The Best Family-Friendly Micro Cruises In Asia In 2025

Laos With Mekong Kingdom

For an easy, breezy way to explore the scenery, waters and sleepy banks of Laos, set sail aboard Gypsy. This exclusive 41-meter river vessel offers just two cabins so it’s ideal for families with older children who don’t want to share with Mum and Dad. The cabins are plush, you get all your mod-cons, and an onboard chef serves up delicious local dishes. Lure your kids away from their iPads with sunrise yoga, cooking demonstrations, fishing, and jewelry-making in between stopping at fishing villages and exploring lush forests, gilded temples, and mist-shrouded mountains. Got your sea legs going?

Egypt With The Sanctuary Sun Boat IV

For a cruise that's extra chic, the Sanctuary Sun Boat IV pulls out all the stops. The 38 elegant cabins come with a nod to art-deco styling, private bathrooms, and epic views of the River Nile. Elsewhere, cabanas are dotted around the pool area, there’s a games room and gym, and gourmet cuisine prepared by award-winning chefs is served to you by white-gloved staff in the dining room. Enjoy a choice of 4 -7-night itineraries led by the best Egyptologists as they escort you down the Nile, visiting the likes of the Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings (and Queens), the famed Colossi of Memnon and Edfu. Entertainment and parties take place in the evenings, giving you a chance to slip happily into the culture and holiday mode. Suitable only for children aged 10+.

Abercrombie & Kent, 1411 Opus Place Exec.Towers West Ste 3oo Downers Grove, IL 60515, United States, +1 866-572-1553, social@abercrombiekent.com, www.abercrombiekent.com

North Kerala With The Lotus Houseboat

Glide your way around Kerala’s beautiful backwaters, complete with staff and a large dose of chill. Take in the pretty landscapes and wildlife, watch the locals going about their days on the river, hear ancient Indian stories, learn about the old spice trade, and discover the unique wonders of living on a houseboat. And what a houseboat. Stylishly decorated with traditional teak furniture, cheerful bright fabrics and Keralan art, Lotus Houseboat is the height of cosy and inviting. Try the cookery class with the fresh catch of the day. Also, due to its smaller size, you can weave through narrow canals motor-free and even embark on some kayaking among the backwaters.

ABChapri Retreats, Head Office: 402, Tower 2, DLF Corporate Greens, Sect 74 A, Southern Peripheral Rd, Gurugram, Haryana,  (New Delhi, NCR) India, +91 124 518 0961, reservations@abchapriretreats.in,
www.abchapriretreats.in

Indonesia With Rascal Charters

Indonesia is practically brimming with micro-cruise moments. Sail towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Komodo National Park or the diving sites of Raja Ampat. Guests who travel to Komodo will witness white and pink sand beaches, dramatic volcanic peaks, and deserted coves immersed by lush rainforests. The Raja Ampat journey visits remote islands with extraordinary marine life, such as hawksbill sea turtles and lionfish. Do this from the comfort of Rascal – a super-swish Phinisi cruiser. Laid-back luxury comes in the shape of an infinity roof deck, rattan ceilings, cabins, superb staff, and bespoke food and music menus.

Rascal Voyages, Head Office: 101c Telok Ayer Street, Level 4, Singapore, +65 80852381 enquiries@rascalvoyages.com, www.rascalvoyages.com

Galapagos Islands With La Pinta

La Pinta is less of a cruise ship and more of a luxurious bijou escape. Housing just 48 guests at a time, and featuring interconnecting cabins, it boasts a more boutique-y feel making it ideal for couples and families looking for a more exclusive sailing trip. The 4-6 night cruises take you around the enchanting Galapagos Islands with a packed itinerary that includes island hopping, spotting wildlife, snorkeling and swimming, and kayaking and canoeing. Back on board, relax on the sundeck with a cocktail, unwind in the open-air Jacuzzi, or listen to natural history talks from the guides. Children are treated to special meals, and there’s a Young Pirates program for mini explorers aged seven to 12.

Yacht La Pinta, Metropolitan Touring, Head Office: Av. De las Palmeras N45-74 y De las Orquídeas, Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador, (+1) 855-943-0196, traveldesk@metropolitan-touring.com,  www.lapintagalapagoscruise.com

Halong Bay With Indochina Junk

Have you ever imagined sailing through Vietnam's hidden paradise? So, this cruise is for families who don’t like crowds. Visit Bai Tu Long Bay – it's Halong Bay's quieter, equally gorgeous part. Just grab your overnight bag and hop aboard one of Indochina Junk's beautiful wooden boats for a quick 2-day and 1-night boutique voyage. Here’s what you can expect: a cosy cabin, limestone visible through massive windows. The cruise also provides you with your own bathroom and all the comforts you need. Additionally, the chef cooks up authentic Vietnamese dishes for that authentic touch. The fun part? You'll paddle through hidden caves, peek into floating villages, and get a glimpse of life on the water. You will also go through the Vung Vieng fishing village, which might even share some stories if you're lucky. Watching the sun set over those misty islands with your family and kids while sipping your favourite drink? That's the kind of moment that sticks with you.

Indochina Junk, 25 Pham Hong Thai Str, Ba Dinh Dist., Hanoi, Vietnam, +84 964 34 33 22, info@indochina-junk.com, www.indochina-junk.com

Signature Sunset Cruise With Sarawak River Cruise

Do you like sunsets? Jump aboard the Signature Sunset Cruise at 5:30 PM for a laid-back evening on the Sarawak River. The cruise's duration is 90 minutes, and you get to see the city lighting up while enjoying traditional layered cakes or sipping orange drinks. Also, if you have kids under 4, they cruise for free. For kids between 5 and 13, it’s RM 35 (~ $7), and an adult's ticket costs around RM 70 (~ $15). All of this makes it an affordable option, too. On this short cruise, you will see old forts and palaces, and local performers keep things lively with some cultural shows. Some of the key places you will see are the Astana palace, Fort Margherita, and that golden sunset painting the sky.

Additionally, the ship has two decks. The Mariner Lounge downstairs is your spot if you want some AC. Or you can head up to the Sky Deck to get some air or lounging in deck chairs.

Sarawak River Cruise, 1st Floor, No.124, Lot 42, Section 33, 93100 Jalan Tabuan, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, +6082 – 240 366, srcinbox@gmail.com, www.sarawakrivercruise.com

Sunset Dinner Cruise With North Borneo

This is another short cruise you can consider if you want a laid-back evening with a sunset. Take the North Borneo Cruises' dinner cruise at 5:30 PM from Sutera Marina Jetty. The ticket costs around MYR 250 (~$55) for one person, and you'll get approximately two hours on the South China Sea. And in case you’re Malaysian, here's a good deal: bring three friends and one gets to cruise for free! Additionally, you will get an international buffet on the cruise while a live band sets the mood. You also get the air-conditioned lower deck. You can go upstairs if you want to catch the ocean breeze and click some beautiful sunset shots. The best part? The ship’s got Wi-Fi too. As the day turns into night, you'll watch Kota Kinabalu starting to twinkle with city lights and its mesmerizing reflections on the water. Your ride ends around 7:30 pm.

North Borneo Cruises, L1.34, 1st Floor, Kompleks Asia City, Jalan Asia City, 88000, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, (+60) 12 885 2009, (+60) 16 524 2009, info@northborneocruises.com, www.northborneocruises.com

Classic Vietnam & Cambodia Tour With Pandaw

This 11-night adventure will take you through some incredible places in Vietnam and Cambodia. You spend 7 nights cruising down the Mekong River, plus you'll get to explore Southern Vietnam and Cambodia's famous temples before and after your cruise. Your trip starts in Saigon, where your guide will meet you at the airport and get you settled into your hotel. You can take some time to explore Nguyen Hue Street - it's a lively place with street performers and local artists. The next day, you'll dive into Vietnam's history with a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, plus some of Saigon's most important sites like the Reunification Hall and War Museum. Next, you hop on the cruise from Saigon to the Mekong Delta River. Your river cruise goes through Ben Tre's waterways and floating fish farms in Chau Doc. You will visit the legendary Angkor Wat temples in Siem Reap towards the end. The ticket cost starts at $4,387, which includes all the food on the cruise and guide charges — showing you around every step of the way.

117 Nguyen Cuu Van, 17 Ward, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, +84 (0)28 4458 2618, information@pandaw.com, www.pandaw.com

Bali - Komodo National Park With Aqua Expeditions

If you’re in Bali, you will love this short cruise to Komodo Island. Hop aboard the Aqua Blu and explore some of the most incredible spots in the Coral Triangle. You'll pass through Indonesia's massive chain of islands (there are over 17,500 of them!) and see everything from the wild savannahs of Komodo to Bali's famous rice fields. But the best part? The cruise takes you to Komodo National Park — it's actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is huge, and it's where you can spot the Komodo Dragons in their natural habitat. Fun fact: Komodos are the largest lizards on Earth. You'll travel with just 29 other guests in one of 15 beautiful suites. The conclusion: the ship won’t feel crowded. Additionally, you will also get some amazing Indonesian-inspired dishes by chef Benjamin Cross. Also, you can grab some snorkelling gear or kayaks and check out the colourful marine life right from the ship.

Aqua Expeditions, 10 Jln Kilang, #06-04/05, Singapore 159410, +62 853388 19530, +65 6429 8448, reservations@aquaexpeditions.com, www.aquaexpeditions.com