When it comes to fuss-free holidays, there’s nothing quite as straightforward as hopping onto a cruise ship departing directly from the port of Singapore – or even another nearby port, if you happen to be a fly-cruise enthusiast.
After all, the only thing you really need to do is make travel arrangements and prep for embarkation onto the cruise ship. Once aboard, you can simply kick back and enjoy yourself without having to worry about accommodation, food, drinks, sightseeing or entertainment.
Depending on the kind of cruise holiday experience you’re going for, these trips can range from affordable – think buffet-style meals with accessible activities for the entire family – to sheer luxury, with guided scuba-diving tours, butler service and cabaret shows to boot.
Most cruise ships make it a point to stop at holiday spots which deserve a visit in their own right, meaning you’ll get to tick places off your bucket list without having to commit to a full holiday.
Read on for a list of cruises departing both from Singapore and other accessible ports, ranked from affordable to the most atas (Malay for high-class or sophisticated) of all.
Advertisement
For a different flavour of luxury cruising, consider river cruising as well.
Prices have been converted from their base currency, and are correct as of writing (5 December 2024).
Cruises from Singapore
1. Resorts World Cruises
The Asian-focused cruise operator Resorts World Cruises is a relatively young entrant to the hospitality scene, having been set up by Malaysian tycoon Lim Kok Thay after the winding up of his previous venture, Genting Hong Kong.
But no matter, as two of the three ships operating under Dream Cruises – a subsidiary brand of Genting Hong Kong – are now back in the hands of Resorts World Cruises, which commits them to short one- to three-night cruises out of Singapore with destinations like Melaka, Phuket, Port Klang and Penang.
Genting Dream, the flagship of the cruise operator and the ship plying the Singapore-based routes, offers 1,674 staterooms spread across 18 decks with restaurants, nightclubs, restaurants, live dance productions and shopping out the wazoo, along with an upmarket in-ship experience with private facilities dubbed The Palace.
Prices: From $208 for a one-night from Singapore to Port Klang; $2,108 for a three-night cruise, stopping at Port Klang and Penang
2. Royal Caribbean International
The Royal Caribbean International brand shouldn’t need any introduction for cruise lovers, as its winning formula of short- to medium-length getaways, top-notch on-ship experiences and penchant for value-for-money deals has led it to become the biggest cruise operator by revenue in the world.
Their new headliner, the 348m-long Ovation of the Seas, is landing in local waters come October 2025, with cruises from Singapore to nearby hotspots like Penang, Phuket and Bali.
It’ll feature a host of novel onboard experiences including a full-sized sports court, rock-climbing wall and skydiving experience. There’ll even be a 360-degree glass observation capsule offering views more than 90m above sea level.
Prices: From $299 for a three-night cruise from Singapore to Penang; $770 for a five-night cruise from Singapore stopping at Penang and Phuket
3. Holland America Line
There’s more than 150 years of history behind Holland America Line, a cruise operator that was once directly involved with the ferrying hundreds of thousands of emigrants from the Netherlands to America.
The now-American-owned company specialises in affordable cruise packages for the mass market, banking on a combination of comfortably appointed staterooms, world-class entertainment and diverse on-ship cuisine to keep guests coming back for more.
Their 13-day round-trip cruise from Singapore costs less than $2,500, which is great value considering it stops at Koh Samui, Da Nang and Bangkok. Even when out at sea, there’ll be billiards, pickleball, a blues club and a retro-themed Rolling Stone Rock Lounge to keep all entertained.
Prices: From $2,500 for a 12-night cruise from Singapore stopping at Koh Samui, Da Nang and Bangkok; from $4,540 for a 28-day cruise from Singapore stopping at Darwin, Cairns and Komodo Island
4. Norwegian Cruise Line
For a taste of Nordic seafaring luxury, Norwegian Cruise Line can’t be beat. The six-decade-old cruise operator offers accessibility with all-in packages and promotions baked into their voyages, along with premium offerings for those who’ve got the moolah to splash.
Their 13-day cruise from Singapore comes at an affordable price of around $3,100, considering you’ll be stopping off at Port Klang, Kota Kinabalu, Boracay and Kaohsiung among others.
There are also voyages starting from nearby ports like Taipei, Tokyo, Bali – or even further afield, as the Norwegian Cruise Line caters to a global audience with trips around Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.
Prices: From $3,100 for a 12-night cruise from Singapore stopping at Ho Chi Minh City, Boracay and Kaohsiung; $1,300 for an 11-night cruise from Hong Kong to Coron, Taichung and Okinawa
5. Seabourn Cruise Line
Seabourn Cruise Line takes the all-inclusive cruise experience to its luxurious extreme. Premium spirits, wine and even caviar are all worked into the asking price, along with complimentary wireless Internet, a fully stocked bar within your suite (all oceanfront by default), personalised service and free dining at all restaurants aboard intimately sized ships.
The 300-suite Seabourn Encore cruises from Singapore to Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam for around two weeks, though you can also opt for a 39-day odyssey all the way to Japan, Hawaii and California.
Prices: From $6,720 for a 12-night cruise from Singapore stopping at Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam; $19,400 for a 38-night cruise from Singapore to California
6. Crystal Cruises
Though Crystal Cruises was birthed in 1988 under Japanese parentage, it has since 2022 come into the fold of the American luxury travel company, Abercrombie & Kent.
As a result, its elevated on-ship offerings – which include Broadway-themed shows, an industry-leading passenger-to-crew ratio and the only restaurant by celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa at sea – have now been bolstered by offshore expeditions managed by its parent company.
While its two ships, the Crystal Serenity and the Crystal Symphony – the vessel operating a grand 47-night cruise from Singapore to Koh Samui, Ha Long Bay, Tokyo, Shanghai and more – are both more than 20 years old, they have been recently renovated to bring them their suites into the modern era with contemporary, comfortable furnishings.
Prices: From $9,700 for a 16-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong; from $30,700 for a 47-night cruise from Singapore to Singapore, stopping at Koh Samui, Ho Chi Minh City and Tokyo
7. Ponant
French cruise ship operator Ponant offers a taste of sea life far from the madding crowd with a fleet of intimately sized vessels. The Le Laperouse ship which cruises from Singapore to Penang, Langkawi and Ko Rok Nok Island in Thailand over a leisurely eight-night voyage boasts just 92 cabins and suites across five decks, meaning that guests can expect a holiday both tranquil and relaxing.
Of course, they won’t want for creature comforts either, as Ponant’s ships are suitably equipped with amenities like underwater lounges, tanning decks, spas, libraries and various restaurants (dining is all-inclusive). The cruise operator also boasts voyages from nearby ports like Bali and Japan.
Prices: From $6,220 for an eight-night cruise from Singapore to Penang, Langkawi and Ko Rok Nok Island.
8. Coral Expeditions
Nature junkies, this one’s for you. Australia-based Coral Expeditions runs a tight ship – three of them, to be precise – each designed for shallow draft and high manoeuvrability in normally inaccessible reef systems, rivers and shores.
Naturally, the smaller passenger loads of just 72 to 120 guests per cruise means that you’ll be in for an intimate expedition with carefully curated itineraries that maximise exploration of remote destinations.
Instead of lounging on a pool sipping on mimosas or catching a magic show, you can expect plenty of coastal adventures, snorkelling trips and nature treks out in the wilderness on their cruises from Singapore to Sumatra and the wilds of Borneo.
Prices: From $14,700 for an 18-night cruise from Singapore stopping at Sumatra; $16,000 for a 16-night cruise from Singapore to Makassar
9. Disney Cruise Line
Any ardent seafarer would probably already know that Disney – yes, the House of Mouse – will be setting sail from the Lion City for its maiden voyage on 15 December… 2025. Yes, that means most full-fledged itineraries will only be available beginning from 2026.
When that time comes though, the Disney Cruise Line will be offering three- to four-night cruises from Singapore with aptly themed entertainment, dining experiences, live shows and character interactions drawing from its ever-growing cast.
Expect stories from Disney, Marvel and Pixar to come to life all across the 342m Disney Adventure cruise ship – though of course, there’ll be bars, spas and other entertainment venues suited for more, ahem, mature audiences should they need a break from all the whimsy.
Prices: From $1,400 for a three-night cruise from Singapore to nowhere; from $4,100 for a five-night cruise from Singapore
