By November of this year, Princess Cruises will embark on a new, extensive itinerary to connect Southeast Asian countries, and this includes Vietnam in its fresh choices of cruise trips. Princess Cruises is a global cruise line brand under Carnival Corporation & Plc.

Princess Cruises has decided to include Vietnam in its new selection of destinations because of the country's, and the Southeast Asian nations as a whole, potential in the cruise trip business. According to the cruise line's Director for Southeast Asia Farriek Tawfik, the Vietnamese cruise market will bring in a “significant” total economic impact in terms of passenger and crew spending, port and other local costs, and travel agent commissions and marketing costs. The company has already collaborated with local travel agencies and Vietnam Airlines to further study and explore the opportunities in the cruise trip sector.

Sapphire Princess is the cruise ship assigned to the company's Vietnam destination, embarking on a four-month cruise trip season to the region. The ship will dock at Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province and Nha Trang City in the central province of Khanh Hoa, two of the most famous international cruise destinations in the country. Passengers will then be able to visit Southern Vietnam, a favorite weekend getaway location for tourists, and HCMC, known for its cultural richness. Nha Trang itself has been increasingly attracting a big volume of foreigners each year because of its pristine white and sandy beaches and delectable fresh seafood.

Before, the cruise market of Vietnam was still in its early stages compared to the other places. Its developing potential can be attributed the notable rise of the middle class and the increased awareness and demand for cruising. Thus, 2013 saw more than a 67% increase compared to 2012, totalling to 193,200 visitors by sea. And based on the calculative prediction of the Vietnam National Aministration of Vietnam (VNAT), this number could even jump to one million by 2015.

The Sapphire Princess itinerary to Vietnam will range from three to 11 days, including a seven-day Vietnam and Thailand trip to Phu My Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tu Province, and an 11-day Southeast Asian trip including a stop over at Phu My and Nha Trang. The Southeast Asia itinerary includes docking at seven countries and 16 ports including Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Brunei. The Southeast Asian destinations have been especially designed for the unique and wide range of vacation market in the region.

The cruise market of Vietnam and the business as a whole is a growing industry. This will be further developed with a strong government support and private sector initiatives in terms of regulatory procedures, destination development and port infrastructure.