Asia has always felt a little “exotic” to me. I’m not exactly sure why, maybe it was the language, the different & deep history, the unfamiliar flavors of the food, or the richness of the culture. While it always sounded exciting, and I love to explore, it also felt just a bit intimidating and even overwhelming at times. Because of that, it never quite made it to the top of my ever-growing bucket list.
So when the opportunity came to travel with Larry Gelwix, “The Getaway Guru” and experience these incredible countries for the very first time on an Asia cruise itinerary I knew it was one I couldn’t pass up. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that push us just a little outside our comfort zone… and this felt like exactly that kind of journey.
Our Asia cruise began in Singapore, one of the most exciting and modern cities in Southeast Asia. This destination has been made famous through movies and pop culture and offers a perfect blend of innovation, culture, and cuisine. As it is a very small country, in just 48 hours, we experienced some of the top things to do in Singapore:
For anyone planning a Singapore pre-cruise stay, this city is an incredible introduction to Asia travel and it shouldn’t be passed up.
We boarded the beautifully refurbished Ovation of the Seas from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line for our 15-day Asia cruise tour, and from the moment we stepped onboard, we knew we were in for something special.
Even though the ship was fully booked, it never felt overcrowded—except maybe at the gym at 6:00 a.m. or during the ever-popular pickleball sessions! 
Cruising Asia is one of the best ways to explore multiple countries with ease. Onboard, we enjoyed:
That’s the beauty of a cruise vacation in Asia—you unpack once, travel seamlessly, and enjoy both adventure and comfort.
Our Asia cruise itinerary included some of the most sought-after destinations in the region: Da Nang (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Taipei, Nagasaki, Kobe, and Kyoto—before ending in Tokyo.
This itinerary offered a perfect introduction to:
But what surprised me most wasn’t just the destinations but it was how I felt along the way. Port by port, something shifted.
I became more comfortable… more excited… more completely enamored. What once felt intimidating quickly turned into something fascinating, beautiful, and even a little addictive. I found myself wanting to explore deeper and understand more.
For first-time travelers, this is exactly why group travel in Asia and cruise tours especially are such a perfect combination.
We ended our journey with two days in Tokyo, one of the most dynamic cities in the world and a highlight of any Japan travel itinerary. And honestly… it wasn’t enough.
Instead of feeling finished, I left feeling inspired. Wanting more time… more understanding… more connection. Tokyo is a destination that blends tradition and innovation, and it left me ready to return as soon as possible to continue exploring Japan and Asia.
So what made the difference? Was it the comfort of group travel? Was it the ease of experiencing multiple countries through an Asia cruise? Honestly… it was both.
Together, they created the perfect environment to experience Asia for the first time—without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’ve ever searched:
You are not alone, even as a 35+ year travel professional I had the same thoughts. We all do but here’s what I learned:
I highly recommend starting with:
And most importantly… just go.
Our next Asia cruise is planned with another amazing world traveler, Michael Phillips so if you’ve been dreaming about:
We would love for you to join us next spring so let us help you take that next step. Let us make it easy. Let us make it comfortable. And let’s turn that curiosity into an unforgettable journey.
Because I promise… you just might fall in love with Asia too
Wendy has loved travel from a very early age. She recalls as young as 8 asking for travel opportunities “to go somewhere new” and that love continued straight into travel school from high school graduation. In her 30+ years in the business, she’s had the opportunity to work and travel in many aspects of this industry. She’s worked in hotel operations, as a traditional travel agent, a corporate agent, travel course teacher, technology support, and while she’s loved them all feels like she’s found her passion and niche in groups and escorted tours where she has spent the last 15 years.
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