Allie Hubers Planning an Asia cruise and not sure what to pack? I recently sailed on a Singapore to Tokyo cruise with my family, and putting together the right outfits took some trial and error. This Asia cruise packing guide is filled with practical tips and cruise outfits for women to help you feel prepared and comfortable every day of your trip.
This 12-night repositioning itinerary was aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, and it’s only offered a couple of times each year. We visited ports of call across Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan.
We sailed this itinerary in April 2025, but Royal Caribbean also offers the same route in reverse from Tokyo to Singapore during the fall. These unique sailings are part of the cruise line’s seasonal repositioning schedule.
To be totally honest, packing for this cruise was more challenging than I expected. The weather varied significantly from port to port, and I wasn’t sure which outfits I’d actually want to wear during long excursions in the heat (or the unexpected rain).
If you’re in the same boat, here’s everything I recommend adding to your Asia cruise packing list, plus outfit ideas based on what I actually wore each day.
Asia cruise packing list and essentials
Here are the must-have items that came in handy throughout our Asia cruise with Royal Caribbean:
- International power adapters (UK-style for Singapore, US, and EU outlets for the ship)
- Portable phone charger for long days ashore
- Printed copies of your passport
- Copies of necessary visas (required for boarding in Singapore)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Lightweight sunscreen (I like tinted daily moisturizer with SPF)
- Electrolyte packets like Propel or Liquid I.V.
- Crossbody bag or small backpack for excursions
- Reusable water bottle (a smaller one is easier to carry)
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Toiletries and shower essentials for onboard use
- Small bills and some local currency
- Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
Asia cruise outfits for women
As I mentioned, we cruised in mid-April for this itinerary. For most of our cruise, the weather was hot and humid until we cruised further north.
As we made our way to South Korea and Japan, the weather was cooler and a little rainy. You’ll want to pack versatile outfits that work for a range of temperatures, and keep comfort and breathability in mind for long days of walking and touring.
Here’s exactly what I wore for each port day during our Asia cruise.
Singapore
Outfit: Khaki-colored shorts, a short-sleeve cotton top, and white walking shoes.
Singapore is generally very hot and humid, even at night. We kept it casual for the Singapore Flyer and dinner near the hotel. Wearing comfortable walking shoes was important for exploring the city on foot!
Vietnam (Phu My / Ho Chi Minh City)
Outfit: A floral smocked maxi dress with puff sleeves and sandals.
Vietnam was sweltering hot with high temperatures and humidity. I needed something lightweight but cute, so I opted for this maxi dress for the day with casual sandals. Next time, I would wear something more lightweight because the humidity was thick.
My sister wore a white t-shirt layered under black overall-style shorts. Both of us were comfortable walking all day in these outfits.
Taiwan (Keelung / Taipei)
Outfit: Blue floral short-sleeve dress and white sneakers.
Taiwan was still humid, although the weather was slightly cooler compared to Vietnam. This dress was perfect for exploring the city and was very comfortable in the warmer temperatures.
My sister wore a black athletic dress with a bubble skirt and black sneakers. Athletic dresses are great to pack for an Asia cruise because they are cute, practical, and comfortable. She said this was perfect for the heat and still looked polished in photos.
Hong Kong
Outfit: Black athletic skort, a neutral bodysuit, and a sheer long-sleeve shirt with white sneakers.
Similar to Taiwan and Vietnam, Hong Kong was extremely muggy. I opted for a black athletic skirt, which was a great choice for our city tour. This outfit kept me cool and was still comfortable for walking around the markets and taking a sampan ride.
South Korea (Jeju Island)
Outfit: Rain jacket, leggings, and layered long-sleeve top.
This was our rainiest and coldest day by far. I was so thankful to have packed leggings and a lightweight waterproof jacket. Everything dried quickly, and I stayed warm despite the weather.
Japan (Tokyo / Yokohama)
Day 1 Outfit: Long-sleeve midi dress for exploring Shibuya in the evening.
Because we visited Japan in April, the weather was definitely cooler than the earlier ports. This was a welcome change! If you’re visiting Japan in April, make sure to pack some lightweight jackets and pants.
Day 2 Outfit: Linen pants, a casual tee, and a denim jacket.
We ended up stranded in Tokyo for the night with a cancelled flight, so I was grateful I packed these linen pants in my carry-on. We visited Tokyo Tower, and I was glad to have something comfy but cute for those unexpected extra hours in the city.
Onboard cruise outfits for women
Royal Caribbean is a casual cruise line, so there’s no need to overpack formal wear, unless you want to dress up for fun. Most people kept things comfortable during the day and a little elevated at dinner.
During sea days, I lived in athletic shorts with tank tops and breezy, oversized button-downs. Make sure to bring your swimsuit and a comfortable cover-up to wear onboard. I also packed a lightweight jacket for cooler areas of the ship or windy nights outside.
For evenings, I brought a few versatile dresses that worked for dinner and could be worn again during the day. I packed one nicer dress for a themed or “formal” night, but most of the ship kept it relaxed.
What should you pack for your Asia cruise?
Packing for an Asia cruise is all about flexibility. Think layers, lightweight fabrics, and shoes that won’t leave you with blisters after a long day exploring temples or markets.
Be ready for hot, sticky days in Southeast Asia, meaning you’ll probably be sweaty while you explore these far-flung ports of call!
If you’re taking a Singapore to Tokyo cruise (or the reverse), hopefully, this guide gives you a better idea of what to expect for packing. I always prefer to bring a few extra outfits for these longer cruises, as it’s hard to know with varying climates.
In the end, make sure to bring what you feel most comfortable and confident in.
