Far East Cruises

For East Asian countries like Japan and South Korea, the most ideal time would be in spring (April and May) for the best weather and scenery. It’s also the season for the world-famous Japan cherry blossoms. Meanwhile, if your cruise is focused on Southeast Asian ports, the dry season is between December and April, perfect for beaches and outdoor activities.

The Far East is a popular destination for world cruises, which often includes sailings to the ports of Japan, South Korea, Thailand and China. Cruise ships also sometimes visit some port destinations in Southeast Asia, such as Manila in the Philippines, the East Coast of Malaysia and Singapore.

A Far East cruise is one of the best ways to experience Asia’s exotic cultures, delicious cuisine and notable sights, hence making it a famous destination for cruises. Some of the cruise lines that take advantage of this and offer itineraries across the Far East include Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Monetary tipping is not mandatory or expected in most Far East nations. In fact, it can be turned down or sometimes even considered inappropriate in some places like Japan and China. Meanwhile, for most Southeast Asian countries, tipping is generally viewed as a positive gesture. Since the tipping culture varies per country, be sure to do your research before visiting.

Most locals in the Far East countries can speak and understand English. Some are even proficient and use it as a conversational language like Singapore, Philippines and Malaysia. All in all, it’s still handy and helpful to learn some basic phrases and sentences to be able to interact and communicate with the locals in the ports you’re visiting.