Planning a vacation to Thailand? There will now be one small but important addition to your holiday checklist.
From 1 May, travellers will be required to obtain a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the land of smiles. The TDAC will replace all paper arrival cards, a necessary streamlining of the arrivals process as tourism to Thailand only continues to boom (see: The White Lotus effect). Pre-pandemic, Thailand received nearly 40 million international visitors and has been making a steady return to those levels since 2022. The TDAC follows other countries moving to digitised forms of arrival cards, such as the ETA for the UK which came into effect for Australians in early 2025. Here, we break down what you need to know about Thailand’s updated arrivals system.
What is it?
Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is one of the busiest in the world. (Image: Unsplash/Rach Teo)
The TDAC is a digitised version of the arrival card that’s already in place (the TM6). The key difference is that the TDAC must be submitted prior to boarding and presented to immigration upon arrival.
The TDAC requires visitors to submit their name and passport data, address of stay in Thailand, flight and accommodation information and a declaration of health.
Who requires a TDAC?
All foreign travellers, regardless of if they’re arriving by land, air or sea.
How to apply for a TDAC?
Thailand’s cultural richness draws visitors from around the globe to visit the ‘Land of Smiles’. (Image: Unsplash/Miltiadis Fragkidis)
Travellers must complete their TDAC within 72 hours (or three days) before arrival. You can fill out the form for the TDAC on the Thailand government’s immigration portal, following the steps to fill in your information. Once submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement email and TDAC summary, which you must bring with you to the immigration counter when you arrive.
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Iconic destinations, unforgettable adventures and thrilling onboard adventures; say hello to your next Asia holiday with Royal Caribbean.
When you want to explore the gleaming skyscrapers of Shanghai and the bars of Singapore, but also embrace centuries-old traditions in Japan before traipsing through the lush jungles of Malaysia, a conundrum presents itself: how do you do it all seamlessly without the stress of flying (or repacking)? Enter, Royal Caribbean.
With a brand designed around maximising your holiday time, sip cocktails by the pool or watch Broadway-style performances on board as the ship glides effortlessly from one atmospheric port to the next.
Now that you have Asia at your fingertips with minimal effort, the big question is: which all-inclusive experience (and itinerary) is best for you?
Japan
The itinerary
Prepare for a show, on and off the ship.
The Land of the Rising Sun has never been hotter, and Royal Caribbean has a vast array of unforgettable Japanese itineraries – these range from eight-night adventures to 14-night holidays circumnavigating the country’s islands.
The eight-night Best of Japan sailing is memory-making perfection, kicking off in Shanghai (Baoshan) on 24 October 2026. Stop at fascinating ports to soak in the sweeping landscapes and seascapes of Saikaiminato, Kyoto, Niigata and Hakodate while enjoying incredible dining and adventurous activities onboard Spectrum of the Seas®. Complete your journey back in Shanghai, ‘the Paris of the East’.
Port highlights
See iconic vistas of Japan.
Off the ship, hike the dramatic volcanic peaks of Sakaiminato’s Daisen-Oki National Park, explore the iconic temples of Kyoto, enjoy traditionally brewed sake made in Niigata (the birthplace of many quality sake brands), and taste local flavours at Kanemore Red Brick Warehouse, a premier dining and shopping district in Hakodate.
Don’t miss Royal Caribbean’s Amanohashidate Highlights shore excursion in Kyoto, an exhilarating experience that features a cable car ride up to Kasamatsu Park and includes a visit to Nariaiji Temple, a hillside Buddhist site.
The ship
Step on board Spectrum of the Seas®.
Aboard Spectrum of the Seas®, days at sea are just as action-packed as those on land. Here, 17 dining venues, along with eight bars and lounges, take guests on the ultimate global dining tour. Stop into Sichuan Red, designed specially for this ship, where you can savour a rich tapestry of authentic spices and Asian-influenced flavours. Start with the chef-recommended royal sea cucumber, then move on to a hot and savoury bowl of mapo tofu simmered in a traditional spicy sauce, or authentic pickled radish and duck soup.
Fancy a little post-dinner entertainment? Talk salsa lessons, or book front row seats to Showgirl, a multisensory spectacular that pays homage to the ultimate siren of the stage. You can also take a visual journey into the exotic cultures of the Far East with The Silk Road at Two70®.
Kids (and kidults), as always, are well-catered for, with aqua park Splashaway Bay℠ and the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex®, which offers everything from laser tag to bumper cars. Those looking to relax can find peace in the adults-only solarium, as well as a wealth of treatments at Vitality℠ Spa.
Thailand and Malaysia
The itinerary
Sit down to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.
Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asia sailings deliver the perfect fusion of culture, cuisine and coastlines, and the four-night Penang & Phuket cruise is proof that short escapes can still feel spectacularly rich.
Kick off with Royal Caribbean’s iconic Sail Away Party as Ovation of the Seas® departs from Singapore on 27 February 2026. The itinerary then weaves through two of the region’s most mesmerising destinations: Malaysia’s melting pot of cultures in Penang and Thailand’s sun-soaked island of Phuket.
Each port stop is layered with history, flavour and natural beauty, while each moment spent onboard Ovation of the Seas® is filled with fun and excitement.
Port highlights
Zoom around the ‘James Bond Island’.
In Penang’s George Town, a maze of heritage architecture, vibrant murals and street stalls serving sizzling char kway teow and aromatic laksa come together, blending past and present. Visit the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple to soak up its peaceful energy, ride the century-old funicular to the forested summit of Penang Hill for panoramic views, and wander Batu Feringhi Beach, where the Andaman Sea laps gently against golden sand. Jet skis? Why not?
Then it’s north to Phuket, where both adventure and relaxation beckon. Make the most of the local beach scene at Kata Noi and wander up Monkey Hill for sweeping vistas (and mischievous company). Be sure to book Royal Caribbean’s thrilling shore excursion here – you’ll zip along in a three-engine speedboat to the iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun. After a day of exploration, you’ll have enough time to enjoy a sunset cocktail on the waterfront before returning to your ship for another unforgettable evening.
The ship
Experience thrills aboard Ovation of the Seas®.
Of course, life on board Ovation of the Seas® is just as exhilarating as your adventures off it. Sit down to 16 flavoursome finds, from Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver® to theatrical hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.
Build up an appetite with Royal Caribbean’s iconic onboard activities, from the FlowRider® surf simulator to soaring sky-high on RipCord® by iFLY® and zipping around in bumper cars in SeaPlex®. You can really choose your own adventure.
End the night with Spectra’s Cabaret at Two70®, a fascinating fusion of music, robotics and light that redefines entertainment at sea.
