Asia Cruise Ports
Big cities, street food and temples, with ports that are easy to do on your own.
Asian cruise ports tend to be big, busy cities rather than small harbour towns, and the terminals are often some distance from the sights. That changes how you plan a day: the first question is how long it takes to get from the ship to the part of the city you want to see, and the second is how reliable your return journey is.
The good news is that public transport, taxis and ride-hailing are cheap, safe and easy to use in the ports we cover, so most people do not need an organised tour. A contactless card or a transit card, a translation app and a screenshot of your ship's name in the local language go a long way.
Food is a reason to go in its own right. Hawker centres in Singapore and street stalls in Busan serve dishes that are inexpensive and very good, and a day ashore is often best organised around a lunch. We add ports to this region as we cover them, so check the guides for what each stop is actually like.
When to sail
- Best months
- February to April for Singapore, and April, May, September and October for Busan.
- Shoulder season
- Singapore is hot and humid all year, so there is no real shoulder. For Busan, March and November are cooler but still pleasant.
- When to think twice
- Busan's rainy spell in late June and July, and the typhoon risk in late summer. Singapore has no true off-season, but the wettest weather falls between November and January.
Getting around
Metro systems are the easiest way to move around: Singapore's MRT and Busan's metro are clean and clearly signed in English. Taxis and ride-hailing are cheap, and drivers are used to visitors. Allow extra time to return to the ship, because terminals can be a long way from the centre.
Money & language
Singapore uses the Singapore dollar and Busan uses the South Korean won. Contactless cards are widely accepted in cities, but carry some cash for street food and small stalls. English is used everywhere in Singapore and is increasingly common on signs in Busan, though a translation app helps.
Typical Asia itineraries
How the major cruise lines usually string these ports together.
Singapore round trip
3–7 nightsSingapore · Kuala Lumpur · Penang · Phuket
Japan and Korea
7–10 nightsBusan · Nagasaki · Fukuoka · Kobe
All 2 Asia port guides
Beaches, food, pier-to-town distances, and an honest verdict on the ship's excursions.
Ships that sail the Asia
What's onboard, cabins, and video tours.
Majestic Princess
From Asia to Australia — Princess' most widely-travelled Royal Class ship.
Norwegian Jade
The ship that began life as the priciest US-flagged liner ever built — now one of NCL's most far-ranging ships afloat.
Celebrity Millennium
The original Millennium-class ship, now a well-travelled Asia and Alaska specialist.
Diamond Princess
Purpose-built for Asia — the only cruise ship with a genuine Japanese bathhouse at sea.
Sapphire Princess
Diamond Princess's twin — built for Asia, now roaming the Pacific and beyond.
Spectrum of the Seas
Royal Caribbean's purpose-built Asia flagship — tech-forward thrills with a genuinely local menu.
Asia cruise questions
Do I need a visa for Asian cruise ports?+
It depends on your nationality and the ports. Many nationalities can visit Singapore and South Korea without a visa for short stays, but rules change, and some cruise stops require an electronic travel authorisation. Check the official requirements for each country on your itinerary before you book.
Is it safe to use taxis and public transport in Asian ports?+
In Singapore and Busan, yes. Both have regulated, metered taxis and safe, well-run metro systems. Use official taxi ranks or a ride-hailing app, and keep the ship's address and all-aboard time with you.
Can I do Asian ports without a ship excursion?+
Usually, yes. Transport is cheap and easy, and the main sights are well signposted. An excursion makes sense for far-flung places, such as the temple at Haedong Yonggungsa from Busan or a full-day trip to a historic city, where a guaranteed return saves worry.