11 Major Cruise Ports in Asia
Cruise Ports: The idea of seeing Asia’s mystery from atop a luxury cruise ship through various ports appeals to travelers who are interested in experiencing many cultures all at once. Many international cruise lines conduct a wide range of voyages in Asia. Travelers from all over the world come to Asia to discover its ancient traditions and ever-changing topography, terrain, and languages.
Although one can arrange a flight directly from the UK or the US to Singapore, Beijing, Seoul, Shanghai, or Hong Kong, a cruise is an ideal choice. As the saying goes, the voyage is more beautiful than the destination. There are many different routes one can take, such as a two-week voyage between Hong Kong and Singapore with stops at Vietnamese ports or an exploration of the Indonesian islands.
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Thailand, Malaysia, China, and South Korea are all popular destinations for cruise ships. In Asia, new cruise destinations include Japan and Myanmar. Asia’s cruise season runs from November to March. Some cruise lines provide year-round services, such as Chinese firms that cater to regional markets.
A well-known cruise departs from Hong Kong and arrives in Singapore, or vice versa, with a significant international airport located in either city. The typical duration of this cruise is 10 to 15 days, including ports of call at Cai Lan for Halong Bay or Hanoi, Chan May for Hue, Hoi An, or Da Nang, Phu My for Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville for Angkor Wat, and Laem Chabang for Bangkok and Phuket. A 30-day cruise gives you the opportunity to see more of the world, with potential stops at Malaysia, the Philippines, or Thilawa for Yangon.
In this blog, we will take you through the eleven major cruise ports in Asia, that will help you plan your ideal voyage.
11 Major Cruise Ports in the Asian Continent
1. Ha Long Cruise Port, Vietnam
Vietnam is a country with foggy hills, shimmering rice fields, tall waterfalls, gleaming white sand beaches, and crystal-clear waterways. In addition to lovely towns and cities, it is a haven for nature.
Vietnam is a well-known Asian cruise destination due to its attractions. The capital, Hanoi, is accessible to tourists from the ports of Cai Lan, Ho Chi Minh, and Halong Bay. However, the only harbor able to hold the largest cruises and yachts in the world sailing toward Ha Long Bay is the Ha Long international cruise port.
The peaceful and picturesque Vietnamese villages that provide the nation with its food served as the inspiration for the contemporary terminal design. It is positioned in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Bhai Chay Tourist Hub on Ha Long Bay. Six wharves are available in the port, four of which are for yachts and cruise ships and the other two are for the largest international cruise ships.
2. Tanjung Benoa Cruise Port, Bali
Paddy fields, steep slopes, fruit orchards, friendly people, and distinctive Buddhist architecture can all be found in Indonesia. Bali is a resort destination that provides a variety of trips and action-packed adventures. The most thrilling cruises on the schedule take place in March during Nyepi Day or the Balinese New Year.
Famous cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Cunard, Costa, Celebrity Cruises, and P and O Australia dock at the cruise terminal. Bali receives more than 50,000 cruise passengers worldwide each year, which helps the region’s economy, which is nearly exclusively dependent on tourism and related businesses.
The contemporary terminal building is outfitted with every amenity. The port’s close proximity to well-known locations like Sanur, Denpasar, and Nusa Dua provides an additional benefit.
3. Port Klang Cruise Terminals, Malaysia
The largest and busiest port in Malaysia is Port Klang. It has two cruise terminals that welcome cruises from other countries. The Glenn Marine Group’s Port Klang Cruise Centre provides service to Kuala Lumpur, the nation’s capital and one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Cruise companies like Royal Caribbean, Costa Cruises, and Star Cruises make port calls there. Exotic temples, grand mosques, breathtaking skyscrapers, traditional structures, and serene beaches are all open to tourists.
The Petronas Twin Towers, as well as fresh seafood, curries, rice puddings, and many other things, are famous in Kuala Lumpur. The National Museum and the Royal Selangor Club are must-see locations for history buffs. One of the biggest Hindu sanctuaries, the temple caves, is located in the Batu caves.
Also Read: 11 Major Ports of the World
4. Manila Port, Philippines
Tropical beaches, stunning teal waters, lagoons, rivers that wind around rocky coastline formations, and contemporary skyscrapers are all features of the Philippines. Visitors to the nation may dock at the ports of Manila, Puerto Princesa, Ilocos, and Boracay.
These facilities each provide a distinct and distinctive experience. While Manila offers active nightlife, Boracay and Puerto Princesa are famed for their white sand beaches, resorts, restaurants, and indigenous cuisine. There are several historical buildings in Ilocos.
Manila’s cruise port includes two piers that are more than 450 meters long. When visitors arrive, the staff throws a modest welcome celebration for them and the crew.
5. Port of Shanghai, China
With three international terminals, the Shanghai Cruise Port is a crucial stop for Asia Pacific Cruises. At the junction of the Yangtze and Huangpu rivers, in Paotaiwan Bay, is where you’ll find the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. It holds the distinction of being China’s best natural harbor owing to its service infrastructure and natural water depth. It has a 1500-meter quayage and a 40-meter width.
The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal has a 40-hectare shoreline and is located along the Huangpu River, not far from the city center. It can hold up to four 70,000–80,000 tonne passenger liners at once, carrying one million passengers yearly.
Pudong New Area’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Port Cruise Terminal is located around seven kilometers from Wusongkou Port and thirty kilometers from the city’s center. With a depth of 13 meters, it can accommodate the heaviest cruise ships in the world—over 200,000 tonnes. It can accommodate four cruises at once in its 1000 m berth.
6. Thilawa Port, Myanmar
Thilawa, a deep-water port, is located 24 kilometers from Yangon. The Myanmar International Terminal Thilawa, or MITT, is its name. Before docking, the cruise ships must travel three hours upstream. A shuttle bus service to the port exit is usually provided by cruise ships. The port’s grounds are off-limits to pedestrians because it is a major commercial location.
The Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon is one of Thilawa’s most well-known lodging establishments. It is a five-star hotel that offers a regal vacation. The handcrafted ceramics, clay goods, and other handicrafts from Yangon are well known. These are primarily produced by underprivileged communities.
7. Port of Tokyo, Japan
There are four terminals in the Tokyo Cruise Port: the Harumi, Takeshiba, Hinode, and the brand-new Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. In 1991, the Harumi passenger terminal was inaugurated. It manages both domestic and foreign cruise ships.
A conference center and an observation deck are also included. It has the yearly Tokyo port festival there in May, which is followed by a lovely fireworks display. It has three berthing facilities spread across 1500 m.
In 1995, the Takeshiba Terminal underwent renovation. It links Tokyo to the islands of Izu and Ogasawara. Small and medium-sized cruise ships dock at the Hinode terminal. Whereas Oasis-class cruise lines can dock at the Shinkayu pier at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. Its 550 m berth measures 12 m in depth. The 19,000 m2 building has four stories and was built in 2020.
8. Port of Incheon, South Korea
A historic city, Incheon was first colonized by Westerners in the 1880s. During the Korean War, General Douglas Macarthur landed there as well. Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is accessible from the International Cruise Terminal of Incheon and is home to over 10 million people.
It serves as a commercial and tourist hub. Seoul offers the ideal fusion of modernity and traditionalism, with its busy streets next to palace gardens and skyscrapers in contrast to its historic shrines.
In order to give the finest possible customer service and provide a beautiful passenger facility, the cruise terminal continues to strive. It was built in 2017 and put into use in April 2019. There are two levels, a departure hall, a movable gangway, an arrival hall, baggage check-in, and an information desk in the 7,400 m2 terminal. It features a number of docks where cruise ships and yachts can dock. Every year, some 50,000 tourists disembark at the dock.
9. Laem Chabang Port, Bangkok
The Thai capital is served by the Laem Chabang cruise terminal. On the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of Thailand, sits the charming city of Bangkok. Bangkok is renowned for its golden-spired Buddhist temples, historic buildings, mountains, canals, and a traditional way of life free of outside influences.
Thailand was founded in 1782 by King Rama I and is the only nation in Asia that has never been colonized. Fundamentally nationalistic, its citizens refer to their country as “Muang Thai”—The land of the Free.
At the Laem Chabang International terminal, which is 25 minutes from Pattaya, the large cruise ships are accommodated. In addition to gift shops and duty-free areas, this terminal features food and beverage stands as well as an information desk. The Khlong Toey, the second cruise terminal, is used by small cruise ships.
10. Hong Kong Cruise Terminal
In Hong Kong, cruise ships either land at the Ocean Terminal, which is adjacent to Tsim Sha Tsui on the Kowloon peninsula, the Star Ferry Terminal, or the recently constructed Kai Tak Terminal, which is situated in the center of Victoria Harbour. The former was put into use in 1966 and has two berths for cruise ships up to 50,000 tonnes in weight. The latter was built in 2013 and has a 380 m long cruise berth. It can accommodate 220,000 DWT cruise ships.
Popular destinations include Victoria Peak, the Temple Street night market, and the Stanley Market for shopping. Ferries and harbor cruises are both available. Numerous excursions are planned to Macau, renowned for its nightlife and casinos, and Lantau island, which is home to the monastery with the largest outdoor Buddha statues in the world.
The coastal location of Hong Kong gives it an edge in trade and tourism. These are two important sources of income for its economy. The most modern vessels may port in the natural deepwater harbors, which also offer quick services.
11. Taipei Harbor (Keelung), Taiwan
The newest international port in Taiwan is the Port of Taipei. It is also known as Taipei Harbor, which is located in the Bali District of New Taipei. Port of Tamsui started the project’s first phase in 1993, and it was finished in 1998.
The gateway to Taiwan’s economic, political, and cultural center, Taipei, which is situated on the northern end of the island, is the port city of Keelung. The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, New Park, Long Shan Temple, Confucian Temple, Taipei City Gate, and floral gardens are among the tourist attractions.
The National Palace Museum is a work of art in its own right as an architectural marvel. It was constructed at the base of a mountain range covered in forest. Up to 3,000-year-old works of art are among the exhibits of the National Museum of History and the Taiwan Provincial Museum.
So, this was the list of the 11 major cruise ports situated in Asia, which are the most popular among tourists. Check out our other blogs to know more such interesting details about the maritime industry!
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