Cruise to Thailand and Vietnam from Singapore

If you are looking for an exciting, modern, safe, and clean destination in Asia to start your cruise vacation, a cruise from Singapore offers all this and more. A crossroads between East and west, Singapore has quickly evolved into an international hub for tourism, finance, and culture.

With the development of iconic architectural landmarks, the skyline has changed dramatically over the years and continues to do so at an impressive rate.

Along with the creation of new parks and riverside entertainment, there are immense shopping malls, modern hotels, and a breathtaking skyline.

All this sits around historical gems with whispers of Singapore’s colonial past. Throughout the city, you will find a fusion of Asian and European cultures, attitudes, and traditions.

Four countries, one outstanding cruise vacation

For this spectacular cruise package that includes Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, we vote for Celebrity Cruises. On board, for example, the elegant Celebrity Solstice has one of the best cruise itineraries in this region. 

And as with all Celebrity cruises, you can include your beverage package, Wi-Fi, and gratuities into one package price.

You’ll experience the four countries of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, all in one vacation. And without any of the hassles of taking flights between each destination.

After all, that’s what we love about cruise holidays.

Cruise Package Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong with Celebrity Cruises

We suggest a 20-night package, which will check off many destinations on your bucket list.

• 5 hotel nights in Singapore
• 12-night cruise to Thailand and Vietnam. Start in Singapore and end in Hong Kong
• 3 hotel nights in Hong Kong

Best of all, it’s easy to book yourself. This way, you have complete control over your vacation! And there is always the option to extend your stay. Book hotel nights in Singapore or Hong Kong at the start or end of your cruise!

5 nights Singapore + 12 night Thailand and Vietnam Cruise + 3 nights Hong Kong

Spend four full days sightseeing in Singapore before starting your cruise. That means booking five nights at your chosen hotel.

There’s much to see and do based on our suggested daily itineraries. You may decide to extend your stay and see everything at a slower pace over a greater number of days.

Just remember to book your flights to match your itinerary. This cruise package suggestion starts in Singapore and ends in Hong Kong.

An outbound flight into one city and a home journey departing from another city is called an “Open Jaw” ticket.

Traveling to Singapore from the USA or Europe means a big time difference, so check your arrival times carefully so you are sure to book your hotel for check-in on the correct date.

Day 1: Arrive in Singapore

Arrive at Singapore Airport, having booked your flight with your favorite airline. (Tip! Read our advice about booking your flights online before you book). The name of the international airport is Singapore Changi Airport.

Transfer to your hotel in Singapore using an official taxi standing right outside your arrival terminal. We have great hotel recommendations for you.

Relax, shake off any jet lag, and enjoy your first of 5 nights in Singapore.

Days 2-5: Exploring Singapore

Follow our four days of sightseeing tips before you start your cruise. You’ll find detailed itineraries, including:

Raffles, Little India, Chinatown, and Marina Bay

Botanical Gardens, Orchard Road, and Clarke Quay

Sentosa Island

Singapore Zoo and Night Safari

Day 6: Check in for your Thailand and Vietnam Cruise from Singapore

Check out from your hotel and transfer to the Port of Singapore – it’s finally time to check in for your Thailand and Vietnam cruise that takes you to Hong Kong!

The easiest way to get from the city to the port for your Thailand and Vietnam cruise is by taxi. Ask your hotel for help in making a reservation.

Alternatively, see our detailed information on how to get to the port here.

Your port check-in time is on your cruise ticket. Make sure you get there in time!

• Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
• Name of Ship: Celebrity Solstice – read more about this elegant ship here!
• Start Date: Departures from December to March (Tip! Cruise dates and itineraries are subject to change at any time. Check with Celebrity Cruises at the time of booking.)
• Cruise Port: From the Port of Singapore to Hong Kong

Days 6 to 18: 12-night (13 days) Thailand and Vietnam Cruise with Celebrity Cruises

Cruise Day 1: Singapore

Check-in for your cruise at the port. Explore your fantastic ship, equipped with all the amenities you want and need in any resort.

Head up to the top deck for the sail-away party to experience the city of Singapore from the water’s edge as you leave port.

Before you leave home, we recommend downloading the Celebrity Cruises app to your mobile telephone. It's easy to check in for your cruise, stay connected with family and friends, plan your activities, make reservations, and see all that's happening on board. And you do not need wifi to use it!

Cruise Day 2 and 3: Cruising at sea 

You are cruising at sea on your cruise’s second and third days. The distance from Singapore to Bangkok – your next stop – is over 700 nautical miles, so it takes time to get there.

You are sailing the South China Sea up past Malaysia and into the Gulf of Thailand. Enjoy the days on deck by the pool, or join one of the activities. Find out what’s going on during the day by checking the app for the daily program.

Use this time to read up on the menus in the Main Dining room and specialty restaurants. Look out for special offers or go to specialty restaurants and talk to the staff.

Talk to your cabin steward if you need anything for your cabin or any furniture removed that takes up too much of your space. They are more than happy to help accommodate your needs.

Cruise Day 4 and 5: Bangkok/Laemchabang, Thailand

In Thailand, your cruise ship stays on the dock overnight for a good reason. With so much to see and do in Bangkok during the day and evening, you will be happy for the extra time in port.

The cruise ship docks in Laem Chabang cruise port. It takes about 1.5 hours to get into Bangkok. We strongly recommend that you pre-book transportation or a transfer with a shore excursion. Traffic can be chaotic in the city and very unpredictable.

Some suppliers cater well to the cruise market coming into Laem Chabang. Viator is one of them that does a full-day excursion to temples, markets, and much more, with pick up and drop off at the cruise port.

Remember, the cruise ship stays overnight in port, so you have a second day to explore the city, too.

Instead of doing the long transfer back to ship for your overnight in the harbor, many guests choose to book a hotel. That way, you can stay in the center of Bangkok, ready for a new day of sightseeing.

Bangkok highlights:

• Grand Palace
• Golden Buddha at Wat Pho Temple
• Chatuchak Weekend Market
• Phahurat night market
• Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew).

Visit Siam Paragon, one of the city’s most popular malls, for great shopping. There is a food court on the ground floor, too.

And next door is Central World, even bigger than Siam Paragon, with an array of boutiques, international shops, and local craft shops.

Tourism Thailand has an excellent visitor website with tips and information for getting around Bangkok.

Cruise Day 6: Cruising at sea

On day 6 of your cruise, you sail from Thailand to the capital city of Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. You cruise back through the Gulf of Thailand and out into the South China Sea, past the western shores of Cambodia, and up the southeast coast of Vietnam.

Time to check out the spa on board? There will be a spa menu with many treatment options, or you may want to attend a yoga class or turn up at the gym for a lunchtime workout.

Cruise Day 7: Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam

Visiting this fascinating city is busy, congested, chaotic, and exciting – while at the same time being rich in culture with proud traditions. It can be hot, humid, or rainy. It’s a fantastic experience and one you will be unlikely to forget.

The cruise port is quite far from the city, and a transfer into Ho Chi Minh (also known as Saigon) will take around 1.5 hours.

Once in the center, you are in what is known as District 1. It’s where most of the city’s attractions are, starting at Dong Khoi Street.

The architecture is a blend of traditional sitting alongside traditional French colonial palace. Pick up a guidebook if you choose not to have a guided tour so you learn the history as you see the sights.

The local food is excellent and inexpensive, and your coffee will be laced with ginger and honey. It’s exotic and basic all at the same time.

You can visit designer shopping malls or the city’s largest indoor market, Ben Thanh. Don’t miss the War Remnants Museum, an extraordinary place re-telling the story of Vietnam’s horrific war.

Experience the Mekong Delta

You can walk to the Botanical Gardens and the zoo from the city center or take a local bus to Bin Quoi Village, about 10 km away. The village was created to reflect the scenery of the Mekong Delta region and gives an authentic glimpse into life by the Mekong River if you choose not to do a river excursion on this port of call.

If you want to escape the city, a fantastic day excursion and one that comes highly recommended is a boat journey through the Mekong River. You will see traditional temples, canal islands, floating markets, and the people’s way of life in this unique Delta region.

We recommend booking a shore excursion that includes transportation with your cruise line or a trusted external vendor. Be sure to leave plenty of time at the end of the day to return to the port in good time to be on board again.

Cruise Day 8: Nha Trang, Vietnam

Today, you’ll dock at the coastal resort of Nha Trang at Cau Da Port. Known for its beaches, islands, and protected marine life, Nha Trang also offers a busy city and beach promenade dotted with hotels and restaurants.

There are often free shuttle buses to get you from the port to Nha Trang center. Check with the excursions desk on board before you dock in Nha Trang.

Alternatively, there are taxis by the port which will get you there in 10 minutes.

If you want to shop in the markets, try Cho Dam Market, the city’s primary market.

For a cultural experience, visit Po Nagar Cham Towers and Thap Ba Hot Springs. These sights are located less than a half hour from the center of Nha Trang.

Hon Mun Island is one of the most popular day excursions from Nha Trang. For powder-white sandy beaches and fantastic snorkeling, this is the place. You will need a bus transfer to the harbor and a boat to get you there and back. We recommend booking a ship excursion or an excursion with a trusted external provider.

Cruise Day 9: Da Nang, Vietnam

Today, you’ll be docking at Da Nang, one of Vietnam’s largest cities. You’ll need to decide how to spend your day as there is a lot to see – are you after history and culture, nature or fun and relaxation?

It’s a difficult choice. The full-day excursions that are possible from Danang are numerous and all fantastic.

Enjoy the city’s beaches (My Khe Beach is beautiful), shopping, temples, and cathedrals. Enjoy the fantastic fireworks and water displays on the Golden Dragon Bridge at the weekend.

Alternatively, leave the city to visit the famous Marble Mountains. Or a cable car ride out into the Ba Na Hills, not for the faint-hearted.

The choices are many, and we recommend that you take the time to plan your visit before you leave home. Learn about what there is to see so you choose the best excursion for you and your family.

Cruise Day 10: Cruising at Sea

Today is a good day to catch up on a show you may have missed. Check your cruise planner and see if you can catch some afternoon shows.

Plan to visit a music venue that you haven’t been to yet, or try a new bar up on deck that’s open late under the stars.

Cruise Day 11: Hanoi (Halong Bay), Vietnam

Your final port of call on this cruise to Thailand and Vietnam before arriving in Hong Kong harbor is Hanoi, the ancient capital of Vietnam.

The city is intense at any hour – noisy, crowded, and a scene of chaos. And an unforgettable experience.

Explore on foot the main areas of the Old Quarter and the French Quarter. Shopping is plentiful, but watch out for pickpockets.

Visit the Hanoi Opera House, the Water Puppet Theater, and Ngoc Son Temple. You can reach the temple by walking across the Huc Bridge. The bridge stretches over Lake Hoan Kiem to Jade Island, where the temple is situated.

But by far, one of the most unforgettable experiences is to book an excursion to the limestone mountains of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. Famous, of course, for its outstanding scenic ocean topography.

It’s rather like being transported to another world.

Cruise Day 12: Cruising at Sea

This is your last full day on board the ship, so make the most of the activities, the food, and the entertainment!

Cruise Day 13: Hong Kong, China

Disembark your cruise ship in Hong Kong. Extend your vacation in Asia with a few days at one of our recommended hotels in Hong Kong. Explore Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, and travel easily in between using the Star Ferry. 

How to get from the Hong Kong cruise terminal to your hotel in Kowloon

Most cruise lines now use the newer Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on Victoria Harbour. It also has a fantastic sky garden with water parks and fountains.

It is worth a visit to stroll the gardens and enjoy fantastic panoramic views. Explore before you head to your hotel; it’s home to restaurants, cafes, and bars offering local craft beers.

And it’s hard to believe it was once the old airport that used to service international flights into Hong Kong. You will see some structures that give a nod to its aviation history.

Taxi: A taxi is the most convenient way to get from the cruise terminal to your hotel. You may have to be a bit patient as it will be crowded.

Bus: A city bus takes about 30 minutes to get from Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to Kowloon. Check with the driver who stops you need for your hotel.

Shuttle Bus: There are often free shuttle buses at the cruise terminal, which can take you to the nearest metro station. Public transport is easy to use. But just be sure you know the name of the closest station to your hotel.

How to get from Hong Kong cruise terminal to Hong Kong International Airport.

If you decide not to extend your stay in Hong Kong, there are taxis at the cruise terminal to take you to the airport.

Alternatively, book a shore excursion that ends at the airport. This way you can enjoy a sightseeing day in the city.

Recommended hotels in Hong Kong

We recommend that you stay in the tourist area of Kowloon, close to the main shopping on Nathan Road. You are close to shopping and entertainment. And the Star Ferry service that takes you across the bay to Hong Kong Island is within walking distance.

Here is a list of our favorite cruise customer-friendly hotels in Hong Kong:

• Hilton Garden Inn, Hong Kong Mongkok
• Stanford Hotel
• Holiday Inn Golden Mile
• Kowloon Hotel
• Park Hotel
• Royal Pacific Hotel
• Intercontinental Grand Stanford

Days 18 to 21: Discover Hong Kong

Book 3 nights in a hotel at the end of your cruise to explore Hong Kong. The public transport in Hong Kong is excellent. Don’t be afraid to use the MRT train, buses, or cable cars to get around.

City Tour

See the best of Kowloon’s Tsim Sha Tsui area on a one-day self-walking tour. For great shopping and numerous lunch venues to choose from, start at Ocean Terminal Deck. The observatory tower gives outstanding panoramic views.

Alternatively, visit Hong Kong’s tallest building, the International Commerce Center. You get 360-degree views on the 100th floor. And even a Virtual Reality Experience of how Hong Kong used to be hundreds of years ago.

Temple Street is full of markets and street food, while Nathan Road offers designer labels and major hotel chains.

Walk the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade by Victoria Harbour in the evening. Stay until dark and watch Symphony of Lights. The musical show is performed every evening, weather allowing. It combines colorful lights and lasers lighting up Hong Kong’s skyline and harbor.

Hong Kong Island

Hop onto the Star Ferry in Kowloon and take the short boat ride from Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island. Take the tram to Victoria Peak and climb to the observation deck. This is the best and most breathtaking view of Hong Kong.

Lantau Island

From Kowloon, take a boat ride or a train to Lantau Island. The beaches are suitable for swimming and relaxing.

Best of all is a visit to the village of Ngong Ping. It’s a 20-minute cable car ride from Tung Chung station. A visit to the beautiful Po Lin Monastery is well worth it. Follow up with a climb to the breathtaking Tian Tan Buddha. This is one of the world’s largest statues of a sitting Buddha.

How to get from the city center to Hong Kong International Airport.

Airport Express Train

The quickest way to get from the city center to the airport is by using the Airport Express train. The Airport Express train starts at Kowloon station. You may need to book a taxi ride to get to the station.

Airport Shuttle Service

Use the airport shuttle services directly from your hotel to the airport. It will take a bit longer, but you get door-to-door service. And it will be a less expensive way to travel than a taxi.

Stay in a major hotel and ask when booking if you can reserve seats on the airport transfer bus for your return journey to the airport.

The Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Kowloon, and Park Hotel have this bus service, along with Langham Hong Kong, Royal Pacific Hotel, and the InterContinental Grand Stanford. But check with your hotel when booking, as this is subject to change.

The service costs around USD$20 per person.

Taxi

The most expensive option for two people traveling together is to take a taxi from your hotel to the airport. Ask your hotel concierge to organize a taxi for you. The journey is about 30 minutes and will cost around USD $40.