Disney is leading an Asian cruise boom, and the deals are impressive
The increasing popularity of itineraries in this part of the world is a boon for Aussie cruisers.
Lifestyle
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When the brand new 6000-guest Disney Adventure, Disney Cruise Lines’ largest ever ship, debuts in December, she won’t sail on well-known routes in the Caribbean nor the Mediterranean; she will sail from Singapore.
Disney has committed to home-porting the vessel in the Lion City for five years where she’ll sail primarily on three and four-night itineraries from the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. Five years in one home port is a long time, proof that Disney is well aware of the increased demand for cruising in the region. When bookings were released for the inaugural cruise, it sold out within the day.
Asia is experiencing a cruise boom. Many vessels will be making their way there this year.
Another new player in Asian waters will be a former Aussie favourite. P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer is about to be retired, and after a $US50 million renovation will emerge later this month as Resorts World Cruises’ 1800-guest Star Voyager. With Singapore as a home port, the vessel will sail on a series of cruises which includes visits to Bangkok and Koh Samui in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Jakarta and Medan in Indonesia, and Melaka and Pulau Redang in Malaysia.
Between now and April 2027, Norwegian Cruise Lines is expanding its presence in Asia with four different ships offering itineraries from seven departure ports across Asia. Norwegian Jade will make her debut in the region in October 2026 with itineraries departing from four home ports: Tokyo, Incheon, Hong Kong and Singapore. The NCL sailings across all ships range from seven to 14 days with extended time in port in addition to numerous overnight stays in ports such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kobe, Osaka, Tokyo and Tokushima. Which means more time to explore.
Celebrity Cruises is now sailing in Asia on year-round itineraries and Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas will be home-ported in Singapore between October 2025 and March 2026. Meanwhile, Princess Cruises will extend its Asian 2025-26 season, adding 11 new voyages in Japan aboard Diamond Princess.
Sailing Asia is a great way to get a taste of multiple destinations, with a relatively short flight (compared to Europe or the US) for Aussie travellers, and less chance of jet lag. Australian interest in travelling to Asia is increasing, with The Australian Travel Industry Association reporting that Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia showed the biggest gains for Australian visitors in 2024.
It also makes financial sense. For example, a cruise on Disney Adventure from Singapore for a family from Perth who embark on the five-hour flight there may work out to be more financially viable than embarking on a five-hour flight to Sydney to take a sailing on Disney Wonder. A quick comparison shows that, assuming flight prices are about the same, a family of four can go on a three-night cruise from Singapore from $4194 on the newer Disney Adventure in January 2026, while a family of four can cruise from Sydney on a three-night Disney Magic at Sea cruise from Sydney on Disney Wonder from $4425. The reason? One might be economies of scale: Disney Wonder is a smaller ship, holding 2713 guests.
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Originally published as Disney is leading an Asian cruise boom, and the deals are impressive
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