Vietnam Joins Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore with New Cruise Routes in 2026: What You Need to Know

The cruise industry is accelerating its return to Southeast Asia by introducing new routes and reinstating ports that have been absent from itineraries for years. In 2026, several lines are launching first-time or reimagined voyages across Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Singapore. These routes range from boutique two‑night journeys in Vietnam’s secluded bays to multi‑country voyages that span nearly a month. They demonstrate both regional governments’ commitments to developing cruise tourism and operators’ confidence that demand for Southeast Asia will grow. The following sections outline each of these new routes and explain their significance for travellers and the regional economy.

Vietnam’s Emerging Coastal Routes

Beihai (China)–HaLong (Vietnam) seasonal route

For decades, HaLong Bay has been a popular destination for cruise ships, but scheduled sailings from China’s Beihai City are new. Starting in October2025 and running through April2026, Vietnam’s HaLong International Cruise Port is hosting the first season of a sea route linking Beihai and HaLong. An inaugural call by the BlueDreamMelody signalled the opening of the route. During the 2025–2026 season, nine voyages are planned, allowing Chinese tourists to reach northern Vietnam directly by cruise ship[1]. Officials hope the route will increase regional tourism cooperation and pave the way for longer‑term scheduling.

HeritageLine’s BaiTuLong Bay voyage

Halong Bay’s success has inspired Vietnamese operators to seek less‑crowded alternatives. HeritageLine—a boutique cruise company—announced in June2025 a new two‑night itinerary to BaiTuLong Bay, a lesser‑visited area northeast of HaLong. Sales opened in August2025, and the first sailing is scheduled for 2January2026. The cruise uses HeritageLine’s tiny six‑suite ship Violet and accommodates just 12 guests[2]. Unlike typical day trips around HaLong Bay, the three‑day itinerary offers immersive experiences such as visiting floating villages, exploring geological caves, kayaking in peaceful lagoons and enjoying secluded beaches[3]. Moving away from mainstream Halong itineraries reflects a deliberate strategy to provide more authentic, sustainable experiences and reduce overtourism.

StarDream Cruises’ Regional Exploration

Expanded cruises from Malaysia and Singapore

StarDream Cruises (formerly Dream Cruises) will base the GentingDream in Singapore for the 2026–2027 season and has announced several new short cruises. Beginning in April2026, the ship will offer three‑night voyages to PulauRedang and four‑night itineraries that combine KohSamui and PulauRedang. Longer five‑night sailings will call at Bangkok (via LaemChabang) and return to the Thai resort island, while December2026 sees the return of five‑night cruises to Bali[4]. The season also reintroduces KualaLumpur (PortKlang) and the historic port of Melaka as departure points, restoring two Malaysian gateways that have not hosted major cruise turnarounds since before the pandemic[5]. To diversify passenger options, StarDream is adding 3‑night and 4‑night itineraries from PortKlang and Melaka to Singapore and Penang[6]. These changes not only broaden access for Malaysian travellers but also underline Malaysia’s ambition to develop multiple cruise hubs along its west coast.

Windstar Cruises’ StarSeeker Program

Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand

Luxury small‑ship operator Windstar Cruises is deploying its new 312‑guest ship StarSeeker to Southeast Asia in 2026. One of the core itineraries is a ten‑day voyage linking Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Departing from Hanoi or Bangkok, the cruise spends multiple days in Vietnamese ports with overnight stays in HoChiMinh City and Hanoi, and includes a visit to Cambodia with an option for an excursion to AngkorWat[7]. Shore excursions emphasise cultural immersion, combining river experiences with visits to UNESCO World Heritage sites. The itinerary appeals to travellers who want to sample both Southeast Asia’s urban centres and its ancient history without the longer transoceanic legs found on world cruises.

Thailand, Singapore & Malaysia

A second core itinerary focuses on Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. This 11‑day route calls at six Thai ports—such as Krabi, KoYaoNoi and KoMak—and features an overnight in Singapore[8]. By including smaller Thai islands alongside major hubs, Windstar offers a blend of beach destinations and cultural experiences. The line allows guests to combine itineraries into 17 different variations or extend their journey through pre‑ and post‑cruise tours to Hanoi, AngkorWat or ChiangMai, providing flexibility and encouraging longer stays in the region[7].

Princess Cruises’ Enhanced Presence

DiamondPrincess returns to Southeast Asia

Princess Cruises’ 2026‑2027 program positions the DiamondPrincess in Singapore from November2026 to March2027. The season comprises eleven voyages that visit 28 destinations across eight countries. Core itineraries are 10‑ to 16‑day round‑trip cruises from Singapore calling at Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. One highlighted route is a 14‑day “Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam” itinerary visiting PortKelang (for KualaLumpur), HoChiMinh City and LaemChabang (for Bangkok)[9]. Longer 16‑day and 24‑day sailings include UNESCO‑listed HaLong Bay and other Vietnamese ports such as DaNang and Hue[9]. The season opens and closes with 14‑ to 31‑day repositioning voyages between Singapore and Japan via Taiwan and HongKong, culminating in an ambitious 31‑day itinerary that also visits Ishigaki, Okinawa, Kochi and Kobe[9]. These extended routes signal Princess Cruises’ confidence in Southeast Asia’s market and offer travellers deep exploration of multiple countries.

RoyalPrincess debut voyages

Beyond the DiamondPrincess, Princess Cruises will bring the 3,560‑guest RoyalPrincess to Southeast Asia for the first time. According to the 2025 announcement, the ship will reposition from Seattle to Singapore via a 26‑night cruise that includes calls in Alaska, Japan and HongKong before arriving in Singapore[10]. In October2026 it will operate two cruises from Singapore: a nine‑night Southeast Asia voyage featuring an overnight stay in HoChiMinh City and calls at KoSamui and Bangkok, followed by a 15‑night repositioning cruise to Australia visiting Lombok, Darwin, YorkeysKnob and Brisbane[10]. These back‑to‑back voyages can be combined into a 24‑night experience, giving guests a rare opportunity to sail through Southeast Asia and onwards to Australia in one trip[10].

Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas Expansion

Royal Caribbean International is expanding its presence in China and Southeast Asia with the Spectrum of the Seas during the 2026‑27 season. Starting in May2026, the ship will operate from Shanghai and HongKong, offering itineraries ranging from two to nine nights. New eight‑night adventures will take guests to MountFuji and Nagoya in Japan[11]. Other sailings will include ports such as Tokyo, Osaka, Okinawa, Busan and Jeju, while select itineraries from HongKong will also call at DaNang and Hue in Vietnam[11]. The program introduces a “cruise‑to‑nowhere” experience from HongKong and special holiday voyages with themed entertainment[12]. Although not exclusively Southeast Asian, the inclusion of DaNang and Hue brings new large‑ship options for Vietnamese ports.

Seabourn’s Luxury Voyages

Seabourn, a leader in ultra‑luxury cruising, unveiled its 2026–27 fall, winter and spring season with a strong focus on Asia. SeabournEncore will undertake 11 sailings across Japan and Southeast Asia from December2026 to April2027, visiting more than 46 ports in 11 countries[13]. The season introduces two round‑trip voyages from Singapore: an eight‑day “Malaysia &Thailand” cruise and a 14‑day “Gulf of Thailand &Malaysian Peninsula” itinerary[14]. These cruises feature signature experiences such as the line’s “Caviar in the Surf” beach barbecue on KoKood, and overnight stays in Bangkok or HoChiMinh City[14]. Seabourn is also offering a 22‑day holiday voyage that departs Singapore on 14December2026 and ends in HongKong on 5January2027, visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam with a Christmas stop at KoKood[15]. By blending luxury amenities with immersive shore experiences, Seabourn aims to attract affluent travellers seeking longer, slow‑paced explorations.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Asia‑Pacific Journeys

Carnival Cruise Line will enter the Asian long‑cruise market in late2026 with CarnivalLuminosa and CarnivalAdventure. The new programme features four voyages covering Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia[16]. The first departure on 9October2026 is a 14‑day cruise from Tokyo to Singapore with maiden calls at HongKong, Osaka and Fukuoka in Japan, Seogwipo on Jeju Island, Taipei and HoChiMinh City[17]. On 30November2026, CarnivalLuminosa will sail a 14‑day voyage from Singapore to Brisbane, visiting Bali, Darwin, Cairns and AirlieBeach[18]. In 2027, CarnivalAdventure will operate a 14‑day cruise from Sydney to Singapore via AirlieBeach, Darwin, Bali and Lombok, followed by a nine‑day round‑trip from Singapore with maiden calls at KohSamui, Bangkok and Sihanoukville in Cambodia, alongside a visit to HoChiMinh City[19]. Carnival emphasises that these itineraries represent some of its most “exotic and diverse offerings” in the Asia‑Pacific region[20]. With maiden calls at multiple ports, the line is venturing beyond its traditional markets and providing new cruising options for Southeast Asian travellers.

Significance for Southeast Asia

The proliferation of new routes underscores the region’s rising appeal and the willingness of cruise operators to invest in Southeast Asian ports. For governments, these itineraries translate into increased tourism revenue and incentives to upgrade infrastructure. Vietnam, for example, is leveraging the Beihai–HaLong route and the BaiTuLong cruise to draw more high‑value Chinese and international tourists. Malaysia’s addition of PortKlang and Melaka as turnaround ports is poised to disperse economic benefits beyond Singapore. Thailand and Cambodia will see more overnight calls, which typically generate higher onshore spending. Meanwhile, the luxury segment—led by Windstar and Seabourn—highlights a trend towards longer stays and culturally immersive excursions, aligning with sustainable tourism goals.

These routes also bring cruise ships into ports that previously lacked large‑ship visits. Carnival’s maiden calls at Osaka, Fukuoka, Seogwipo, Sihanoukville and AirlieBeach illustrate the market’s expansion. Royal Caribbean’s inclusion of DaNang and Hue exposes Vietnam’s central coast to a new demographic of travellers. Combined with the return of established lines like Princess Cruises and the homeporting of the GentingDream, the 2026 season signals a robust and diversified recovery for Southeast Asian cruise tourism.

Conclusion

In 2026, Southeast Asia will witness a diverse array of new cruise routes ranging from boutique ventures in northern Vietnam to multi‑country expeditions that connect the region with Japan and Australia. Government‑backed infrastructure improvements and cruise lines’ desire to capitalise on pent‑up demand are driving this expansion. As the region opens new ports and offers itineraries that balance cultural immersion with leisure, travellers will have more opportunities than ever to explore Southeast Asia by sea. These developments not only reaffirm the region’s prominence in the global cruise market but also promise to spread tourism benefits across lesser‑visited destinations.

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