Imagine spending your vacation days exploring ancient temples in Cambodia, indulging in the vibrant street food culture of Vietnam, or exploring the neon-lit skylines of Japan’s cities—all while enjoying the comforts of home.
That’s the reality of cruising in Asia, where every itinerary is packed with rich cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, and historic traditions that are a world away from the beach clubs and party atmosphere of Caribbean cruises.
As they seamlessly combine the thrill of discovery with the comfort and security of luxury travel, it’s no surprise that cruising is a popular way to experience Asia.
Emma Le Teace runs the popular YouTube channel and website Emma Cruises. She has twice visited the region on cruise ships and says she understands the appeal: “Cruising makes visiting the region easy. On my recent cruise, we spent one day in Taiwan, one day in Vietnam, overnighted in Hong Kong, and ended up in Japan. To arrange a trip like that independently is difficult and very expensive.”
But from knowing which itinerary to pick including the must-do destinations to what to expect from the onboard experience, there is so much to know about Asian cruises before you book.
Just as Mediterranean cruises vary from a seven-night loop around classic cities such as Barcelona and Marseille, to a multi-week exploration of the Dalmatian coast and Greek islands, Asia cruises are many and varied.
Because of the vast size of the region, shorter round-trip itineraries focus on a sub-region of Asia, such as 5-day Southeast Asia cruises from Singapore, or a China-Japan roundtrip.
But as Le Teace explains, due to the vast size of the region, many Asian cruise itineraries are longer and unique: “You find a lot more one-way and repositioning itineraries than in Europe or America. Segments of world cruises sold as shorter itineraries are also common.”
Her recent 12-night Singapore to Tokyo cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas called at Nha Trang, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima.
Although known as a budget cruiser, Le Teace recommends booking excursions on Asian itineraries to get the most out of the trip: “We saw so much more of rural Japan this way, visiting farms, temples, and shrines that were an hour or so apart. It’s possible to do your own thing in ports, but the language barrier in some destinations makes it harder.”
River cruises are also an option to explore the region, and arguably lead to a more authentic experience of rural Asia. The most common routes start in Ho Chi Minh City and explore the networks of rivers and islands that make up the bustling Mekong Delta, home to floating markets and traditional villages.
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These days, there are many travel companies out there that boast wonderful luxury offerings, but there are some brands whose names have become completely inseparable from the very concepts of style, class, sophistication and supreme indulgence.
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Goodbye Black Friday, hello Cyber Monday! While Black Friday has gone and passed, there are still tons of travel deals to shop before the end of the week. Luckily, we've got our eye on some of the best of them. We've been searching high and low for the latest and greatest deals on the market in all travel categories from flights to cruises. It's time to take yourself on that much-needed trip as a gift for getting through a hectic Thanksgiving. Snap up these jaw-dropping Cyber Monday travel opportunities before Travel Tuesday is in full swing—some of which are from Readers’ Choice Award–winning hotels and cruise lines. Black Friday may be over, but there are still a few more rounds of exciting money-saving deals on Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday.
With a population of almost 10 million, Seoul is one of Asia's largest and most vibrant metropolises. City workers spill out of futuristic skyscrapers at the end of the day, heading to the city's delicious and varied restaurants. On the weekends, nightlife rules—think neon-signed karaoke spots and lively bars in addition to the popular grab-and-go eateries. By day, however, the city is an underrated shopper's paradise. Forget the high-fashion boutiques (although you'll find those here, too), as it's all about neighborhood hotspots. From ceramic studios to sustainable zero-waste havens, these are the best places for shopping in Seoul.
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Black Friday travel deals are steadily rolling in and we've already got our eye on some of the best of them. The holiday season is in full swing and excited shoppers are waiting with bated breath for the latest and greatest deals on the market. It's time to take yourself on that much-needed trip as a gift for getting through the hectic planning of Thanksgiving. Snap up these jaw-dropping travel opportunities before Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday are in full swing—some of which are from Readers’ Choice Award–winning hotels and cruise lines. While Black Friday marks the first official round of exciting money-saving deals, there are dozens of offers already available, and even more ready to drop on Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday.
Americans’ desire to visit the Asia-Pacific region has reached a high, and airlines are rushing to provide new routes that capture the rising interest.
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Its translucent teal waters, neatly terraced rice fields and ancient Shinto shrines make Iki Island an unforgettable place. But like so many resorts in Asia, it's easy to overlook this out-of-the-way destination — and a five-star hotel like the Iki Retreat by Onko Chishin.