Here's the Full Programme

Scenic tour of Kuala Lumpur on a Hop on, Hop off bus.

Enjoy lunch at the Waldorf Astoria and take the opportunity to connect with suppliers

Opening Ceremony.

Details coming soon!

Cruising across Asia is entering a new phase, with opportunities emerging across source markets, deployment, destinations and the guest experience. Yet growth remains uneven, and realising the region’s potential will depend on where cruise lines choose to invest, how products and itineraries evolve, and whether the wider ecosystem can support greater scale. Bringing together the programme’s most senior cruise line leaders, this opening conversation will set the scene for the conference, sharing strategic priorities, company outlooks and perspectives on where the industry goes next.  

What will define Asia’s next era of cruise growth, and where do industry leaders see the greatest opportunities ahead? 

Asia’s source markets are developing at very different speeds. Japan is seeing strong momentum, China continues to rebuild, Southeast Asia is attracting younger and first-time cruisers, while India represents significant longer-term potential. This session will compare where demand is emerging, what is driving it and what different markets need to convert interest into sustained cruise participation.  

Where will Asia’s next wave of cruise guests come from, and what will it take to win them? 

Asia is playing a growing role not only as a cruise market and destination, but as part of the industry's industrial base. Shipyards across the region are building new vessels, servicing ships operating in Asia and developing capabilities in repair, retrofit and fleet upgrades as operators respond to changing guest expectations and net-zero requirements. This session will examine where Asian yards can compete, how their capabilities are evolving and what operators will need from them next.  

How large a role can Asia play in building and supporting the next generation of the global cruise fleet? 

Experience an evening of meaningful connections and cultural entertainment alongside colleagues from cruise lines, ports and destinations, ship equipment, and ship services.

A chance for exhibitors and cruise lines to network over a coffee ahead of show open.

Inconsistent visa requirements, arrival declarations and interpretations of transit calls continue to create significant operational friction across Asia, adding administrative burden for ships and delays for guests. As more destinations introduce digital processes, technology alone will not solve the problem without better coordination between border agencies, cruise lines, ports and ground handlers. This session will examine opportunities for greater consistency, advanced passenger information, biometrics and more passenger-friendly border processes.  

How can Asia make border formalities simpler without compromising security or national requirements? 

Luxury and small-ship deployment is expanding across Asia, creating new opportunities for ports and destinations across the region. But these operators demand more than suitable berths: seamless access, exceptional service, knowledgeable local partners, distinctive experiences and the ability to deliver consistently at a much higher level. This session will examine where Asia is ready to welcome luxury cruise operators and their clientele, and where gaps remain.  

What must ports, destinations and service providers do differently to win and retain high-value luxury and small-ship calls? 

Asia’s opportunity extends beyond its regional source markets. International deployment and fly-cruise demand can bring new capacity and higher-value visitors, but Asia competes with established cruise regions for ships and guests, while air connectivity, geopolitical developments, operating costs, infrastructure and destination appeal all shape those decisions. This session will explore what makes Asia compelling to international cruise lines and long-haul travellers, and where the region must become more competitive. What will persuade more cruise lines — and more international guests — to choose Asia? 

A successful itinerary must balance what guests want with what ships can realistically deliver. Sailing distances, port appeal, berth availability, operating costs, source-market preferences and destination reliability all influence route design, while geopolitical developments and unexpected disruption can force plans to change quickly. This session goes behind the scenes of cruise-line itinerary planning to explore how destinations are selected, replaced and combined into compelling routes.  

What determines whether a destination makes the itinerary — and keeps its place when circumstances change? 

Further opportunity to network with peers and suppliers over lunch. 

Asia’s cruise guests have increasingly diverse expectations, from onboard entertainment and dining to the experiences they want ashore. This session will explore how cruise lines, destinations and local partners can create more distinctive, market-relevant experiences through stronger storytelling, shore excursions and better alignment between what is promised and what is delivered. How can Asia create cruise experiences that resonate with both regional and international guests? 

Growing cruise volumes do not automatically translate into greater value for destinations. The real opportunity lies in increasing local visitor spend, procurement, jobs, extended stays and participation from local tourism businesses and communities. Using economic-impact evidence to establish where value is currently being created, this session will explore how destinations can retain more of the benefits generated by cruise and connect it more effectively with the wider visitor economy.  

How can Asia move from counting cruise passengers to creating greater value from every visit? 

Malaysia has the potential to play a larger role in Asia’s cruise landscape as a source market, destination and part of the region’s wider cruise infrastructure. Yet turning those advantages into sustained cruise-line commitment requires clarity around market demand, connectivity, infrastructure, destination development and government support. Bringing together Malaysian stakeholders, this session will examine where the strongest opportunities really lie and what needs to happen next.  

What role should Malaysia aim to play in Asia’s new cruise era, and how can it turn potential into long-term commitment? 

A dynamic evening of networking, celebration and authentic cultural entertainment.