Why an Asia cruise should be at the top of your must-do list

Even among the more seasoned cruisers, it’s common to find people who have not adventured past the confines of northern Europe, the Med and the Caribbean.

Of course, these regions have a multitude of fabulous itineraries. But it’s a big world out there, and people are missing out.

One of the most criminally underrated cruising regions is Asia. What part of the world has a bigger variety of landscapes, cultures and cuisines?

In fact, the umbrella term “Asia cruise” does the region a disservice. A voyage to Asia can take you to paradise beaches in Thailand or Sri Lanka, futuristic metropolises like Shanghai or Singapore or cultural hotspots in India or Japan.

And with most Asia cruises beginning or ending in sensational cities, adding hotel stays makes complete sense.

Need more convincing? Iglu Cruise is running a Bespoke Handcrafted Cruise & Stay March Flash Sale with many sailings to Asia this month – the perfect excuse for a trip east. You can save up to £75 per person, and book with a reduced deposit!

Here are some of our favourite deals from the sale:

The Spice Route from Mumbai to Singapore

This 17-night all-inclusive adventure (19 if you include the overnight flights) takes you from India to Singapore via Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia aboard Celebrity Millennium.

The trip starts with a two-night hotel stay in Mumbai, followed by a cruise to Goa and Cochin (India); Colombo, where the ship stays overnight, and Hambantota (Sri Lanka); Phuket (Thailand); Penang and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia); and Singapore. The trip ends with a two-night hotel stay in Singapore.

This package includes:

• International flights
• Transfers
• Hotel stays in Mumbai and Singapore
• 13 nights aboard Celebrity Millennium in your chosen cabin
• Full-board dining onboard

Classic Drinks Package & Wi-Fi during the cruise

Prices for this Spice Route from Mumbai to Singapore package start at £2,699 per person. 

Taiwan, Philippines & Indonesia from Hong Kong to Bali

This luxurious trip begins with a 2-night hotel stay in Hong Kong. After boarding the Seabourn Quest, you’ll set sail for Taiwan before heading to the Philippines, with stops in Manila and Coron.

Indonesia is next, where Seabourn Quest calls at Bitung, Ternate Island, Bau-Bau and Benoa (Bali). This adventure ends with a two-night hotel stay in Seminyak (Bali).

This package includes:

• International flights
• Transfers
• Hotel stays in Hong Kong and Bali
• 13 nights in an Ocean Front Suite aboard Seabourn Quest (other suite options are available)
• Meals, drinks and tips during the cruise

The outbound and inbound flights are overnight, meaning the total duration of this trip is 19 nights.

Prices for this Taiwan, Philippines & Indonesia from Hong Kong to Bali package start at £6,579 per person.

Tokyo stay, Mt Fuji, Hiroshima, Osaka & South Korea

This roundtrip cruise holiday begins with a three-night hotel stay in Tokyo and a full-day tour, including a Hakone Sky Gondola ride for views over the Owakudani Valley, a cruise on Lake Ashi with Mt. Fuji as backdrop, and a Bullet Train ride back to Tokyo.

The stay is followed by a 12-night cruise aboard Celebrity Millennium from Tokyo to Shimizu (for Mt Fuji), Kyoto (for Osaka), Kochi and Hiroshima. The ship then crosses the East Sea for a stop in Busan (South Korea), before returning to Japan where it stops in Hakodate, Aomori and, finally, Tokyo.

This package includes:

• International flights
• Transfers
• A 3-night pre-cruise stay in Tokyo
• A Mt Fuji with Bullet Train tour
• 12 nights aboard Celebrity Millennium in your chosen cabin
• Full-board dining onboard
• Classic Drinks Package & Wi-Fi during the cruise

With outbound and inbound overnight flights, the total trip duration is 17 nights.

Prices for this Japan & South Korea from Tokyo package start at £3,099 per person.

Seoul, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, & Osaka to Tokyo with stays

This South Korea-Japan trip starts in Seoul with a two-night hotel stay. Guests will then board Norwegian Spirit for an 11-night cruise. The first stop on this voyage is Yeosu. The Korean city is on the Yeosu Peninsula, which consists of 48 inhabited islands and another 317 uninhabited.

Norwegian Spirit then crosses the East Sea to Japan, stopping in Sasebo, Hakata, Hiroshima, Kochi, Kobe (for an overnight onboard the ship), Nagoya, Shimizu (for Mt Fuji) and, finally, Tokyo. This trip ends with a two-night hotel stay in the Japanese capital.

This package includes:

• International flights
• Return transfers
• Hotel stays in Seoul and Tokyo
• 11 nights aboard Norwegian Spirit in your chosen cabin
• Full-board dining onboard
• Premium Drinks Package during the cruise

With outbound and inbound overnight flights, the total trip duration is 17 nights.

Prices for this South Korea and Japan from Seoul package start at £3,079 per person.

Singapore Stay, Gardens by The Bay, and Malaysia & Thailand cruise

This 14-night roundtrip itinerary starts with three nights in Singapore, including a tour of Gardens by the Bay. Following the stay, guests will board Diamond Princess and head on a nine-night cruise to Malaysia and Thailand.

The voyage starts with stops in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi in Malaysia. Diamond Princess then sails to Thailand, where it calls in Phuket before a final stop in Malaysia (in Penang) and ends the Thailand part of the journey, calling in Koh Samui and Bangkok. The ship finally returns to Singapore, where the cruise ends.

This package includes:

• International flights
• Return transfers
• A three-night hotel stay in Singapore
• A tour of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
• Nine nights aboard Diamond Princess in your chosen cabin
• Full-board dining onboard
• Some drinks, including regular tea and coffee and water

With outbound and inbound overnight flights, the total trip duration is 16 nights.

Prices for this Singapore Stay, Gardens by The Bay, and Malaysia & Thailand cruise package start at £2,649 per person.

Discover all deals from the Iglu Cruise Bespoke Handcrafted Cruise & Stay March Flash Sale.