Discovery Princess has made its maiden call to Singapore, underscoring Princess Cruises’ expanding footprint in Southeast Asia and its strategic repositioning across Asia and Australia. The Royal-Class vessel arrived at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on 28 October 2025, marking its inaugural visit to the city-state before embarking on a short regional itinerary.
The ship’s visit forms part of a five-day cruise to Malaysia, with scheduled calls at Port Klang (gateway to Kuala Lumpur), Penang, and Langkawi, before returning to Singapore on 2 November. The deployment reflects the growing importance of Singapore as a key cruise hub in the region, supported by rising demand for short-haul cruising and multi-destination itineraries across Southeast Asia.
Strengthening regional cruise deployment
Launched in 2022, Discovery Princess is among the newest Royal-Class ships in the Princess Cruises fleet, designed to accommodate up to 3,660 guests across more than 1,800 staterooms. The vessel features over 1,400 balcony cabins and premium Sky Suites offering expansive 270-degree views, aligning with increasing passenger expectations for space, comfort, and scenic connectivity at sea.
The Singapore call represents a transitional deployment for the ship, which will reposition to Australia later this year. From 6 December 2025 through 7 April 2026, Discovery Princess will be homeported in Sydney for the first time, operating more than 20 itineraries across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. The season also coincides with the 50th anniversary of Princess Cruises’ operations in Australia, marking a milestone in the brand’s regional history.
Onboard experience and entertainment offerings
Designed to cater to premium cruise travellers, Discovery Princess features more than 20 dining and bar venues, expansive entertainment spaces, and signature onboard experiences. Among its highlights is “360: An Extraordinary Experience”, a seven-course, multi-sensory dining concept currently exclusive to Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess.
Guests also have access to key leisure and entertainment facilities such as the Princess Theater and The Sanctuary, reflecting the cruise line’s emphasis on immersive onboard programming as a core driver of itinerary selection in the premium cruise segment.
Expanding Singapore and Southeast Asia presence
Princess Cruises’ broader regional strategy includes an increased presence in Southeast Asia. Alongside Discovery Princess, Diamond Princess is scheduled to return for homeport operations in Singapore from 6 December 2025 through February 2026. Its itineraries will cover a wide range of regional destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Halong Bay, Da Nang, Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Ko Samui, and Bangkok. Select sailings will also extend to Cambodia, offering access to Angkor Wat.
In addition, Crown Princess is expected to make its maiden call to Singapore in late November 2025, further strengthening the cruise line’s operational footprint in the region and expanding capacity during a period of rising demand for Asia-based cruise holidays.
Industry collaboration and trade engagement
During the Singapore call, a formal plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard Discovery Princess between Captain Tony Ruggero and representatives from Marina Bay Cruise Centre, the Singapore Tourism Board, and Wallem Shipping. The event marked the vessel’s inaugural visit and reinforced collaborative ties between cruise operators and destination stakeholders.
More than 50 Singapore-based travel advisors participated in onboard familiarisation tours, with similar engagement programmes planned in Port Klang and Penang. These initiatives aim to strengthen trade partnerships, enhance product awareness, and support sales activation across key source markets.
Growing role of Singapore as a cruise hub
The maiden call of Discovery Princess highlights Singapore’s continued emergence as a central cruise gateway for Southeast Asia. With increasing ship deployments, diversified itineraries, and rising interest from international cruise operators, the region is witnessing a steady expansion of both capacity and connectivity.
As cruise lines continue to optimise seasonal deployments and regional homeport strategies, Singapore’s role as a turnaround hub is expected to grow further, reinforcing its position within the global cruise tourism network.
