Asia’s Allure

Luxury Cruisers Seek Exotic Voyages to Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Beyond

Whether luxury travelers desire to savor Singapore’s eclectic tastes, delve into Japan’s geisha heritage, stroll through captivating UNESCO World Heritage sites, soak in Thailand’s eco-beauty or shop till they drop in Hong Kong, one fact is clear for 2025 and beyond—Asia travel, including luxury cruising, is booming.

No longer are consumers taking just one big annual vacation. Instead, they’re heading out on two, three or even more robust trips a year. Virtuoso, a network of top luxury travel advisors, recently revealed that its 2025 travel sales to Tokyo are up 116% year-over-year. From the luxury cruise side, “Japan is Asia’s hottest destination,” says Shawn Tubman, senior vice president of sales and trade marketing, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, with Southeast Asia another big draw.

Helping to fuel demand for Thailand is Season 3 of “The White Lotus,” now airing weekly on HBO and Max. The storylines focus on interactions between global travelers and hotel staffers at a luxurious Thailand resort. But while the tales are pure fiction, the settings are authentic. Many scenes were filmed on location at sumptuous resorts in Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui, Thailand, as well as at Thai beaches and eco-preserves.

As a result, “Koh Samui is getting tremendous exposure of its natural beauty,” says Tubman. “That will generate demand for not only Thailand, but also the rest of Asia.” From his perspective, “Luxury cruising will benefit, particularly as people realize how accessible the exotic Asia destinations are via cruising.” Simply put, I totally concur, based on my personal experiences from multiple Asia ocean voyages, most recently a two-week voyage from Tokyo, Japan, to Singapore on Silversea’s ultra-luxury Silver Nova.

Over the years, I’ve traveled within Asia on escorted land tours, city stays and extensive independent trips. I love it all, but luxury ocean cruising is a hassle-free way to travel in comfort and style, plus touch many cultures in multiple Asian countries. For example, while sailing on Seabourn a few years ago, I enjoyed a great night’s sleep and room service breakfast delivered by my suite’s butler while sailing in Southeast Asia.

Less than 90 minutes later, I was off the ship and exploring Sihanoukville, the second-largest city in Cambodia. At a local market, I watched locals haggle loudly with vendors to get the best price on fresh fruits and veggies piled high on produce stalls. Seated on the floor, a fish seller sloshed his hands inside a tub of water, causing the live fish to splash and leap. His convincing performance resulted in a female onlooker nodding and quickly buying a fresh catch. It was a rewarding cultural snapshot of the local lifestyle.

Another two hours later—after a stroll through an ancient temple—I was ensconced back aboard Seabourn Ovation. After a luscious dinner and a great night’s rest, another exotic locale beckoned me in the morning.

Japan and Southeast Asia Soaring

When planning an Asian luxury cruise, booking early allows travelers to savor the pre-cruise anticipation, research “must see/must do” shore activities including any private arrangements, and have the best choice of snagging their preferred stateroom or suite on a luxury ship.

Many cruise lines have already opened Asia sales through spring 2027. For example, on Feb. 16, 2027, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer a 14-night “Cities of Mystery and Magic” itinerary from Bali (Benoa), Indonesia, to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand. The 746-passenger Seven Seas Explorer will sail into Surabaya, Semarang and Jakarta, Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; and Singapore (with an overnight stay).

One plus is that this itinerary also visits Borneo and Brunei. Arriving at Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), Malaysia, travelers might head out on Regent Seven Seas’ five-hour “Lok Kawi Wildlife & Handicraft Market” excursion. It’s a great way to view exotic, native animals at a wildlife park, learn about medicinal, endemic and exotic plants, including carnivorous pitcher plants, and stroll through a local handicraft market.

Never been to Muara, Brunei? I recommend Regent Seven Seas’ four-hour “Splendor of the Sultan” excursion. Guests will peruse the Royal Polo Grounds, opulent Empire Hotel and the Sultan of Brunei’s magnificent 1,788-room palace. They will also gaze at the monarchy’s Royal Regalia exhibits.

This voyage will also offer a call at Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) before concluding at Bangkok (Laem Chabang). “Bangkok is a fantastic city with access to Siem Reap, Cambodia,” Tubman explains. So, by booking a pre- or post-cruise land package, cruisers can also see and do more in Thailand’s capital city and the countryside, as well as head to Cambodia to explore Angkor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

More New Options

Between September 2026 and May 2027, Silversea’s 596-passenger, ultra-luxury Silver Muse and Silver Moon will operate 17 Asia voyages. Targeted at Southeast Asia, Silver Muse will sail to both marquee ports and less-visited gems, such as Vietnam’s stunningly gorgeous Ha Long Bay. It’s home to limestone karsts, islets, fishing villages and ancient caves.

On certain voyages, luxury travelers will also go ashore at Chan May, a gateway for excursions to Hue’s Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Coron on the Philippines’ Palawan Island with beaches and scuba diving sites. Silver Muse’s itineraries are also combinable for travelers to create a 28-day Southeast Asia vacation.

Silver Moon will, in turn, operate in-depth Japan itineraries. Two voyages during the 2027 spring Cherry Blossom season will include an overnight in Osaka, Japan. In just one of many touring options, guests might book Silversea’s exclusive S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) shore excursion to celebrate the science of umami with an acclaimed Japanese chef. Some Silver Moon voyages will offer later-than-typical departures from Busan, South Korea and Kanazawa, Japan, so that guests can spend more time ashore.

On March 1, 2026, ultra-luxury Seabourn’s 600-passenger Seabourn Encore will set sail from Singapore to Yokohama, Japan. One perk for those planning a big Asia trip is “voyage length flexibility.” For example, they might book the 15-day “Southeast Asia: Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Japan” itinerary. It visits Ho Chi Minh City (overnight) and Danang, Vietnam; Hong Kong (overnight); Keelung (Taipei); and Tokushima, Japan.

Two other options for that same departure date—both entitled “Southeast Asia and Japan’s Crafts & Spring Blossoms” sailings—will alternatively create a 29-day or 43-day vacation. All three options begin with the two-week sailing, but guests booked on the longer trips stay aboard for more cruising and many other ports of call, among them Beppu, Japan, famed for its “hells” or bubbling hot springs.

For those who love leisurely “days at sea,” one Asia and Australia option is Cunard Line’s 23-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney on Feb. 22, 2026. Before setting sail, though, travelers might venture atop Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands for incredible views from its observation deck. Alternatively, perhaps stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens; its National Orchid Garden sports 1,000 species of orchids plus 2,000 hybrids.

As for the cruise itself, Cunard’s 2,996-passenger Queen Anne will spend three days at sea, then two full days in Hong Kong, another two days at sea, one day in Manila, the Philippines, before two more days at sea and a day in Bitung, Indonesia. Well, you get the picture. More sea days follow, interspersed with visits to Darwin, Airlie Beach and Brisbane, Australia, before an overnight in Sydney.  

New this year fleet-wide, Cunard has introduced holistic “Harper’s Bazaar” Wellness at Sea programs. Spanning three days each, three optional curated wellness programs—“Relax,” “Recover” or “Energize”—include a selection of spa treatments, some premium ELEMIS products and unique, nutritionally balanced dining options.

In early 2027, Crystal’s “World Cruise” will depart from San Diego, Calif. As the 740-passenger, ultra-luxury Crystal Serenity sails across the Pacific, several April 2027 segments will explore Southeast and East Asia. Guests can learn about Indonesian culture at Semarang’s temples, explore attractions in Singapore and Bangkok, visit the Great Wall of China and chow down on dim sum in Hong Kong.

Crystal Serenity will then continue to South Korea and Japan. There, guests will visit multiple destinations including Busan, South Korea. One destination highlight is the Gyeongju National Museum, displaying ancient Silla Kingdom artifacts.

Returning to China in 2026-2027 is upper premium Azamara. For example, on Oct. 16, 2026, Azamara Pursuit will operate a 15-night “China Intensive: Beijing, Shanghai & Hong Kong” voyage. One plus is that this 702-passenger ship is right-sized for sailing directly into the heart of Shanghai. Another itinerary hook is the unusual embarkation point of Incheon, South Korea, not far from Seoul, the nation’s capital. So, guests who desire to explore more of South Korea can do so pre-cruise.

In Incheon itself, military history buffs should head to the Memorial Hall for the Incheon Landing Operation. Built to commemorate the 1950 Korean War landing led by U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, it displays copious military equipment (both inside and outside) from North and South Korea plus other artifacts, photos and flags of 16 war participants. 

Upscale foodies might board Oceania Cruises’ 670-passenger Regatta on April 3, 2026, for a “Cherry Blossom Splendor” voyage round trip from Tokyo. Highlights will include top-notch cuisine and culinary activities on board, plus cultural experiences ashore at nine Japanese ports and Busan, South Korea.

More in Asia

Expanding in Asia, Viking now offers enticing new China itineraries that include a voyage on the 930-passenger Viking Yi Dun, combined with overland stays in China, including Tibet. Separately, Japanese cruise line Mitsui Ocean Cruises, part of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, has opened sales for its cruise vacations in North America. As a first step, Architects of Travel will support sales of the new-to-fleet, 458-guest Mitsui Ocean Fuji (the former Seabourn Odyssey) by promoting it to North American travel advisors. Another former Seabourn ship will arrive in 2026. This is one development to watch.

Many premium lines such as Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Disney Cruise Line also sail in Asia, as do such small-ship operators as Scenic, Aqua Expeditions, Aurora Expeditions, Ponant, Windstar Cruises and others. For instance, Ponant’s 184-passenger Le Jacques Cartier operates a 14-day “Islands, Cities and Volcanoes of Indonesia” voyage, departing Jan. 7, 2026. While sailing between Bali and Singapore, guests can sip a cocktail at the ship’s underwater Blue Eye lounge and gaze out whale-eye-shaped windows to look for marine life. 

Aurora Expeditions’ 130-passenger Greg Mortimer will operate a new 16-day “In the Wake of Wallace: Indonesia & Borneo” itinerary from Denpasar (Bali), Indonesia, to Singapore on Oct. 24, 2026. And between September 2026 and May 2027, Windstar Cruises’ new 224-passenger Star Seeker will offer 12 departures of a 10-night “Grand Japan” itinerary between Tokyo and Kobe in Japan, plus other Asia itineraries. 

Another option for Asia travelers is a river cruise on the Mekong, Yangtze or Ganges rivers. Experienced river operators include AmaWaterways, Scenic, Viking, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Avalon Waterways, Pandaw and others. This fall, Pandaw’s new 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw will debut on a new “Kerala Backwaters” itinerary round trip from Kochi, India. And in October 2025, Viking’s new 80-passenger Viking Tonle will begin sailing the Mekong River. 

If you’re wondering if there is still time to book an Asian cruise for this year, the answer is “yes.” Tubman stresses that “It’s possible to still book some space this year and next winter.” 

Whenever or wherever one travels in Asia, be sure to relax and cherish the moments. After a long day of Hong Kong touring late last year, I ordered room service in my luxurious suite on Silver Nova and then nestled into a chair on my private veranda to admire the up-close skyline views. But I had forgotten that each evening the city puts on “A Symphony of Lights,” the world’s largest permanent light-and-sound show. Suddenly, dramatic music enveloped the waterfront, and colored light beams danced and twirled across the skyscraper facades. It was pure magic. Best of all, those moments of visual splendor unfolded on my private perch on an ultra-luxury ship.