12 MARKETWATCH Cruise lines expand east with more ships in Asia for 2027 As Asia grows in popularity among passengers brands including Swan Hellenic, Windstar Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Explora Journeys prepare to send ships to the region Demand for cruising opportunities in Asia is growing, with 4.06 million people sailing in the Asia and Oceania region in 2024 compared with 3.6 million in 2023, according to Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) State of the Cruise Industry Report 2025. To meet passenger demand, cruise lines are increasing the number of ships and itineraries available in the region from 2027 and beyond. Swan Hellenic will sail its first-ever cultural expedition cruises in the South Pacific and Asia from 5 April to 20 May 2026 onboard Minerva. The cruise line will offer a 13-night cruise from Honiara in the Solomon Islands to Jayapura in Indonesia; a 10-night voyage from Jayapura to Sorong in Indonesia; a nine- and 11-night sailing from Sorong to Manila in the Philippines; and an 11-night journey from Manila to Hiroshima in Japan. “We’re so proud that Minerva, the emblem of Swan Hellenic’s renaissance, is bringing the magic of this extraordinary region to our enthusiastic guests for the first time,” said Patrizia Iantorno, chief commercial officer at Swan Hellenic. “These first four cultural expedition cruises of the Asia-Pacific offer deep explorations of its immense cultural diversity and natural beauty, while launching a new chapter of global exploration for Swan Hellenic.” Windstar Cruises’ newest yacht Star Seeker will sail two itineraries in Southeast Asia in 2026, which can be combined with pre- and post-cruise tours. Windstar Cruises will take advantage of Star Seeker’s size to access smaller ports and docking locations that larger ships cannot reach, including sailing rivers to dock in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Bangkok in Thailand, stopping at Koh Kood in Thailand – a port visited by only select small ships – and travelling to Krabi and Koh Yao Noi. In 2026-2027, Carnival Cruise Line will debut four new itineraries sailing to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia onboard former P&O Australia ships Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure. The ships will make maiden port calls to seven destinations in the region, offering 14-day cruises from Tokyo, Japan, to Singapore; from Singapore to Brisbane, Australia; and Sydney, Australia, to Singapore. They will also sail a nine-day roundtrip from Singapore. “These new itineraries represent some of our most enchanting and diverse offerings in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Photo: Unsplash/Luke Ow
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