6 Bali Cruise Lines That Made Our Chaotic Trips Smooth Sailing
Growing up in a big family, every vacation felt like a scene from the movie “Home Alone.” My parents were freaking out, my siblings were in chaos, and I was in my own little world, wishing we could skip to the good part and get this craziness over with.
And while I didn’t actually get lost like the film’s protagonist, there were times when I wondered if all the travel madness was worth it. That said, we’ve had some pretty epic adventures—think golden beaches, lush forests, and even wildlife safaris!
But as a teen, I almost lost interest in family trips—until Dad made us join a cruise. I wasn’t expecting the magic of endless horizons, onboard luxury, and sea stargazing, which quickly became my favorite! Now, here are the top cruise lines we’ve tried since.
Where can I enjoy a cruise in Bali?
There are several cruise line companies where you can enjoy a cruise in Bali! Notable ones are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line.
Royal Caribbean
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Website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-to/benoa-bali
Location: Southern tip of Bali, about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Denpasar
Contact Details: +62 855 5904 9864, +65 6675 0414, [email protected]
Fees:
- From USD 2,103 (approx. Rp 33,688,156.36) for an inside cabin to USD 4,351 (approx. Rp 69,699,081.47) for a suite
Royal Caribbean offers a Bali cruise to Benoa, which we believe is an island jackpot! We bet you’ll love the exotic beauty of this location in a serene setting.
For us, the amenities look great too! It’s got a 40-foot rock climbing wall that doesn’t require bookings and a multipurpose sports hall for table tennis, basketball, and bumper cars. There are several dining spots, room service, and live performances as well.
At Benoa, you can also hit the golden beach and rocky cliffsides at Nusa Dua, kayak in the calm Tanjung Benoa peninsula, and wander around Coaw Eng Bio Chinese Temple, a Buddhist holy site where you can see a dragon boat sculpture.
| Pro tips: Benoa doesn’t have a central shopping area, so we suggest visiting local hotel gift shops for souvenirs. For example, you can buy colorful Batik fabric or traditional Balinese incense at Melia Bali and the Goodway Hotel. Also, don’t underestimate the size of Bali! While spots like Kuta and Ubud seem close to Benoa, unpredictable driving conditions mean it’s best to stay relatively close by. |
Celebrity Cruises
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Website: https://www.celebritycruises.com/int/ports/benoa-bali
Address: Jalan Dermaga II, Pedungan, Kuta Selatan, Kota Denpasar
Fees:
- From USD 1,026 (approx. Rp 16,435,591.26) to USD 2,067 (approx. Rp 33,111,468.95) per person
Known for its premium cruise experience, Celebrity Cruises features itineraries that include Bali as a port of call. It also typically includes routes through Asia and Australia.
Its elegant ships offer exclusive dining, lounge access, and all-suite accommodations at The Retreat. You can spend the afternoon basking by the pool at the Sunset Bar. Of course, consider having a rejuvenating massage at The Spa too!
Along the cruise, you’ll see Benoa’s beaches, rainforests, emerald rice paddies, and temples. Plus, you’ll find lush tropical forests on Phuket island in Thailand, authentic Malaysian street food at the Petaling Street market in Kuala Lumpur, and more.
| Retail therapy reminders: When going around Bali, we recommend paying with cash when you can—some smaller stores may not accept credit cards! There are some ATMs around too, but you’ll need to keep on a lookout or ask the locals. Tipping is also not customary in Benoa, but tour guides and restaurant staff are usually thankful for this courtesy. |
Norwegian Cruise Line
– Media credit: norwegiancruiseline
Website: https://www.ncl.com/in/en/port-of-call/cruises-to-bali-benoa
Location: Celukan Bawang
Contact Details: +63 28 626 3209
Fees:
- From USD 1,169 (approx. Rp 18,725,918.75) to USD 2,159 (approx. Rp 34,584,481.25)
The Norwegian Cruise Line offers casual cruising with flexible itineraries, which often include Bali among other Southeast Asian destinations. The cruises also typically stop in Malaysia, Thailand, and other regional highlights so there’s plenty to see!
Depending on your preference, the cruise options to Benoa can last anywhere from 11 to 19 days. We love that the fees already come with an unlimited open bar, specialty dining, Wi-Fi package, and excursion credits (travel incentives) if applicable.
| Savvy suggestion: We recommend booking at the Norwegian Cruise Line online. At times, it can go as low as 50% off on all cruises or offer free tickets for 3rd and 4th guests! |
Princess Cruises
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Website: https://www.princess.com/ports-excursions/bali-benoa-indonesia-excursions/
Contact Details: 1 800 PRINCESS (1 800 774 6237)
Fees:
- Need to contact the staff directly
Besides providing a range of itineraries that feature Bali, Princess Cruises focuses on many cultural excursions and onboard entertainment.
For one, its Asia Voyage cruises include Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, so we reckon you’ll discover many natural wonders and rich cultures.
Plus, we bet you’ll have the time of your life with the modern art galleries, history courses, auctions, and casinos. For a more active experience, you may also play sports like basketball and miniature golf. Or, why not try something new like a dancing class?
| Insider scoop: Does your child like wandering around the ship? Take advantage of Princess Cruises’ wearable tracking device! It lets you know where your kids are at any time, and you can use an app to chat with them. Just make sure everyone’s wearing life jackets too! |
Holland America Line
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Address: Jalan Patih Jelantik Istana Kuta Galeria Bl PM/12, Badung
Contact Details: 1 877 932 4259, 206 626 7020, [email protected]
Fees:
- From USD 2,424 (approx. Rp 38,856,739.88) to USD 31,154 (approx. Rp 499,398,875.46), depending on how many cruise days are available
Popular for its premium cruising experience, Holland America offers itineraries that include Bali as part of longer cruises around the region.
We also think the activities offered on board are endless! You can sunbathe, swim, watch a live cooking demonstration, challenge yourself with a trivia game, or join a pickleball tournament!
Its cruises also explore multiple ports in Indonesia and beyond. What we like the most are the Grand World Voyages, which can go from 15 to 124 days! It can be pricey, but we believe it’s a worthy one-in-a-lifetime experience for those who can have it.
| Good to know: Do you want the kids occupied and entertained while you have your fun? We suggest letting them join Holland America Line’s Kids Club Youth Program! Good for ages 3 to 17, this opportunity offers many entertaining activities, like arts and crafts, sports, video games, scavenger hunts, team games, and themed parties. Win-win! |
Viking Ocean Cruises
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Website: https://www.vikingcruises.com.au/oceans/cruise-destinations/asia-australia/bangkok-bali-beyond/index.html or https://www.vikingcruises.com.au/oceans/search-cruises/index-a.html?Countries=Indonesia
Fees:
- From USD 5,972 (approx. Rp 95,730,861.40)
Viking Ocean Cruises provides cultural enrichment experiences that often include stops in Bali as part of longer voyages through Asia.
The cruise is called “Bangkok, Bali & Beyond,” and you can build the trip to your preferences. You can either select your own staterooms, like the Explorer Suite or Penthouse Veranda, or let the cruise line choose one for you.
It’s helpful for us that the cruise line provides virtual 360° tours too! Potential guests can see the deck plan, as well as the layouts of the entire ship and its staterooms—we love a well-informed adventure!
| Cool ideas: Got more time? We say opt for a pre-cruise extension at Viking Ocean Cruises! This lets you extend your trip by arriving at your selected departure port or destination a few days before and exploring to your heart’s content! And if you’re fascinated by literary works (and having peace and quiet), we recommend visiting the magnificent library on board! It offers specially curated selections by London bookseller Heywood Hill to enrich your journey. |