so delays do not eat into your cruise.

If you want to limit flying, there are also seasonal sailings that connect Australia with Asia, either one way or as part of a longer return voyage. Another option is repositioning cruises that sail from Australian ports including Sydney and Brisbane to major Asian gateways such as Singapore.

Asia Cruise Itineraries

When it comes to choosing an itinerary, start with your preferred region. Southeast Asia is known for warm weather, street food and island ports. East Asia blends modern cities with heritage sites and distinct seasons. Both offer excellent variety and have itineraries that suit first-timers and experienced cruisers.

A helpful next step is to think about how you like to travel. If you love late nights and food markets, pick itineraries with overnights or late departures in big cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong or Bangkok. If you prefer scenery and slower pacing, look for routes that include islands and smaller coastal ports.

Southeast Asia Cruises

Southeast Asia cruises often run 5 to 7 nights out of Singapore or longer routes that begin or end in Hong Kong. Itineraries frequently include:

• Thailand: Calls to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Ko Samui and Phuket.
• Vietnam: Highlights such as Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Da Nang, Hue (Chan May) and Nha Trang. Longer voyages may add a call to Ha Long Bay for Hanoi.
• Connecting Hubs: Many travellers choose cruises from Bangkok to pair a land stay in Thailand with their sailing.

Hong Kong is a practical gateway for exploring Asia. It blends centuries of Chinese history with a distinctive international edge. Plan a pre or post-cruise stay to enjoy the harbourfront, explore Kowloon’s markets and take the Peak Tram for sweeping views. If you want to see which itineraries match your dates, browse cruises from Hong Kong.

Singapore is another standout embarkation point. It is compact, modern and easy to navigate with English widely used. Popular areas include Sentosa, the colonial district and Orchard Road for shopping. Start planning with cruises from Singapore to see current departures.

Indonesia and Malaysia Voyages

Some of the most memorable Asia cruises visit Indonesia and Malaysia. These are often round-trip itineraries from Singapore or one-way sailings between Singapore and Benoa in Bali.

• Indonesia: Calls can include Komodo Island, where you may see the rare Komodo dragon, plus Semarang in Java for Borobudur, the famous 9th-century Buddhist temple.
• Malaysia: Look for stops at Langkawi, Penang, Kuching (famous for orangutans) or Port Klang for Kuala Lumpur.
• Bali: This island is a highlight for many travellers. It is known for warm hospitality and Hindu traditions. If your itinerary calls at Benoa, you might plan a day trip to Uluwatu for its cliff-top temple or head inland towards Ubud for arts and crafts.

Cambodia

Cambodia is a bucket list stop for many because of Angkor Wat. The temple complex sits inland but several cruise lines offer excursions from Sihanoukville. These tours take you to key highlights including Angkor Wat and the Bayon Temple. The wider Angkor Archaeological Park spans a huge area with ruins dating to the Khmer Empire. If Angkor is your priority, choose an itinerary that allows enough time for the transfer and a full day on site.

East Asia Cruises

East Asia cruises focus on China, Japan and Korea. Itineraries may begin in Shanghai or Beijing, or use Tokyo, Yokohama and Kobe as key gateways.

• Japan: Calls might include Hakodate, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Kochi, Okinawa, Osaka, Otaru and Nagasaki. Many voyages start or end inTokyo so a few extra nights can help you explore. You can look over all Japan cruises or browse cruises from Tokyo to see upcoming departures. Alternatively, look for cruises from Kobe for easy access to Kyoto and Osaka.
• China: Beijing rewards travellers who add extra land time. It is the gateway to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. You can search for cruises from Beijing or cruises from Shanghai to start your journey here.
• Taiwan & South Korea: Taipei is a popular stop in Taiwan. In South Korea, you may visit the bustling city of Busan, the island of Jeju or Incheon for Seoul.

Tips for Asia Cruises

Asia can feel wonderfully different from home, so a little preparation can make your trip smoother.

• Bathrooms vary. In parts of Asia, squat toilets are common. Western style facilities are usually available in hotels and larger attractions, but it is smart to carry tissues, hand sanitiser and a small amount of change where a fee applies. In Japan, you may encounter highly modern bathrooms with extra controls.
• Be patient when chatting with locals. English is widely used in many tourist areas, but confidence levels vary. Speaking slowly and using simple phrases helps.
• Public transport is your friend. Cities such as Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore have reliable networks that can be faster than traffic.
• Pack seasickness basics. The South China Sea can be choppy at times. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring ginger chews or over the counter remedies, and speak with your doctor about longer lasting options if needed.

Find the best Asia Cruise from the Gurus!

Booking Asia cruises online is easy with Cruise Guru. Use the filters on this page to compare ships, dates, departure ports and cabin categories, then open individual itineraries to review day by day plans and live availability. When you are ready to book, look for our Price Guarantee symbol on eligible sailings for added confidence.

To hear about last minute releases and limited offers, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X for the latest cruise deals. When you are ready, start your search on this page and our team will help you set sail with everything organised. If you prefer to talk, call us on 13 13 03 or reach out via our Contact Us page or Request a Call Back form.