8 cruise itineraries around Asia perfect for celebrations

Whatever occasion you’re celebrating, there’s a perfect cruise to help you do it.

Travel is inherently a celebration, but aligning it with a major milestone enriches the experience tenfold. In these moments, travel should be stress-free and joyful, free from coordination headaches. Cruising has long been the ultimate celebratory getaway, and a voyage in Asia affords an effortless blend of cultural immersion, seamless travel and time dedicated to honouring life’s sweeter moments.

Discover the best cruise itinerary for your next celebrations.

Best for celebrating new love

Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, Thailand — Lean into the romance on a Phi Phi Islands boat ride. (Credit: Miltiadis Fragkidis)

Newly in love? They say you can’t really know until you travel together, and joining a cruise will be one of the gentlest ways to test that theory (goodbye fighting over missed flights, and hello quality time onboard and in port).

A great cruise to start with is Royal Caribbean’s five-night Penang, Phuket & Langkawi itinerary, on Navigator of the Seas®. Lean into the romance during a boat ride around the Phi Phi Islands of Phuket. Chase waterfalls together at Telaga Tujuh in Langkawi. Book a romantic dinner of Tuscan-inspired cuisine on board at Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver. And be sure to book a couple’s massage at Vitality℠ Spa.

Best for celebrating birthdays

Izumi Sashimi — Kick off the birthday celebrations at Izumi Teppanyaki

Milestone birthdays (or any birthdays, we won’t judge) beg to be commemorated by something a little more than drinks at home with friends. Travel makes it unforgettable, and Royal Caribbean’s six-night Seoul, Jeju & Busan itinerary means you can tick off bucket list items as you welcome in a new year of living. The journey takes place onboard Spectrum of the Seas®, a Quantum-Ultra Class ship, making it the biggest in the region.

Kick off the birthday celebrations with dinner at Izumi Teppanyaki℠, where an expert chef brings your meal to life right before your eyes. Follow dinner up with Showgirl, a dazzling tribute to an iconic stage siren, and a late-night boogie at the ultimate 70s disco party. For a change of pace, take in the vibrancy of Seoul as you stroll along Cheonggyecheon Stream, or take the cable car to N Seoul Tower for sweeping city views.

Best for celebrating family

royal caribbean bumper cars celebrations — All ages will love the bumper cars.

As families get older, the chances to spend quality time appreciating and celebrating each other seem to disappear. Buck that trend on Royal Caribbean’s 10-night Bangkok and Vietnam Cruise on Quantum of the Seas®.

This may be the best ship for multi-gen travel you’ll ever find. Get the blood pumping and create family moments with onboard activities like the Ripcord® by iFly® skydiving simulator, bumper cars in Seaplex® or the surf simulator Flowrider®. Relax by one of several pools around the ship. And find a restaurant for every taste.

Port days offer perfect experiences for active families with kids or teens, blending adventure with enriching cultural experiences. From a traditional Vietnamese bamboo dance in Ho Chi Minh City to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hue Imperial City.

Best for celebrating anniversaries

Royal caribbean couple bar — Spend special moments together.

Unlike a new couple, anniversaries are for celebrating a love that has already lasted far beyond your first travel experience together. Make it the start of a beautiful new chapter on Royal Caribbean’s nine-night Japan itinerary.

The carefully curated port stops allow guests to explore parts of Japan and South Korea that many haven’t visited, or are harder to reach. Take it slow in Kagoshima, where Sengan-en Garden – a traditional samurai estate – offers dramatic views, with rolling ocean and a smouldering volcano forming the backdrop. Dive into the hot springs of Kumamoto for a little yutori.

On board, gaze over the ship and ocean from on high inside the North Star® – Royal Caribbean’s iconic glass capsule observation pod. Or book an unforgettable anniversary dinner at the Chef’s Table, an exclusive, multi-course culinary journey led by the ship’s own Chef de Cuisine.

Best for celebrating work achievements

Quantum of the Seas spa — Lounge onboard Quantum of the Seas.

Work achievements call for a moment of treating yourself, and often push us to finally take that well-earned break. Lean into slow travel and return completely reset with Royal Caribbean’s Transpacific Cruise options. Spend 14 nights journeying into Singapore from Seattle to Tokyo, or the epic 17-night adventure from Tokyo to LA.

Either way, spend plenty of time between ports with no alarm clocks, no schedules and no commute on Quantum of the Seas or Navigator of the Seas. Work your way around the multitude of dining options. Book a seat for world-class late-night entertainment. Spend the afternoon getting pampered at the spa. And enjoy nights of star-gazing from your room’s private balcony.

Best for celebrating the girls

Aerial top-down view of Patong Beach with tourists, umbrellas — Enjoy beach days with the girls. (Credit: Getty/ Jitti Narksompong)

Friendships can change our worlds, in the best of ways, and deserve to be celebrated. Take your group on Royal Caribbean’s four-night Penang and Phuket itinerary on Navigator of the Seas.

Grab a pre-game drink on board at R Bar. Dress up for fresh lobster rolls and indulgent seafood platters at Hooked Seafood. And sip cocktails by the pool in tranquil, adults-only spaces like the Solarium. In port, relax on the white sand beaches of Kata Noi, or continue the party on famous Patong Beach. And be sure to search for the best street eats in Penang’s UNESCO-listed George Town – famous for its street art and vibrant hawker lanes.

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Best for celebrating Mum

woman getting a massage — Thank Mum with a massage at Vitality Spa.

Show Mum how much she means to you on Royal Caribbean’s eight-night Osaka & Tokyo overnight cruise onboard Spectrum of the Seas. This is an especially perfect trip for mums who appreciate a blend of culture, history, gardens, food and unique experiences to share with their kids.

Wander historic temples and perfectly manicured gardens, then relax at local hot springs. Indulge in Japan’s best food offerings, from sushi to wagyu steaks to tastings of locally brewed sake. On board, let Mum unwind with a massage and facial at Vitality Spa. And give her a well-earned rest from kids at the adults-only Solarium.

Best for celebrating a reunion

spectrum of the seas for celebrations — Get the gang back together.

Unfortunately, life can often get in the way of seeing our nearest and dearest, so reunions have to be intentional. Whoever you’re meeting, the Royal Caribbean three-night Jeju itinerary on Spectrum of the Seas is the best way to do it. The perfect length for a low-commitment catch-up that is high on fun – celebrate, reconnect and make new memories between reminiscing on the old.

Bond over a group hike up the dormant Mount Hallasan volcano. Catch your collective breath in an herb sauna or jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse). Book a meal onboard at Chops Grille℠, perfect for the type of long lunches that reconfirm friendly bonds.

Start planning the celebration of a lifetime at royalcaribbean.com.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

8 cruise itineraries around Asia perfect for celebrating any milestone