A cruise through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Perhaps due to improved economic conditions for travelers and the ease of access to service providers, cruise tourism is gradually becoming more popular. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the number of transnational cruise tours in Asia had increased significantly, attracting a considerable number of tourists. As the economy stabilized after global lockdowns, this relatively luxurious form of tourism gained even wider acceptance.

Just about six months ago, while working as an editor for a domestic travel agency, I spent some time researching and producing articles related to Royal Caribbean cruises – a well-known cruise line from the United States. At the time, I never imagined that just six months later I would have the opportunity to fully enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise myself.

I'm a frequent traveler, but my family isn't particularly keen on traveling during Tet (Lunar New Year): I've never traveled far with them during the spring festival before. So, this year's trip was truly special. We departed from Noi Bai Airport to Changi Airport in Singapore at 5 am on January 25th, the third day of the Year of the Rabbit. On the first day, my family and I visited Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay Observatory, Merlion Park, and experienced the MRT subway system. When you travel with family, especially with children, these "classic" destinations are actually a safe choice. We stayed in Singapore for one night before departing for the port the following afternoon to complete the boarding procedures.

The "star" of our spring cruise was Spectrum of the Seas, one of the newest members of Royal Caribbean's Ultra Quantum fleet. The enormous, 16-deck ship was touted as a "magnificent castle in the ocean." But being a castle, not everyone could enter: we went through an "entry" process lasting over an hour, with checks even more thorough than customs procedures.

According to the itinerary, the ship will dock once a day at three different locations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. This is a rather interesting type of vacation, allowing travelers to enjoy cruise services while exploring three of Southeast Asia's leading tourist destinations. However, I think travelers already familiar with these countries could easily stay on board for the entire journey and still find it worthwhile.

Officially launched in 2019 and a pioneering super cruise ship of Royal Caribbean targeting the Asian market, Spectrum of the Seas can accommodate up to a thousand people. On my last trip, this giant carried over 4000 passengers, not including the crew, service staff, and performers. Except for the four cabin decks, decks 2 through 16 are filled with all the popular entertainment and wellness services. My family found bars, a theater, a casino, cafes, duty-free shops, Asian and European restaurants, and more. There were also massage parlors, yoga studios, an outdoor swimming pool, a surfing area, and a rock climbing wall. For the first few days, we were all getting lost because the space was so vast, and the only difficulty was the lack of internet access. None of us bought a private Wi-Fi package on the ship, as it cost up to 600,000 VND per day and the connection speed was only equivalent to a 2G network. Most people explored on their own, using the Royal Caribbean app installed on their phones to get detailed cruise updates and upcoming events.

One of the services that impressed me most was the art performances. With many intriguing themes such as "The Silk Road," "Showgirl: Past - Present - Future," and "Bolbian Symphony," they opened up an incredible world of sound and light, so much so that I honestly thought I was sitting in the La Scala theater in Italy, not on a ship sailing on the ocean. These shows were usually held after dinner, when passengers had returned to the ship and had time to rest after a day of exploring on land.

Another thing I noticed was that most Vietnamese and Chinese tourists traveled in groups with tour guides. In contrast, tourists from Europe, America, and India often appeared alone or with young children. This difference in travel culture was clearly evident during meals, where large tables in the middle of the restaurant were usually reserved for larger groups, while window seats overlooking the sea were preferred by solo travelers.

With prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 for a week-long cruise, I can understand why this type of trip is so popular. I agree that it was a worthwhile experience, as my family had no complaints about the quality of service on board until we returned (except perhaps for the food, which might not suit the tastes of many Vietnamese people).

In particular, at the end of this article, I would like to sincerely thank all the ship's staff who served and supported my family throughout the trip. Not once did I have any complaints about their service – these incredibly friendly people befriended me and made my trip especially enjoyable, people everyone deserves to meet and talk to at least once in their lifetime, especially during a hopeful start to the new year.

If I hadn't experienced it myself, I probably would still think that cruising is a pretentious and luxurious way to travel. After a week sailing along the Strait of Malacca from Singapore to Malaysia and then Thailand, I realized why this "hobby" is so appealing. It truly is a miniature city on the sea. Not only because of the modern architecture or luxurious entertainment venues, but because each "inhabitant" living here – those who work on the sea every day and only get to come ashore once a year – has a story waiting to be discovered.

An