Christmas in New Zealand or Chinese New Year in Japan? Royal Caribbean Has Options!

Voyager of the Seas will sail from Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong, with tropical escapes, a new Christmas cruise to New Zealand and Chinese New Year adventures in Japan.

Fancy swapping the winter weather for South Pacific sunshine, exploring the flavours of Southeast Asia or celebrating Christmas surrounded by New Zealand's spectacular scenery? Royal Caribbean has some exciting news for anyone dreaming of a cruise a little further afield!

Voyager of the Seas is heading for a busy season across Asia Pacific, with sailings ranging from two to 15 nights between October 2027 and April 2028.

The ship will sail from Brisbane, Sydney, Singapore and Hong Kong, opening up a huge choice of destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, China, Japan and South Korea.

And there's something for different types of holidaymakers, whether you're after a quick escape, a longer adventure or a festive cruise with a difference.

With Christmas and Chinese New Year sailings included, it looks like Voyager of the Seas will have plenty of holiday magic up her sleeve. Just don't ask us to choose between a tropical island and a Christmas cruise through New Zealand. We might be here a while!

Four homeports, one very busy ship!

Royal Caribbean is bringing together a series of sailings that will see Voyager of the Seas move between four homeports during the season.

The ship will begin in Australia, sailing from Brisbane and Sydney, before heading north to Singapore and later Hong Kong.

It's part of Royal Caribbean's biggest Asia Pacific season yet, with several ships offering different ways to explore the region.

Alongside Voyager of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas will sail year-round from Singapore from October 2026, while the newly amplified Ovation of the Seas will sail from Brisbane and Anthem of the Seas will sail from Sydney.

Meanwhile, Spectrum of the Seas will offer sailings from Shanghai and Hong Kong to destinations across Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

That's quite a collection of ships and destinations. If Asia Pacific has been sitting on your cruise wish list, this expanded programme gives you plenty to investigate before deciding where to go first.

South Pacific sunshine from Brisbane

From October to December 2027, Voyager of the Seas will offer two- to seven-night holidays from Brisbane.

These sailings include South Pacific adventures to Mystery Island, Port Vila and Luganville in Vanuatu, as well as Noumea in New Caledonia.

It's an opportunity to swap the usual routine for island scenery and time exploring destinations across the South Pacific.

And with shorter cruises available, you don't necessarily need to commit to a lengthy holiday to enjoy a change of scenery.

Of course, once you've started browsing tropical islands, choosing just one cruise could prove rather tricky. We can see those holiday tabs multiplying already!

After her Brisbane sailings, Voyager will make a two-night coastal repositioning sailing down to Sydney.

Christmas gets a New Zealand makeover

Now here's one for anyone who fancies doing something different for Christmas.

Voyager of the Seas will introduce a brand-new 10-night Christmas sailing from Sydney to New Zealand, visiting some spectacular destinations along the way.

The itinerary includes Picton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, as well as Milford Sound, renowned for its breathtaking scenery.

Rather than the usual festive routine, this cruise offers the chance to explore New Zealand's landscapes and cities during the Christmas period.

Imagine spending the festive season discovering beautiful scenery and returning to your ship between destinations, with no need to keep packing and unpacking.

We'd say that's a rather appealing alternative to wrestling with Christmas wrapping paper and wondering where you've hidden the sellotape!

For anyone who enjoys combining a festive holiday with sightseeing, this new sailing could be one to keep an eye on.

From Singapore to Hong Kong, with Vietnam in between

Voyager of the Seas will also offer a five-night sailing from Singapore to Hong Kong, calling at Ho Chi Minh City (Phuoc An) in Vietnam.

The itinerary brings together two of Asia's dynamic cities with an opportunity to discover Vietnam's vibrant dining culture.

It's a shorter option for holidaymakers who want to experience more than one destination without committing to a longer cruise.

And if discovering local food is high on your holiday agenda, Vietnam offers another reason to get excited about this sailing.

Just be warned: browsing the local food scene can make choosing dinner back onboard a rather difficult decision!

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Japanese getaway

Royal Caribbean is also planning four- and five-night sailings from Hong Kong for Chinese New Year.

These cruises will visit Ishigaki and Okinawa in Japan, offering holidaymakers the chance to explore turquoise waters, local flavours and the distinctive Ryukyu culture.

Selected sailings will include an overnight stay in Okinawa, giving guests more time to discover the island.

That extra time could be particularly appealing if you'd rather explore at a relaxed pace instead of trying to squeeze everything into a few hours ashore.

Whether you're drawn to the scenery, the local culture or the food, these itineraries offer a different way to celebrate the festive period.

And with Japan on the itinerary, don't be surprised if your camera roll starts filling up rather quickly!

More discoveries from Hong Kong

There are further options for guests wanting to explore China and Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong sailings calling at Taipei (Keelung) in Taiwan and Hue/Danang (Chan May) in Vietnam.

Taipei offers opportunities to discover its lively city atmosphere, famous night markets and food scene.

Meanwhile, Hue/Danang provides access to Vietnam's imperial heritage, coastal landscapes and central Vietnamese cuisine.

These itineraries give holidaymakers more ways to combine different destinations in one trip, with the ship providing a comfortable base between adventures.

And that's part of the appeal of cruising: you can spend your days exploring somewhere new, then return onboard to relax before the next stop.

Life onboard: surfing, waterslides and a little friendly competition

Of course, a cruise isn't just about where the ship takes you. What happens onboard matters too, and Voyager of the Seas has plenty to keep guests occupied between destinations.

If your idea of relaxing involves a little adrenaline, there's the FlowRider surf simulator, where you can test your skills on the waves without heading out into the ocean.

You can also race down The Perfect Storm waterslides, tackle the rock-climbing wall or head to Studio B for ice-skating.

Yes, ice-skating! Because apparently sailing across warm tropical waters doesn't mean you have to give up the chance to glide around on ice.

For friends and families who prefer a little competition, Voyager Dunes offers a nine-hole mini-golf course, while Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z brings a glow-in-the-dark challenge into the mix.

And if you've ever discovered that your supposedly relaxed family holiday has turned into a fiercely competitive game of mini-golf, you'll know that friendly competition can be a holiday attraction all by itself!

Younger guests can enjoy dedicated spaces and activities at Adventure Ocean, while teenagers have the Living Room, designed specifically for them.

With activities for different ages and interests, families can enjoy time together while still having opportunities to do their own thing.

From Italian favourites to sushi and steaks

After all that activity, there's the small matter of deciding what to eat.

Voyager of the Seas offers a selection of dining options, including Giovanni's Table for Italian family-style dishes, Chops Grille for hand-cut steaks and Izumi for sushi and Japanese-inspired flavours.

For something more casual, guests can head to Windjammer or Café Promenade.

Whether you're in the mood for a relaxed meal, a family favourite or something different, there's a range of options to explore throughout your cruise.

Of course, with so many destinations on the itinerary, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover local food ashore, too.

The difficult part might be deciding whether you're hungry enough for dinner after a day of sightseeing. Then again, somehow a holiday appetite always seems to find room!

Royal Caribbean's biggest Asia Pacific season yet

Voyager of the Seas is part of a wider expansion that gives holidaymakers more ways to explore Asia Pacific, with different ships and homeports offering a broad choice of itineraries.

From short South Pacific escapes departing Brisbane to Christmas in New Zealand, five-night journeys between Singapore and Hong Kong, and Chinese New Year sailings to Japan, there's a varied collection of adventures planned for the 2027–2028 season.

With sailings ranging from two to 15 nights, holidaymakers can choose an itinerary to suit the time they have available and the destinations they want to discover.

And with waterslides, ice-skating, mini-golf, dining and family activities onboard, there's plenty to enjoy when the ship isn't in port.

So, whether you're dreaming of tropical islands, a festive adventure or a longer journey through Asia, Royal Caribbean's expanded programme offers plenty of inspiration.

Now comes the tricky bit: choosing which cruise to book. Anyone else suddenly wishing they had a few extra weeks of annual leave?

Until next time, keep dreaming of your next cruise.