Singapore anchors Southeast Asia cruise growth as lines expand itineraries

Southeast Asia welcomed about 3.9 million cruise passenger visits in 2024 and generated roughly US$10 billion in economic output, according to the report. That represented approximately 5% of the global cruise industry’s total.

Singapore and Malaysia together accounted for about 70% of the region’s passenger visits that year, with Singapore representing 48%, the report said. In 2025, Singapore registered 375 ship calls and more than 2 million passengers.

Cruise lines are adding or extending regional programs from the city-state. Royal Caribbean plans to homeport Navigator of the Seas in Singapore through October 2027, operating three- to five-night voyages that include Penang and Phuket. Disney Adventure is scheduled to begin four-night round-trip sailings between Singapore and Langkawi on December 31, 2026.

Princess Cruises will offer an 11-night Royal Princess voyage in 2026, visiting Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand before returning to Singapore. Its 2026–2027 program also features longer regional routes, including an itinerary from Singapore through Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia before returning to Singapore.

Separately, a YouGov survey commissioned by Royal Caribbean found that 74% of surveyed Asian travelers considered multi-destination European cruises highly appealing. The share increased to 82% among respondents from Indonesia.