OPINION: Other Port-of-Call Options for Singapore Cruises
The article where we suggest alternatives to Port Klang, Penang and Phuket.
Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas in Port Klang, Malaysia. PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Port Klang, Penang and Phuket are the most common destinations when cruising from Singapore. All three are frequented by cruise ships operating out of the island nation, and ships stopping by South East Asia. Penang is a historical city, home to colonial-era buildings and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Port Klang is the gateway to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, and Phuket, Thailand, is a world-famous premier beach destination.
Where’s The Variety?
There’s nothing wrong with visiting the same ports over and over. Cruises in the Caribbean frequently visit major ports like Nassau, St. Maarten, Falmouth and Puerto Rico. However, that’s where the similarities end. Unlike Caribbean cruises which have a plethora of ports to visit, cruises out of Singapore generally only visit three.
Now, we should reiterate that we personally enjoy Penang and Phuket as ports-of-call very much. (Except Port Klang. Port Klang’s main attraction is trees.) But when you consider that South East Asia is geographically larger than the Caribbean, at 4,545,792 sq km (1,755,140 sq mi), compared to the Caribbean’s 275,400 sq km (106,300 sq mi), it puts into perspective the lack of variety in destinations.
At present, cruises by both Royal Caribbean International and Resorts World Cruises visit Port Klang and Penang, Malaysia, while Phuket, Thailand is scheduled to welcome the return of cruise passengers in October 2022 with Spectrum of the Seas. Apart from a few one-off trips to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan in 2023, most voyages only visit the three aforementioned destinations.
So in today’s article, we will be suggesting alternative ports-of-call or ports we wish cruise ships visit more often on short to medium-length cruises departing from Singapore, and highlighting some of the common activities guests can take part in during their time in port.
Ports-Of-Call
The variety of ports on each voyage is also limited by destinations’ distance from Singapore. As such, when suggesting potential ports of call, we have divided this list into different sections for different cruise lengths.
2-4 Night Cruises
Langkawi, Malaysia
Langkawi used to be a frequent port-of-call for Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, and we’d like to return by cruise ship again! The archipelago is surrounded by turquoise waters, and home to beautiful waterfalls and forest valleys. See the sights with the Langkawi Cable Car, which takes visitors to the Langkawi Sky Bridge at the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang. There’s also the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park, a mangrove forest park consisting of limestone caves and three interconnected river estuaries. Langkawi’s Duty-Free status also allows for Duty-Free Shopping.
Redang Island, Malaysia
Redang Island is one of the largest islands off the coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s part of the Terengganu Marine Park, it’s a popular snorkelling and diving location, famous for its beaches with crystal clear waters. Visitors may also have opportunities to encounter sea turtles at the SEATRU Turtle Lab at Taaras Resort, as the island is a breeding ground for sea turtles. Visitors may even have a chance to witness baby turtles being released during hatching season, around April to October. Hiking is also a popular activity to take in the local flora and fauna.
Krabi, Thailand
In terms of distance from Singapore, Krabi is not very far from Phuket, making it a great alternative. Much of the province is designated as National Parks, like Khao Phanom Bencha National Park and Than Bokkhorani, offering inland scenic attractions including waterfalls and caves, and opportunities for trekking, bird watching, and eco-tours. Kayaking, sailing, bird watching, and snorkelling are also popular activities. Beaches are also a big part of the Krabi experience, and Railay Beach near Ao Nang is accompanied by tall limestone cliffs. It is no wonder Railay Beach is the venue for the Rock and Fire International Competition, held around mid-April.
5-7 Night Cruises
Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Located on the island of Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, in the East Malaysian state of Sabah, is a coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest. It’s home to bustling markets, modern boardwalks, beaches and the waterfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. It is also a gateway to Kinabalu National Park, the home of 4,095m-tall Mount Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu is also home to the Mengkabong Water Village, situated on Pulau Gaya.
Koh Samui, Thailand
Koh Samui is no stranger to tourists. Its beautiful beaches and scenery attract travellers from far and wide, and the island is dotted with multiple resorts and hotels to house these travellers. On the island, festivals and events also reign supreme, with notable examples like the Buffalo Fighting Festival, or the Samui Regatta. Koh Samui is also nestled in between Singapore and Laem Chabang, Thailand, making it a perfect stopover point for cruise ships heading to and from the major ports.
Jakarta, Indonesia
This is where culture meets history. Jakarta, on the island of Java, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Southeast Asia, with influences from the Malay, Javanese, Arabic, Chinese and Dutch. Visit Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village to learn about the Betawi people, the natives of Jakarta. The city also houses numerous monuments like the National Monument in Merdeka Square. Shopping malls like Plaza Indonesia and Gandaria City, and a plethora of traditional markets populate the city as well.
Special Mention
Tokyo, Japan
No, we don’t mean Yokohama, Japan. For those unaware, Tokyo inaugurated the new Tokyo International Cruise Terminal in 2020 which is capable of handling Oasis-class cruise ships. Compared to Yokohama, the new facility, located in Odaiba, is geographically closer to central Tokyo. Why no one is using the terminal is beyond us.
After learning about other possible destinations for cruises from Singapore, perhaps those among us seeking a bit more wanderlust may be interested in crafting your own dream itinerary! If so, please leave your itineraries, as well as other destinations that we did not mention in the comments! We’d love to see what you can come up with!
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