Luzon, Philippines Cruise from Manila to Singapore — 13 Days

Manila, Philippines

Manila asks you to look beyond its traffic and modern skyline. Inside Intramuros, Spanish-era walls enclose stone churches, leafy courtyards and Fort Santiago, where Philippine history feels close at hand. Nearby, the National Museum complex displays Filipino art and heritage. Make time for a meal of adobo or fresh seafood, then watch sunset over Manila Bay. This is a port best explored with a clear plan—and room for discovery.

Corregidor Island Philippines (Scenic Stop)

Busuanga Island Philippines, Philippines

Busuanga, the largest island in the Calamian archipelago, pairs fishing villages with a dramatic limestone coast. Most visitors arrive through Coron town, then cross by boat to Coron Island’s lagoons and sheltered beaches. Nearby waters hold Japanese shipwrecks, drawing divers to bays rich in marine life. On land, hot springs and the Calauit wildlife sanctuary offer a change of pace from island-hopping.

Culion Island Philippines (Scenic Stop)

Palawan Islands Philippines (Scenic Stop)

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s unhurried capital, where a working waterfront and forested hills meet the Sulu Sea. Use the city as a launch point for Honda Bay’s islands. The UNESCO-listed Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park lies near Sabang, reached by road from town. Back in the centre, discover local museums, cafés and seafood restaurants, then stroll the Baywalk beside the water.

Balabac Islands Philippines (Scenic Stop)

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah’s capital on Malaysian Borneo, faces the South China Sea. Begin at the waterfront, then explore the central market or Sabah State Museum. Boats reach Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, where five islands offer swimming and snorkelling just offshore. On Sundays, Gaya Street hosts a popular market, while Mount Kinabalu rises inland, about 90 kilometres away.

Siberut Island Indonesia (Scenic Stop)

Bintulu, Malaysia

On Sarawak’s coast, Bintulu is a working port town with a view of the South China Sea. Malaysia’s energy industry gives it a modern edge, while the waterfront and markets reveal everyday life in coastal Sarawak. Beyond town, Similajau National Park protects rainforest, beaches and wildlife—a striking contrast to Bintulu’s industrial skyline. Come for a less familiar side of Malaysia: practical, distinctive and close to nature.

Kuching, Malaysia

Kuching, Sarawak’s compact riverside capital, rewards those who step ashore with a rare blend of Malay, Chinese and Dayak heritage. Follow the Sarawak River waterfront past old shophouses and Chinese temples. The Astana, once home to Sarawak’s White Rajahs, stands across the water. Beyond the city, Bako National Park offers rainforest trails, wildlife and coastal scenery. At Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, visitors may see orangutans in a forest setting. Kuching’s manageable scale makes its layered history easy to explore on foot.

At Sea (At Sea)

Singapore, Singapore

Singapore rewards the curious with a rare mix of order, energy and invention. Within a short ride of the waterfront, explore Chinatown’s shophouses, Little India’s temples and Kampong Glam’s Malay heritage. Follow pepper crab and satay aromas into a hawker centre, where local cooks make a persuasive case for lunch. For a quieter hour, Gardens by the Bay pairs dramatic Supertrees with cool conservatories and views across Marina Bay.