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Best cruise destinations in Asia

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Singapore
Tropical city-state of hawker food and gardens
9.5
Compared with most Asian ports, this island city state is compact enough to see the highlights in one day. The Marina Bay Cruise Centre is close to the city. Gardens by the Bay has giant tree shaped structures. Hawker centers serve chicken rice and laksa at low prices. Sentosa has beaches and theme parks.
Highlights:
  • 🏮 Wander through Chinatown’s temples and traditional shophouses
  • 🌳 Visit Gardens by the Bay and its iconic Supertree Grove
  • 🌆 Admire the futuristic skyline from Marina Bay Sands SkyPark
Osaka
Castle, neon canals and street food
8.5
Cherry blossoms bloom around Osaka Castle in late March and early April. The castle dates to 1583. Dotonbori is a canal street with neon signs. Food stalls sell takoyaki, which are octopus balls. The Kaiyukan Aquarium has whale sharks. Cruise ships dock at Tempozan near Universal Studios Japan.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Visit the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the world’s largest
  • 🍢 Feast on street food at Dotonbori and see the neon lights
  • 🏯 Explore Osaka Castle and wander through its scenic park
Hiroshima
Peace Park, okonomiyaki and Miyajima ferry
8.4
Cherry trees bloom in late March and early April along the riverbanks. Cruises call in spring and autumn when the weather is mild. The Peace Memorial Park honors the victims of 1945. The Atomic Bomb Dome is a World Heritage Site. A ferry reaches Miyajima where a red torii gate stands in the sea.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Stroll Shukkeien Garden’s tranquil bridges and ponds
  • 🏛️ View the haunting ruins of the Atomic Bomb Dome
  • 🕊️ Reflect at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Yokohama
Japan's port city with Chinatown and skyline
7.5
On the western shore of Tokyo Bay, this port city is about 30 minutes from Tokyo by train. The Minato Mirai skyline is led by the Landmark Tower at 296 meters. Chinatown is one of the largest in Japan. At the Cup Noodles Museum visitors make their own noodles.
Highlights:
  • 🌸 Stroll through the serene Sankeien Garden
  • 🥢 Explore vibrant streets of Yokohama Chinatown
  • 🌆 Ascend Yokohama Landmark Tower for panoramic views
Kobe
Harbor city with hills, beef and hot springs
7.8
Smaller and calmer than nearby Osaka, this Japanese port is known for beef and sake. Marbled Kobe beef is served in steakhouses near the harbor. Breweries in the Nada district offer tastings. The Kitano area has old foreign merchants' houses. Arima Onsen is a hot spring town in the hills.
Highlights:
  • 🌿 Explore the lush Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens
  • ♨️ Relax in the historic Arima Onsen hot springs
  • 🌆 Visit iconic Kobe Port Tower for stunning views
Nagasaki
Peace memorials, trade history and harbor views
7.9
This port on the west coast of Kyushu has about 400,000 people and a steep, curving harbor. Dutch traders lived on the small island of Dejima for over two centuries. Glover Garden shows Western style houses. The night view from Mount Inasa is famous. Visitors eat champon noodles and castella sponge cake.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Take in panoramic city views from Mount Inasa
  • 🏛️ Explore historic Glover Garden and Western mansions
  • ☮️ Visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park
Maldives
Coral atolls, lagoons and overwater villas
9.2
This island nation became Muslim in 1153 after centuries as a Buddhist kingdom. Today it has 26 coral atolls and more than 1,000 islands. Small cruise ships and liveaboards sail between reefs. Divers swim with whale sharks in South Ari Atoll. Malé has a busy fish market near the harbor.
Highlights:
  • 🌌 Watch a glowing beach at night on Vaadhoo Island
  • 🦈 Snorkel with reef sharks and manta rays at Hanifaru Bay
  • 🏝️ Stay in an overwater villa surrounded by turquoise lagoon
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