The 15-Day Asia Cruise with Norwegian Sun was intense, diverse, humid, colorful and, at one point, genuinely terrifying. It was 15 days across Southeast and East Asia, with temples, chaotic cities, turquoise water, insane skylines and one wave that almost made me question all my life decisions.
We embarked in Singapore and disembarked near Taipei, Taiwan, crossing Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan in a single itinerary. Compared to my previous cruises through the Mediterranean on Norwegian Epic and Northern Europe on Norwegian Prima, this one felt wilder, more unpredictable and far more physically demanding.
Before boarding, I spent 3 nights in Singapore. After the cruise, I added 3 more nights in Taipei, because flying all the way to Asia just to see cities for a few hours felt like a crime.
Out of all the countries on this 15-Day Cruise through Asia, Singapore, Vietnam, China and Taiwan were completely new for me. And if I had to summarize the entire experience in three words, it would be: intense, diverse, exhausting.
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Celebrating Christmas and New Year on Our 15-Day Asia Cruise
One thing that made this Cruise even more special was the fact that we spent both Christmas and New Year onboard Norwegian Sun. For Christmas, the ship was fully decorated the entire time. Christmas trees everywhere, garlands, lights, huge gingerbread decorations and staff constantly saying Merry Christmas in the hallways. It felt cozy, even though outside it was tropical Asia.
New Year’s Eve was fun in a completely different way. There was a party on the top deck, with music, vuvuzelas and a lot of people just happy to be there. At midnight, everyone received a free glass of champagne, and I loved seeing “2026” written out of massive ice blocks on deck. It was such a simple detail, but it made the moment feel more real.
Spending the holidays during this Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan added something emotional to the whole experience. It was not just another trip, it felt like closing one year and starting a new one in the middle of the ocean.
15-Day Asia Cruise with Norwegian Sun – Full Itinerary, Honest Review & Travel Tips
15-Day Asia Cruise Itinerary at a Glance:
• Singapore
• Koh Samui
• Laem Chabang (Pattaya)
• Ho Chi Minh
• Puerto Princesa
• Boracay
• Coron
• Hong Kong
• Keelung (Taipei)
Singapore – The Perfect Start of my 15-Day Asia Cruise
My cruise with Norwegian Sun started in Singapore, and I honestly could not have chosen a better city for embarkation. I spent 3 days here before boarding, and it felt like the minimum needed to understand this ultra-organized, spotless and surprisingly green city-state.
Founded as a British trading post in 1819, Singapore feels engineered to perfection. What impressed me most was not the skyline around Marina Bay, but the cleanliness, the vegetation and the way every space feels intentional and beautifully designed.
Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay is absolutely worth visiting before a cruise. I also loved Fort Canning Park, the Garden Rhapsody light show, Chinatown and Jewel at Changi Airport.
Singapore is expensive, especially for accommodation and food, but public transport is excellent and easy to use. If I had to live in one city from this Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan, it would be Singapore without hesitation.
Day one: Embarkation in Singapore and Our First Sea Day on Norwegian Sun
Embarkation in Singapore was slightly more chaotic than I expected. Several Asian countries required additional forms and checks, and our luggage arrived later in the cabin, which made the first hours feel a bit disorganized. When I first saw Norwegian Sun in port, I immediately noticed it was smaller and less spectacular than Norwegian Prima. No giant slides, no rooftop karting, and overall a more classic design.
The first full day of our 15-Day Asia Cruise was spent at sea. Sea days on an Asia cruise can be relaxing, but they also depend heavily on weather and ship size. On Norwegian Sun, you can spend your time at the buffet terrace at the back of the ship watching the waves, relaxing in the jacuzzi, going to the theater, playing ping pong or simply sleeping. I personally loved sitting outside near the buffet, staring at the ocean and feeling that we were truly crossing Southeast Asia.
The atmosphere onboard felt calmer than on Norwegian Prima, with more passengers in their 50s and 60s. It was not a party ship, but it was comfortable, and our interior cabin was spacious and cozy enough for 15 days. Little did we know that some of those sea days would become far less relaxing later on.
Days 3, 4 & 5: Koh Samui and Pattaya – Thailand Stops on Our Southeast Asia Cruise
Our Southeast Asia Cruise first stopped in Koh Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand that felt tropical, humid and overwhelmingly crowded. I liked it, but I definitely felt we didn’t have enough time to really understand it.
We joined a local tour and visited a few beaches and temples, including one where a mummified monk is displayed in a glass case. It was one of those moments that makes you stop and think for a second.
Then we docked in Laem Chabang, an industrial port about two hours from Bangkok, so we focused on Pattaya instead. Pattaya is chaotic and loud, but also unexpectedly interesting. The Sanctuary of the Truth completely impressed me, an enormous wooden temple covered in intricate carvings, with artisans still sculpting details by hand.
The gigantic botanical gardens were another surprise, honestly one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Thailand lately.
We also stopped at Pattaya Viewpoint, the Big Buddha and even the largest 7-Eleven in the world, because yes, I notice these things. One of my favorite moments was sitting at The Chocolate Factory café, overlooking the sea, with good desserts and surprisingly decent prices.
Thailand on this Cruise through Asia felt intense and colorful, but the long distances from the port made everything more rushed than I would have liked.
Day 6: At sea
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – A Chaotic but Magnetic Stop in Vietnam on This Cruise Through Asia
Our next stop on this Cruise through Asia was Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. It is Vietnam’s largest city, and from the first minute, it felt chaotic, noisy and strangely magnetic.
We mostly moved around by Uber, trying to cover as much as possible in a single day. We passed by the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, which was unfortunately under renovation, walked along Book Street and stopped near Tao Dan Park for a short break from the traffic.
The pink Tan Dinh Church stood out immediately in the middle of the city. We also explored The Cafe Apartment, a former residential building transformed into small cafés stacked on top of each other, and wandered through Ben Thanh Market.
Ho Chi Minh City officially became the name of Saigon after 1975, following the end of the Vietnam War, and the city still carries that complex history. It is not polished or perfectly organized, but it has a certain energy that pulls you in.
I am not particularly drawn to Vietnamese cuisine, but I did try the famous egg coffee, and surprisingly, I liked it. Vietnam on this 15-Day Asia Cruise felt intense and real, but the cancellation of Nha Trang was the first sign that the sea might not stay calm for long.
Day 8&9: Too Many Sea Days – What It’s Really Like on a 15-Day Asia Cruise
After Thailand and Vietnam, the sea days started to feel longer than I expected. Nha Trang was canceled because of rough weather and strong waves, so we ended up with even more time crossing the South China Sea. On Norwegian Sun, you feel the movement much more than on Norwegian Prima. At first it was fine, I would sleep, eat, sit outside near the buffet at the back of the ship and watch the waves, maybe relax in the jacuzzi or go to the theater.
But sailing from Hong Kong to Taiwan was different. One afternoon, just after we entered the cabin, a massive wave hit the ship so hard that for a second I genuinely thought something had broken. The whole ship shook violently, metal noises everywhere, and then silence. No screaming, just people looking at each other in the hallway.
I went upstairs to see the ocean and it looked dark and aggressive. The crew reassured us and the captain later made an announcement, but I was honestly scared. That was the moment I realized that for a 15-Day Asia Cruise, ship size matters. Norwegian Sun handled it, but you feel every movement.
Day 10: Puerto Princesa – A Slow but Beautiful Start in the Philippines
Puerto Princesa, located on the island of Palawan, was our first stop in the Philippines on this 15-Day Asia Cruise. Compared to the previous ports, everything felt calmer and more relaxed.
I had actually been here before, years ago, when I visited the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This time, I did not repeat it, but I still remember how impressive that underground cave system was.
Instead, we took a tuk tuk from the port to Honda Bay and from there tried to find a boat to Cowrie Island. It took longer than expected to organize things locally, which is something to keep in mind if you explore on your own during a Southeast Asia Cruise.
Once we reached Cowrie Island, though, the atmosphere completely changed. Clear water, soft sand and that laid-back Filipino vibe that immediately lowers your stress levels. Puerto Princesa may not be as dramatic as Coron, but it was one of the easiest and smoothest ports of the entire Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan.
Day 11: Boracay – A Popular Stop on Our 15-Day Asia Cruise
Boracay was one of the most anticipated stops on our 15-Day Asia Cruise with Norwegian Sun. As part of this Southeast Asia Cruise, it is often promoted as a tropical highlight, mainly because of White Beach. The water here is honestly among the most beautiful I have ever seen, easily in my top choices across Asia. The shades of turquoise are intense and almost unreal in strong sunlight.
However, Boracay on a cruise is not the same as staying there for a full vacation. As a tender port, the process of getting ashore takes time, and on our Cruise through Asia we lost almost two hours between waiting and transfers.
White Beach is stunning but extremely commercial and very crowded. We walked along the main stretch, explored the central area near the mall and joined a local island-hopping tour to see nearby beaches. One of my favorite moments was kayaking in a transparent kayak over that clear water, being able to see everything underneath while floating above those intense blues.
Boracay is undeniably photogenic and it fits perfectly into an Asia Cruise Itinerary focused on tropical contrasts. But if you are looking for quiet, untouched paradise, you may need to go further than the main beach area.
Day 12: Coron – The Most Dramatic Stop on Our 15-Day Asia Cruise
Coron was the stop I was most excited about on this 15-Day Asia Cruise. I had visited nine years ago, and I was curious to see if it would still feel as special. Finding a tour at the last minute was stressful, everything was fully booked, which shows how popular Coron has become on a Southeast Asia Cruise. Eventually, we managed to secure spots for a tour to Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon.
Kayangan Lake is often described as having some of the cleanest water in the Philippines. For me, the most spectacular part was not even the lake itself, but the entrance through the limestone cliffs, where the water is so clear it almost looks unreal.
Coron still feels dramatic and raw, with steep rock formations rising straight from the sea. Even though there were many boats around, the landscape remains one of the most impressive on this Cruise through Asia. If I had to choose one tropical highlight from this Asia Cruise Itinerary, Coron would probably win.
Day 13: At sea
Day 14: Hong Kong – Skyline, Speed and a Sprint Back to the Ship
Hong Kong was one of the most dynamic stops on our 15-Day Asia Cruise with Norwegian Sun. After the tropical calm of the Philippines, the city felt vertical, intense and fast.
We went straight to Victoria Peak, and both the view from the top and the skyline itself were impressive. Seeing the dense forest of skyscrapers and Victoria Harbour from above is one of those classic Cruise through Asia moments that stays with you.
We also walked along the Avenue of Stars, where you can see the skyline of Hong Kong Island and the statue of Bruce Lee. It was extremely crowded, probably the most crowded place of the entire Southeast Asia Cruise. Temple Street felt more authentic, while Sneakers Street was clearly more touristy. Overall, Hong Kong felt much more like China than Europe to me.
The only stressful part was getting back to the ship. We cut it very close and had to take a very fast Uber ride to reach the port on time, arriving among the last passengers. Hong Kong added that dramatic skyline contrast to this Asia Cruise Itinerary. Intense, crowded, but unforgettable.
Day 15: At sea
Day 16: Taiwan – The Underrated Star of Our Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan
Our 15-Day Asia Cruise ended in Keelung, the port city near Taipei. I spent three extra days in Taiwan after disembarkation, and I am very glad I did. Taipei honestly surprised me. Out of all the big cities on this Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan, it felt the most balanced and comfortable.
Taipei 101 impressed me both from the outside and from the top. But the view from Elephant Mountain was even more satisfying, even if the climb was steep and exhausting. I explored night markets like Ningxia and walked through Shimen Ting, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and several busy neighborhoods. Jiufen and Shifen had that cinematic Asian vibe, even though we caught cold and rainy weather.
Shifen Waterfall is sometimes compared to a smaller Niagara. It is not huge, but the color of the water and the surrounding vegetation make it worth the visit. Cat Village felt more touristic than I expected, and not as charming as I had imagined. But overall, Taiwan felt polite, organized and surprisingly underrated.
If I compare Hong Kong, Shanghai, which I also briefly visited after, and Taipei, I would choose Taipei. It felt more welcoming and less overwhelming. Ending this 15-Day Asia Cruise here felt right. Singapore has my favorite skyline, but Taiwan left me with a softer and more personal impression.
Norwegian Sun Cruise Review: Interior Cabin, Food and Atmosphere
This Norwegian Sun Cruise Review is based on a full 15-Day Asia Cruise, so I had enough time to understand the ship properly. Norwegian Sun is smaller and older than Norwegian Prima. You notice it immediately, there are no giant slides, no rooftop karting and fewer “wow” entertainment features.
That said, the interior was well maintained and surprisingly spacious. Our Norwegian Sun interior cabin was comfortable, functional and easy to live in for two weeks. The bathroom was slightly smaller than on Norwegian Prima, but still very practical. I slept extremely well almost every night, except during the rough sea days between Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Food was diverse and decent, but after 15 days it started to feel repetitive. The desserts, as on my previous Norwegian cruises, could definitely be improved. I liked that pancakes were prepared fresh on request, but I missed being able to serve my own ice cream like on Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Epic. Small detail, but you notice it on a long cruise.
The atmosphere onboard was calm, with passengers mostly in their 50s and 60s, though there were people of all ages. It was not a party ship, but it felt relaxed and comfortable.
Where Norwegian Sun struggles a bit is stability. Compared to Norwegian Prima, which felt incredibly steady in Northern Europe, you feel much more movement here, especially on a Southeast Asia Cruise with open sea crossings.
Overall, for the price we paid, around 2500 euros for two people for accommodation and food, the value was strong. But for routes with many sea days and potentially rough waters, I would personally consider a larger ship next time.
Things to Know Before Booking a 15-Day Asia Cruise
Before booking a 15-Day Asia Cruise, there are a few important things I wish I had considered more carefully.
1. Sea Conditions Can Be Rough
On a Cruise through Asia, especially when crossing the South China Sea, weather can change quickly. Nha Trang was canceled due to rough waves, and sailing from Hong Kong to Taiwan was genuinely intense.
If you are sensitive to motion, bring seasickness medication. On Norwegian Sun, you definitely feel the movement more than on larger ships.
2. Tender Ports Take Time
Several stops on this Southeast Asia Cruise were tender ports, meaning you are transferred to shore by smaller boats. This can easily cost you one to three hours round trip.
Passengers with ship-organized excursions usually get priority, so if you explore independently, expect waiting times.
3. Ports Are Sometimes Far from Major Cities
Laem Chabang, for example, is about two hours from Bangkok. On a short stop, that distance makes it unrealistic to visit the capital comfortably.
When choosing an Asia Cruise Itinerary, always check how far the port actually is from the city you want to see.
4. Plan Tours in Advance in Popular Destinations
In places like Coron and even Puerto Princesa, finding last-minute tours was stressful. Everything gets fully booked quickly.
If you want to explore independently during a Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan, research and reserve in advance whenever possible.
5. Food Is Good, But 15 Days Is a Long Time
Food on Norwegian Sun was varied and decent, but after two weeks you start recognizing the same dishes. Nothing was bad, but nothing was mind-blowing either.
I liked the fresh pancakes made on request, but I did miss small things like self-serve ice cream from my previous cruises. On a long Asia Cruise, little details suddenly matter more than you expect.
6. Choose the Ship Carefully
After sailing both Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Prima, I realized something very simple: on routes with many sea days, the ship makes a huge difference.
Norwegian Sun handled everything safely, but you feel every wave. For a 15-Day Asia Cruise with long open-sea crossings, I would personally choose a larger, newer ship next time.
7. The Value for Money Is Strong
We paid around 2500 euros for two people for accommodation and all meals onboard. For visiting multiple countries without repacking every few days, the price-to-value ratio was very good.
You just need to understand what a Southeast Asia Cruise actually involves: long distances, possible delays and unpredictable weather.
8. Visa Requirements and Entry Forms
For this 15-Day Asia Cruise, I personally did not need a visa for any of the countries on the itinerary. However, this depends entirely on your nationality, so you absolutely need to check visa requirements well before departure.
Some countries require online entry forms to be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. The ship’s staff will usually remind passengers about these deadlines, and in some cases, you may even receive a few complimentary Wi-Fi minutes onboard to complete the forms if needed.
Do not assume that because it is a cruise, paperwork does not apply. On a Cruise through Asia, immigration rules still matter, and it is your responsibility to verify everything in advance.
Is a 15-Day Asia Cruise Worth It? Final Thoughts
So, is a 15-Day Asia Cruise worth it? For me, yes. But only if you understand what it actually involves.
This Cruise from Singapore to Taiwan was intense, diverse and sometimes exhausting. We saw futuristic skylines, chaotic cities, wooden temples carved by hand, turquoise lagoons and one ocean that reminded me how small we actually are.
The Philippines were the tropical highlight. Singapore had my favorite skyline. Taiwan surprised me the most. And yes, the sea between Hong Kong and Taiwan genuinely scared me. Compared subtly to my Northern Europe cruise on Norwegian Prima and my Mediterranean cruise on Norwegian Epic, this one felt wilder and less predictable. But that unpredictability is also what made it memorable.
Would I do a Southeast Asia Cruise again? Yes, absolutely. Would I choose a larger ship next time for routes with many sea days? Also yes.
For around 2500 euros for two people, including accommodation and food for 15 days across multiple countries, the value for money was very strong. You wake up in a new destination without repacking, without booking trains or flights, without changing hotels every two nights.
A 15-Day Asia Cruise is not just relaxation. It is exploration, logistics, patience, humidity, color and contrast. If you go in knowing that, it can be one of the most diverse travel experiences you will ever have.
If you understand what a 15-Day Asia Cruise truly involves and choose the right ship for the route, it can become one of the most diverse and memorable travel experiences you will ever have.
