Singapore, 28 May 2026: The Singapore Tourism Board and Princess Cruises have announced a three‑year partnership that will significantly expand the cruise line’s presence in Singapore, reinforcing the city‑state’s position as a leading cruise hub in Asia Pacific.
The agreement will see Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess and Grand Princess operate from Singapore as part of a wider plan to increase the cruise line’s presence in the city-state. The partnership is expected to bring more than 150,000 passengers to Singapore over the deployment period and contribute to the country’s tourism and maritime sectors.
Three ships to operate from Singapore
Princess Cruises’ expanded programme will include multiple deployments from Singapore over the three-year period. The number of sailings is expected to double by 2030, supported through Singapore Tourism Board’s Cruise Development Fund.
The ships will operate longer itineraries ranging from 10 to 28 days, allowing passengers to visit several destinations across Asia during each voyage. The programme will include round-trip cruises from Singapore to destinations in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
The cruise line will also offer longer voyages connecting Singapore with Japan, widening the range of regional and extended Asia sailings available to international guests.
Itineraries to cover Southeast Asia and Japan
The itineraries will feature shore excursion opportunities across the region. Destinations named in the release include Langkawi in Malaysia, where guests can take a mangrove cruise along the Kilim River, Hoi An in Vietnam, known for its ancient temples, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan, where passengers can visit Fokuangshan Monastery.
Singapore is expected to serve as a seasonal homeport for Princess Cruises during the deployment period. The arrangement is also expected to support the fly-cruise segment, with passengers anticipated from international source markets including Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The release said Singapore’s air links and cruise infrastructure are expected to support the homeporting arrangement. It also noted that the city-state’s tourism offering may encourage passengers to add pre- or post-cruise stays as part of their wider travel plans.
STB highlights Singapore’s cruise hub role
Ms Jean Ng, Assistant Chief Executive, Experience Development Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “This three-year partnership with Princess Cruises is testament to Singapore’s position as Asia’s premier cruise hub. Princess Cruises’ expanded deployment broadens our premium cruise experiences and supports our Tourism 2040 vision to drive quality tourism growth through a strong pipeline of differentiated products.
With Asia Pacific emerging as a key growth region for cruising, Singapore is well-positioned to capture fly-cruise demand and connect the world to the best of Asia. We look forward to Princess Cruises bringing their exciting cruise itineraries to more travellers.”
The partnership forms part of Singapore’s wider efforts to strengthen its position as a cruise hub in Asia Pacific. The release stated that the agreement comes amid rising cruise demand in the region, supported by increasing affluence, an expanding middle class and demand for immersive travel experiences.
Princess Cruises cites demand for longer voyages
Mr Matthew Rutherford, Vice President Asia Pacific, Princess Cruises, said: “Singapore is a cornerstone of our Asia Pacific strategy and an exceptional homeport from which to expand regional footprint. This multi-year deployment underscores our confidence in Singapore’s connectivity and strong cruise ecosystem.
We’re seeing growing demand for longer, more immersive journeys, and this programme allows us to deliver richer itineraries across Southeast Asia and beyond while attracting more international guests to the region.”
The deployment will add to Princess Cruises’ Asia Pacific operations by positioning Singapore as a key base for regional and longer-haul itineraries. With three ships included in the programme, the cruise line will expand its Singapore-linked cruise offering across multiple seasons between 2027 and 2030.
Princess Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation and operates cruises across destinations including Asia, Alaska, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica and world cruises.
Source: Official announcement by Singapore Tourism Board on 28 May, 2026
