In May, the Royal Caribbean Cruises announced their new Southeast Asian Itineraries for 2025-26. From October 2025 to March 2026, Royal Caribbean International will debut the thrilling Ovation of the Seas in Singapore. This trip will feature a variety of 3- to 5-night itineraries, showcasing stunning destinations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Disney also announced its 2025 cruise adventures in Southeast Asia. In 2025, the Disney Adventure cruise ship will commence operations from Singapore’s Marina Bay Cruise Centre. This initiative is a result of a five-year collaboration between the Singapore Tourism Board and Disney Cruise Line, as announced by the then-Minister of Trade Relations S. Iswaran in 2023.
To solidify its position as a premier cruise destination in Asia, the Department of Tourism (DOT) of the Philippines is pushing for more lenient visa policies for cruise ship passengers. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco disclosed that the DOT is collaborating closely with the Bureau of Immigration to simplify visa procedures for cruise travelers. This effort highlights the Philippines’ dedication to bolstering its cruise tourism industry and drawing in more international cruise visitors. In tandem with visa liberalization efforts, the Philippine government is focusing on enhancing infrastructure to bolster the cruise tourism sector. The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has announced blueprints for constructing new ports exclusively for cruise ships in prominent tourist spots.
Joining the Philippines, Vietnam's tourism strategy will focus on maximizing its sea and island resources to create competitive products in beach resorts, marine eco-tourism, and cruise tourism, aiming to rival neighboring countries in the region. This strategic direction is outlined in the tourism master plan covering the period from 2021 to 2030, with a vision extending to 2045, which was endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha last month.
