When planning a trip to Asia, we often think of flights between countries, trains, and long bus journeys. Yet, a large part of the continent can also be explored from the sea. From the Thai islands to the Vietnamese delta and the coastal cities of Japan, a cruise can offer a variety of experiences in a single trip.
The advantage is quite simple: keep the same accommodation while changing destinations . But the content of the trip depends heavily on the chosen stopovers and the actual time available on land.
Here are some points to consider to determine if this way of travelling suits your preferences.
Another way to travel
When you want to discover several Asian countries, travel can quickly take up a significant part of the program: getting to an airport, waiting for your flight, finding a hotel and leaving again a few days later.
A cruise simplifies part of this organization, since the ship provides both accommodation and transport between ports.
This format is well-suited for a first glimpse of a region, or for combining sightseeing with relaxation. You simply need to accept a predetermined pace. A stopover provides a taste of a destination; to explore its surroundings or extend a discovery you enjoy, a longer stay obviously offers more freedom.
Stopovers to discover several facets of Asia
Singapore: Historic districts and local cuisine
Marina Bay in Singapore, with the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands.
Singapore makes an interesting starting or ending point for exploring Southeast Asia. You can combine a stroll along Marina Bay with a visit to its charming neighborhoods like Chinatown or Little India, then have lunch in a hawker center, a space that brings together stalls selling local cuisine.
→ If your cruise starts or ends here, a few nights on site allow you to go further: my article on what to do in Singapore gives several ideas for composing your program.
Thailand: beaches, old town and temples
Depending on the itinerary, Thailand can be explored by its islands, with Phuket or Ko Samui being prime examples. In Phuket, beyond just the beaches, a short excursion to the old town of Phuket Town offers a touch of culture with a stroll among Sino-Portuguese houses, small shops, and southern cuisine.
The colorful facades of Phuket Town, in the old town of Phuket.
Due to its proximity to the sea, Bangkok is also a possible port of call. However, be aware that the port of call may be specified: a "Bangkok" stopover may be at the port of Laem Chabang rather than in the capital itself , which still involves a long road transfer of 2 hours.
The round trip must therefore be factored in before planning to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and a Chao Phraya River cruise all in the same day. While less common, it's not impossible to disembark directly in the city via the Klong Toei port. The ports of call are clearly marked anyway, so you shouldn't have any trouble.
Vietnam: Lively cities and coastal landscapes
Vietnam offers other atmospheres: from the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City, to the heritage of the Hue region or the limestone landscapes of Halong Bay.
Again, these visits depend on the port of call and the time available; consult the map: Phu My is a gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, while Chan May serves destinations including Hue. Therefore, the name of a city on the itinerary does not necessarily mean you will disembark in the city center. Factor transfer times into your plans.
Boats and limestone formations in Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Japan: A Discovery Through Its Port Cities
A cruise focused on Japan allows you to discover several coastal cities without having to repack your luggage at each stop. Depending on the itinerary, Yokohama, Osaka, Kobe, or Nagasaki offer neighborhoods to explore and regional specialties to sample.
Itineraries including Okinawa present yet another, more southern, side of the archipelago. The Japanese archipelago is particularly well-suited for cruises because the choice of itinerary allows for the prioritization of major cities, cultural stops, and even islands with an exotic character, turquoise seas, and white sand beaches.
Osaka Castle seen from the gardens, in Japan.
An example of a route: from Singapore to Hong Kong
To give you a more concrete example, here's a typical cruise itinerary possible in Asia, between Singapore and Hong Kong. You could combine an island in the Gulf of Thailand, an excursion to Bangkok, several stops along the Vietnamese coast before ending your cruise in Hong Kong.
Example itinerary between Singapore and Hong Kong, via Thailand and Vietnam. Map: Cruise Clearance.
- Singapore: the departureMarina Bay and the historic districts allow for a first glimpse of the city before boarding.
- Ko SamuiA stopover between beaches and temples, including the Great Buddha.
- Laem Chabang, for BangkokThe port provides access to the capital and its temples, with a road transfer to be included in the visit program.
- Phu My, for Ho Chi Minh CityA stop to discover the center of old Saigon, its colonial buildings and its markets.
- Chan May, for Hue or Da NangA gateway to the heritage of Hue or visits around Da Nang, depending on the excursion chosen.
- Halong BayThe limestone islets offer a unique exploration from the water. Hanoi is another excursion option, though it's a long journey from the port.
- Hong Kong: The ArrivalVictoria Bay and the Kowloon districts offer opportunities to extend the exploration after the cruise.
Days of sailing are interspersed between some stopovers. This type of itinerary provides an overview of several destinations, with visits to be chosen according to the time available ashore.
Choosing your cruise by looking at the details of the ports of call
Generally, the cruise line will provide essential information or suggestions for visits at the ports of call listed on the itinerary. Besides choosing your departure and arrival ports, it's therefore important that as many ports of call as possible interest you; it would be a shame to go on a cruise and only stay on board half the time because nothing appeals to you ashore.
Depending on whether your preferences lean more towards beaches, culture, or a mix of both, the itinerary choices will vary. A trip departing from Singapore, for example, might include Penang and Phuket, or head towards the Gulf of Thailand and Vietnam. Meanwhile, a journey around Japan caters to a different desire, with stops focused on the archipelago.
The duration of the cruise can also be a factor. Cruises vary widely, ranging from short cruises of a few days to grand voyages lasting several weeks.
For a short stay, it's perfectly possible to incorporate it into a longer trip, allowing you to discover coastal destinations while drifting along with the water. When the departure and arrival ports are different, it allows you to reach another destination by sea rather than by plane.
The Cruise Clearance selection, for example, provides an overview of possible itineraries for exploring Asia by cruise . Once you've identified a few routes, pay particular attention to what they actually allow you to do on land.
- The ports used: Check their location and the necessary transfers to the places you wish to visit.
- Available time: Compare arrival and departure times, any nights spent in port, and the number of days at sea.
- The total budget: Look at what is included, then add flights, transfers, excursions and any onboard extras.
- The travel period: Check the seasonal conditions at the different stops. A tropical tour and a trip to Japan are not planned in the same way.
- The boat and the atmosphere on board: Consider the ship's capacity, common areas, and activities offered. If the itinerary includes several days at sea, choose a ship whose atmosphere matches your desire for relaxation or entertainment.
- The language: Check the languages used on board and during excursions.
Check the entry requirements for each country.
An important point to address is that a cruise inevitably involves crossing borders. Since itineraries often stop in several countries, it's also necessary to check the entry requirements for each port of call , as well as for the countries of departure and arrival.
The necessary documents will depend in particular on your nationality and itinerary, but note that even a short visit on land may require a visa or authorization.
Before booking, ask the airline what steps they will take care of and what you need to complete before departure. Also, check the required validity of your passport and consult the official information for the countries concerned (for France, this is possible via the France Diplomatie website ).
Enjoy each stopover without trying to see everything
For a short stopover, I would recommend a simple itinerary: explore a nearby neighborhood, visit a site that truly interests you—a museum, a historical site if close to the port—and enjoy a good local meal. A market or a small local restaurant is also a great way to discover a destination without spending the whole day rushing between monuments.
An organized excursion can be useful when the port is far away or when several transfers are required. For a self-guided visit, carefully plan your return journey and allow extra time before the re-boarding deadline. If disembarkation is by shuttle from a boat at anchor, this time must also be factored into your calculations.
Finally, if possible, plan to spend a few days before or after your cruise in the city of embarkation or arrival. This is a great way to combine the simplicity of the boat trip with a more relaxed stay. The cruise can then serve as an initial exploration, inspiring you to return for a longer stay in the places that most interested you.
