The lure of Dubai is irresistible, from its glittering mega-skyscrapers to its traditional Islamic roots. This enigmatic destination is recognized worldwide as a city pointed full throttle toward the future. Dubai is a must-experience city while on an India cruise. Dubai’s most iconic sights include the 160-story Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, a luxury resort which happens to be shaped like a boat’s sail. Dubai is unlike any other place in the world, filled with luxe shopping and high-end boutiques, unique souqs (markets) scattered all over the city, and cultural institutions like the Dubai Museum. While you’re stopped on a Dubai cruise, you’re meant to live it up on unforgettable excursions like a helicopter tour of the city or a camel ride at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Not even differences in climate can stop Dubai from bringing you every experience you crave. There’s even an indoor skiing experience and the massive Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo.

India’s largest city, known as Bombay until very recently, possesses an energy and gusto that few cities can imitate. On your India cruise, a stop in Mumbai quickly shows visitors both thousands of years of history and a modern, bustling hub for film and industry. Don’t miss a stroll or a car ride along the Queen’s Necklace, or Mumbai’s Marine Drive, where you’ll be engulfed by the Arabian Sea and the Mumbai skyline. Thousands of years of history is preserved at sites like the Elephanta Caves and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. During your time in Mumbai, shop along the chaotic Colaba Causeway. Sip a gin cocktail in one of the city’s many speakeasy lounges. Tour the ornate Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where celebrities gather and tragedies strike. Spend the day on a Bollywood set, marveling at India’s biggest stars, or among lush plant life at the Hanging Gardens, a rest from the lights and noise. After all, Mumbai is a city full of contradictions like that.

Whether you refer to it as Kochi or Cochin, this port city offers a picturesque, seaside stop on an India cruise unlike any other. With influences from British, Dutch, and Portuguese settlement over the past 500 or so years, Kochi feels especially global, whether you’re stopping for coffee at the local Kashi Art Cafe or touring Fort Kochi on your own. See the famous Chinese fishing nets, one of the most photographable spots in Kochi, and peruse the catches of the day with the local fishermen. Or, take an excursion beyond Kochi to Alappuzha during your Cochin cruise, indulging in thali and kebabs after a day’s boat ride on the Arabian Sea. Luckily, Kochi itself is pretty walkable, and most sights are close to one another. Less bustling than Mumbai, Cochin retains a small town charm ideal for unhurried exploration.

Colombo is the beating commercial heart of Sri Lanka located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Whether you’re exploring the nearby town of Galle, which features colonial Portuguese architecture and a green space for sports and community fun, or you venture beyond the city to see an elephant orphanage, your Sri Lanka cruise experience is bound to be unlike anywhere else you’ve ever visited on an India cruise. It’s also home to important temples like the beautiful and historic Gangaramaya Temple, which is one of Colombo’s oldest Buddhist temples. With a population of nearly one million people, Colombo isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon. The city continues to improve upon its attractions and offer new sights, smells, and immersive experiences to every type of traveler. Colombo takes travelers out of their comfort zones. Try adventurous street foods like the Sri Lankan hopper, local wood apples, and all sorts of roti during your (too-short) time in Colombo. While we don’t currently sail to Colombo, you can still discover the beauty of the region on one of our cruises to Asia. Browse our luxury cruises to Asia below.

Colombo is the beating commercial heart of Sri Lanka located on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Whether you’re exploring the nearby town of Galle, which features colonial Portuguese architecture and a green space for sports and community fun, or you venture beyond the city to see an elephant orphanage, your Sri Lanka cruise experience is bound to be unlike anywhere else you’ve ever visited on an India cruise. It’s also home to important temples like the beautiful and historic Gangaramaya Temple, which is one of Colombo’s oldest Buddhist temples. With a population of nearly one million people, Colombo isn’t showing any signs of slowing down soon. The city continues to improve upon its attractions and offer new sights, smells, and immersive experiences to every type of traveler. Colombo takes travelers out of their comfort zones. Try adventurous street foods like the Sri Lankan hopper, local wood apples, and all sorts of roti during your (too-short) time in Colombo. While we don’t currently sail to Colombo, you can still discover the beauty of the region on one of our cruises to Asia. Browse our luxury cruises to Asia below.

Thailand’s largest and most visited island, Phuket, offers gorgeous beaches lined with palm trees, plus fabulous coves and bays. Water sports include sailing, diving, and snorkeling. Golf enthusiasts will love the championship courses, while nature lovers will be thrilled by the tropical forests and waterfalls. Tour historic mansions and top off the day enjoying the extensive nightlife.

At first glance, this diamond-shaped island just off the coast of Malaysia gleams with modernism and commercialism, making it seem more Western than Eastern. But as you continue to discover the city-state, you’ll uncover the eclectic mix of cultures, religions, ancient treasures and British colonial impressions that give rise to a unique Singaporean identity. The cultural fusion is perhaps best expressed in Singapore’s unofficial language, Singlish, a unique patois of English, Chinese and Malay.