Asia & the Pacific
Japan to New Zealand, Tahiti to Hawaii — seasons and routes explained.
Get Free Cruise QuotesAsia and the Pacific cover a vast area — from Japan’s cherry blossoms to the Great Barrier Reef and the volcanoes of Hawaii. Each part has its own season and style.
Asia
Japan is a highlight: spring and autumn are the most popular seasons, for blossoms and autumn leaves. Southeast Asia — Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia — is often cruised in the drier, cooler months of the northern winter. Cruises from Singapore and Hong Kong range from short getaways to two-week voyages, and repositioning voyages link Asia with Australia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Asian port days often involve long transfers: Bangkok, Hanoi and Beijing, for example, lie well inland from their cruise ports. Planning matters. Our sister site Asia Shore Excursions covers shore excursions across the region.
Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific
Cruise season here follows the southern summer, roughly from spring to autumn there. Popular routes circle New Zealand’s North and South Islands, including the fiords of the far south, sail the Australian coast, or head into the South Pacific to islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. French Polynesia — Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea — is cruised year-round, mostly on smaller ships.
Many North American travelers combine a cruise with land time in Australia or New Zealand, since the flight is long. A two-week cruise is common.
Hawaii
Hawaii can be cruised year-round in two ways. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America, a U.S.-flagged ship, sails 7-night inter-island round trips from Honolulu, with overnight stays on some islands. Other ships sail round trip from the U.S. West Coast or Vancouver, usually spending around half the voyage at sea crossing the Pacific — ideal if you love sea days.
Volcanoes on the Big Island, the Na Pali coast of Kauai and Maui’s Road to Hana are typical highlights. For more, see our sister site Hawaii Cruise.
Asia & Pacific Questions
Do I need a passport for a Hawaii cruise?
U.S. citizens on a cruise that stays entirely within Hawaii, such as an inter-island round trip from Honolulu, are traveling within the United States. Cruises from the mainland normally call at a foreign port on the way, so check the documents your line requires and carry a passport when you can.
What is the best time for an Australia or New Zealand cruise?
The main season follows the southern-hemisphere warm months, from roughly spring to autumn there — the northern winter. That is when most ships are based in the region.
Are Asia cruises long?
Many are 7 to 14 nights, often from hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo or Shanghai, and longer voyages connect several countries. Flying time to the region means most travelers add a few days on land.
Plan an Asia or Pacific Cruise
Tell us the region and season you are considering. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will suggest itineraries, including pre- and post-cruise stays, and send free quotes.
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