Desire Hong Kong to Singapore Cruise 2028: The Bucket List Sailing

The bucket list sailing

Every cruise programme has one sailing that sits above the rest. For Desire, it is this one. Hong Kong to Singapore, February 2028, aboard a Marina or Riviera class Oceania vessel. Fourteen nights through Southeast Asia. This is the longest, most ambitious, and most exciting itinerary Desire has ever announced. If you are the kind of couple who ticks off once-in-a-lifetime experiences, this is the one to circle.

The itinerary

Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My port), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), and Singapore. Four of the most electrifying cities in Asia connected by warm seas and unhurried sailing days. Hong Kong is vertical, neon-lit, and endlessly fascinating. Ho Chi Minh City hits you with its energy, its street food, and its complex history. Bangkok is temples, river boats, rooftop bars, and the best Thai food on the planet. Singapore is immaculate, multicultural, and home to some of the finest dining in the world.

Why 14 nights matters

This is not a sailing you rush. Fourteen nights gives you proper time in each port plus generous sea days in between. Those sea days matter. They are when the Desire experience truly comes alive: clothing-optional pool sessions, lazy afternoon cocktails, themed nights with no alarm clock the next morning. On shorter cruises, the sea days feel like pauses between ports. On a 14-night voyage, they become the main event.

The ship

Desire is using either the Marina or Riviera for this sailing, both of which are among the finest ships in the Oceania fleet. Slightly larger than the Allura and Nautica, these vessels carry more guests while maintaining the refined, food-focused experience Oceania is known for. Multiple speciality restaurants, a canyon-ranch spa, and public spaces designed for adults who appreciate quality over quantity.

The February timing

February in Southeast Asia is dry season across most of the route. Temperatures sit in the high twenties to low thirties. Humidity is manageable. It is the ideal window for this region, and it coincides neatly with the dreariest stretch of the European and North American winter. Trading grey February for two weeks of tropical warmth and cultural immersion is an easy decision.

Pre and post extensions

Both Hong Kong and Singapore are world-class destinations that deserve time beyond the cruise. Arrive in Hong Kong three days early and explore Kowloon, ride the Peak Tram, eat dim sum in a proper tea house, and take the ferry to Lantau Island. After disembarking in Singapore, stay for Marina Bay Sands, hawker centres, Gardens by the Bay, and cocktails at one of the rooftop bars along Club Street. The cruise becomes the centrepiece of a three-week Asian odyssey.

Who it suits

This is the sailing for serious travellers. Couples who have done the resorts, done the Caribbean cruises, possibly done the Med, and are ready for something genuinely extraordinary. The 14-night duration requires a proper commitment of time and budget, which naturally attracts guests who are deeply invested in both the lifestyle and the travel experience. The result is likely to be the most interesting guest list of any Desire sailing.

The honest truth

This cruise will sell out faster than any other Desire sailing. A 14-night lifestyle cruise through Asia on a premium Oceania ship is unprecedented. The demand will be enormous and the cabin count is finite. If it appeals to you even slightly, book now and sort the details later. This is not one you want to watch from the sidelines.