Asia Cruise Deals

Pros

Far more cultural immersion opportunities than on the usual cruise ship

Cons

English speakers are often in the minority, particularly on shorter cruises

Bottom Line

A great, easy way to discover Japan and its culture

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pros

Far more cultural immersion opportunities than on the usual cruise ship

Cons

English speakers are often in the minority, particularly on shorter cruises

Bottom Line

A great, easy way to discover Japan and its culture

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pros

Many perks included in cruise fare, including one-of-a-kind thermal suite and fine dining

Cons

People looking for traditional cruise activities -- casino, glitzy production shows -- will be disappointed

Bottom Line

A solid value on a cruise ship that focuses on exploration onboard and ashore

Marketed to North Americans as well as Europeans

MSC's first-ever new-build

Offers a nice variety of Caribbean sailings

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Elegant with plenty of opportunities for formal dressing

Varied enrichment program

Sense of occasion on every cruise

Marketed to North Americans as well as Europeans

MSC's first-ever new-build

Offers a nice variety of Caribbean sailings

Pro: Destination-focused itineraries; friendly and fun onboard vibe

Con: Standard cabins are small with tiny bathrooms, despite a high price tag

Bottom Line: Destination-immersive, upscale cruising, with not a lot of nickel and diming

Marketed to North Americans as well as Europeans

MSC's first-ever new-build

Offers a nice variety of Caribbean sailings

Marketed to North Americans as well as Europeans

MSC's first-ever new-build

Offers a nice variety of Caribbean sailings

Pros

A cosmopolitan, fun-loving cruise ship for all ages

Cons

Lack of speciality dining

Bottom line

Great onboard facilities and a good choice for budget-conscious cruisers

Pros

Inside cabins have "virtual balconies," offering ocean views in rooms that normally have none

Cons

No consistency in dining room and buffet, food choices ranged from poor to great

Bottom Line

A good choice for anyone seeking a fun and active cruise experience