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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 centres 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
Hong Kong
Where East Meets West
9.3
Locals meet for yum cha, a long tea meal with dim sum carts, in noisy halls. This harbour city sits in the South China Sea. The Kai Tak Cruise Terminal is built on an old airport runway. The Star Ferry has crossed Victoria Harbour since 1888. Neon signs glow in Kowloon at night.
Highlights:
  • 🥢 Shop and eat street food in Mong Kok’s bustling markets
  • ⛴️ Sail across Victoria Harbour on the iconic Star Ferry
  • 🌇 Ride the Peak Tram and admire skyline views from Victoria Peak
Bangkok
The city of contrasts and chaos
8.6
Thailand's capital has been the royal centre since 1782. The Grand Palace gleams with gold. Wat Pho shelters a reclining Buddha 46 metres long. Long tail boats cross the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun. Cruise ships dock at Laem Chabang, about two hours by road. Many passengers take a guided tour.
Highlights:
  • 🌇 Watch the sunset over Wat Arun by the Chao Phraya River
  • 🚤 Take a boat ride through Bangkok’s bustling floating markets
  • 🏯 Visit the glittering Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple
Bali
Tropical beaches, vibrant culture and adventure
8.2
East of Java in the Indonesian archipelago, this island has volcanoes, rice terraces and a long coast. Cruise ships dock at Benoa harbour near Denpasar. Day trips go to the sea temple of Tanah Lot and the cliff temple of Uluwatu. Ubud is an hour or two inland with art galleries and markets.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit Uluwatu Temple perched high on a seaside cliff
  • 💦 Swim beneath the cascading Tegenungan Waterfall
  • 🌋 Watch the sunrise over Mount Batur volcano
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
Dubai
Glamour, Adventure and Desert Charm
9.2
Glossy, fast and ambitious, this Gulf city is built for spectacle. Cruise ships dock at Port Rashid from October to April. The Burj Khalifa rises 828 metres. In Old Dubai small abra boats cross the creek for a coin. Souks sell gold and spices. Desert safaris end with a barbecue under the stars.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Take a desert safari and ride camels over golden dunes
  • ⛷️ Shop and ski inside the Dubai Mall and Ski Dubai
  • 🏙️ Ascend the Burj Khalifa and watch the city from above
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 honours 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
Muscat
Where mountains meet Arabian sea
7.0
Calm, white and framed by rugged mountains, this Omani capital is quiet and clean. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque opened in 2001 and has a huge chandelier. Mutrah Souq sells frankincense and silver daggers. Cruise ships dock beside the Corniche promenade. The cruise season runs from October to April.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Stroll along the scenic Mutrah Corniche waterfront
  • 🛍️ Explore the bustling Mutrah Souq market
  • 🕌 Visit the stunning Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
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 metres. 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
Harbour 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 harbour. 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
Ha Long Bay
Vietnam’s Otherworldly Seascape
More than 1,600 limestone islands rise from emerald water in this World Heritage Site in northern Vietnam. Overnight cruises sail on wooden junks with cabins and decks. Kayaks paddle into sea caves and past floating fishing villages. Sung Sot Cave has huge chambers. Cat Ba Island has hiking trails.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Kayak through quiet lagoons and hidden beaches
  • 🕳️ Explore spectacular caves like Sung Sot and Thien Cung
  • 🚤 Cruise among Ha Long Bay’s iconic limestone karsts
Phuket
Beaches, Culture and Nightlife
8.1
Each October the island holds a nine day Vegetarian Festival, when people dress in white and parade through the streets. Old Phuket Town has Sino Portuguese shophouses in pastel colours. Ships anchor offshore and send passengers by small boat. Boat trips visit Phang Nga Bay. The Big Buddha stands 45 metres tall.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore colorful streets of Phuket Old Town
  • 🗿 Climb to the serene Big Buddha viewpoint
  • 🏖️ Relax on Patong Beach and enjoy vibrant nightlife
Nagasaki
Peace memorials, trade history and harbour views
7.9
This port on the west coast of Kyushu has about 400,000 people and a steep, curving harbour. 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
Komodo National Park
Dragons, Pristine Reefs and Wild Beauty
7.3
In eastern Indonesia between Sumbawa and Flores, this park is made of rugged dry islands and clear reefs. Liveaboard cruises leave from Labuan Bajo. Rangers lead walks to see Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards. Pink Beach has pale pink sand. Snorkellers swim with manta rays and turtles.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel with graceful manta rays at Manta Point
  • ⛰️ Hike to Padar Island’s summit for breathtaking views
  • 🦎 See Komodo dragons in their natural habitat on Komodo Island
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 harbour.
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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