Royal Caribbean is responding to growing demand for multi-destination holidays, unveiling a new “open-jaw” cruise format for Spectrum of the Seas’ 2027–28 Asia season.
Aussies shifting towards multi-stop holidays
The cruise line said the new itineraries align with changing Australian travel habits, with 75 per cent of travellers now seeking multi-destination holidays to maximise long-haul travel value.
Unlike traditional roundtrip cruises, the new one-way sailings allow guests to begin and end their holiday in different cities, creating greater flexibility for extended land and cruise combinations.
Open-jaw sailings connect Asia’s hotspots
The new format will allow travellers to sail between major Asian hubs including Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo without needing to retrace their journey or rely on additional internal flights.
Royal Caribbean said the itineraries are designed to transform transit between destinations into a core part of the holiday experience.
The move comes amid strong Australian demand for Japan, which has recently overtaken Bali as a leading holiday destination for Australian travellers.
New Japan and Korea itineraries unveiled
Among the newly announced sailings are:
- Eight-night Best of Japan and Korea cruise departing Shanghai on 9 May 2027 and concluding in Tokyo, from A$2,021 per person for a balcony stateroom
- 10-night Best of Japan and Korea cruise departing Shanghai on 11 October 2027 and finishing in Tokyo, from A$2,683 per person for a balcony stateroom
Both itineraries include visits across Japan and South Korea, combining major cities with scenic regional experiences.
Flexible cruising gains momentum
The introduction of one-way itineraries reflects a broader shift in cruise strategy, with brands increasingly tailoring products to travellers seeking deeper, more flexible destination experiences.
For Australian travellers, the open-jaw format also provides stronger opportunities to combine cruising with independent touring across Asia.
