World School Cruise - Asia Navigator · Part 1
Part 1 of the World School Cruise - Asia Navigator. Twelve nights on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, Tokyo (Yokohama) to Singapore, leaving Wednesday 12 May 2027.
It's one of two back to back sailings on the same ship. Book this part on its own, see the whole 17 night cruise, or add Part 2 to Penang and Phuket and stay onboard for 17 nights without changing cabins.
Where does Part 1 go?
Four incredible stops in Japan to start. Sail from Yokohama, then explore Mt Fuji (Shimizu), Nagoya and Osaka, with the option to venture into Kyoto during our long day in port.
A full day in Hong Kong, with the ship staying until 10pm so families can experience the city after dark.
A full day in Vietnam, arriving at Phuoc An, the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam.
Six days at sea woven throughout the journey, giving families plenty of time to slow down, enjoy the ship and spend time together as we travel through Asia.
Five destinations, six sea days and four incredible countries: Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
Day by day, Tokyo to Singapore
Day 1 · Wed 12 May · Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan · depart 7:00pm
Our adventure begins in Yokohama! Board Navigator of the Seas, unpack once and settle into your new home at sea. There’s time to explore the ship, find the pools and kids’ spaces and begin meeting the other families joining us for the journey.
Day 2 · Thu 13 May · Mt Fuji (Shimizu), Japan · 7:00am–6:00pm
Our first port brings us to the foothills of Japan’s most famous mountain. On a clear day, Shimizu offers some beautiful views of Mt Fuji.
Families can choose how adventurous they want to be. Miho-no-Matsubara combines a pine-lined coastline with views towards Mt Fuji, while closer to the port you can discover Shimizu’s fishing culture, try some incredibly fresh sushi or explore S-Pulse Dream Plaza.
There are some lovely natural learning opportunities here too. Mt Fuji is an active volcano and Japan’s highest mountain at 3,776 metres, making this an easy place to have conversations with your kids about volcanoes, mountains, geography and why Japan experiences so much geological activity.
Day 3 · Fri 14 May · Nagoya, Japan · 7:00am–4:00pm
Nagoya gives families a completely different look at Japan. The city is known for both its samurai history and its enormous contribution to Japanese manufacturing and engineering.
Depending on your family’s interests, spend the day exploring castles and samurai history, or follow the science and technology side of the city through trains, cars, engineering and hands-on museums.
Nagoya is part of the heartland of Japanese manufacturing and the home region of Toyota. It’s a great place for kids to discover the Japanese idea of monozukuri, the skill and pride involved in making things well.
Day 4 · Sat 15 May · Kyoto (Osaka), Japan · 9:00am–10:00pm
A fantastic long day in port gives families plenty of choice.
Stay in Osaka and explore one of Japan’s most fun and family-friendly cities: colourful neighbourhoods, markets, castles, quirky shops and some seriously good food. Osaka is often nicknamed “Japan’s Kitchen”, so this is definitely a day to arrive hungry.
Or venture further afield to Kyoto, where traditional streets, gardens, temples and the famous red torii gates offer a glimpse into an older Japan. Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for more than 1,000 years and today contains 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Day 5 · Sun 16 May · At Sea
Our first proper sea day!
Sleep in, have a long breakfast, swim, explore the ship or join one of the activities onboard. Sea days are the perfect opportunity for our Worldschool kids to hang out and spend time getting to know one another at one of the many activities onboard.
Day 6 · Mon 17 May · At Sea
Another day with nowhere we need to be. Navigator of the Seas becomes our floating home. Kids can enjoy the pools, waterslides and activities onboard, while parents have a chance to do what interests them also. And one of the best things about travelling by cruise? While we're swimming, eating and sleeping, we're still travelling towards our next country, no airport rush, weighing luggage or security checks in sight… bliss.
Day 7 · Tue 18 May · At Sea
As we continue towards Hong Kong and enjoy our third day at sea, everyone has well and truly settled into life onboard. The kids have made new friendships, know their way around the ship and are usually very happy making the most of everything on offer with their new friends.
Families can plan the day however they like: meet up with others from our Worldschool group, join the ship’s organised activities, hit the pools and waterslides, play mini golf, try the sports court or simply find a favourite spot to relax.
And there’s plenty for parents too. Depending on the day’s onboard program, you might squeeze in a workout, enjoy the adults-only Solarium, join a trivia session or activity, grab a coffee, catch some live entertainment, enjoy a long lunch or simply sit somewhere quiet with a book while the kids are happily occupied.
That’s one of the things we love about sea days: there’s plenty happening if you want it, but absolutely no pressure to do any of it.
Day 8 · Wed 19 May · Hong Kong · 8:00am–10:00pm
Today we wake up somewhere completely different.
Hong Kong is fast, colourful and wonderfully easy to explore. Families might ride the historic Star Ferry across Victoria Harbour, head up to Victoria Peak for incredible views, wander through local markets, ride the city’s public transport and, of course, stop for dim sum.
It’s also an interesting place for kids to simply observe. Chinese traditions sit alongside influences from Hong Kong’s British colonial history, while enormous skyscrapers rise between mountains and the harbour.
With the ship staying until 10:00pm, there’s also an opportunity to experience Hong Kong after dark and see its famous skyline illuminated before returning to the ship.
Day 9 · Thu 20 May · At Sea
After a big Hong Kong day, nobody has to wake up early for another excursion.
Have a slow morning, grab breakfast when you’re ready and spend the day enjoying the ship as we continue south through the South China Sea.
Day 10 · Fri 21 May · At Sea
Another wonderfully easy travel day.
By this point, the ship tends to feel less like a cruise ship and more like a little travelling neighbourhood. The kids know where everything is, friendships have formed and families naturally find each other around the pool, activities and meals.
Tomorrow we arrive in Vietnam.
Day 11 · Sat 22 May · Ho Chi Minh City (Phuoc An), Vietnam · 7:00am–7:00pm
Welcome to Vietnam!
We arrive at Phuoc An, the gateway for exploring Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam. This is one port where families wanting to travel into central Ho Chi Minh City may prefer an organised shore excursion or pre-arranged transport rather than simply walking off the ship and exploring independently.
In the city, families can discover bustling markets, colourful neighbourhoods, incredible Vietnamese food and important chapters of the country’s history. Possible stops include Ben Thanh Market, Cholon, the historic central city and museums exploring Vietnam’s more recent past.
For our family, Vietnam is a country we know and love, so it feels particularly special to include it in this journey. It’s also a fascinating contrast after Japan and Hong Kong: different language, architecture, food, history and everyday life. It’s going to be incredible!
Day 12 · Sun 23 May · At Sea
Our final full day onboard.
After exploring three very different parts of Asia, today is about enjoying the ship and our final day together. Swim, play, eat, catch up with friends and hopefully spend a little less time packing than you normally would at the end of a holiday!
For families continuing with us onto Part 2, the adventure isn't quite over yet.
Day 13 · Mon 24 May · Singapore · arrive 6:30am
Wake up in Singapore!
After travelling from Japan through Hong Kong and Vietnam, we finish in one of Asia’s easiest cities to explore as a family. Gardens, hawker centres, colourful neighbourhoods, incredible public transport and family attractions make Singapore a destination worth spending some extra time in, not simply somewhere to fly home from.
For some families, this is where the adventure ends and Singapore makes an incredibly convenient gateway for flights home.
For others, Part 2 begins here. Families can continue with us on the optional back-to-back cruise, meaning no airport, no flight and no major travel day in between, just another Asian adventure waiting to begin.
What is there to do on Navigator of the Seas?
More than you'll get through in twelve nights.
For the kids
The Perfect Storm racing waterslides
Splashaway Bay for the little ones
The FlowRider surf simulator
Battle for Planet Z laser tag
Escape rooms
Rock climbing and mini golf
A full sports court
For the adults
A resort style pool deck
The three level Lime and Coconut bar
Clubs, running all voyage
Adventure Ocean for the kids
The Living Room for the teens
Both run age appropriate programs the whole way
Included in your fare
Main dining room meals and a range of casual dining options
Live entertainment and shows
Swimming pools and selected onboard activities
Kids’ and youth programs
Plenty of spaces to relax, play and spend time together
A lot is already included in your cruise fare, so you’re not reaching for your wallet every time the kids want something to do. Shore excursions aren’t included in your fare.
What makes this a Worldschool Cruise?
You’re not the only ones. You’ll be sailing alongside other home schooling and world schooling families, so the kids have the opportunity to make friends from day one, and parents get to connect with other families who understand this way of life and learning.
The journey becomes the classroom. There’s no formal school program and no worksheets to complete. The learning happens naturally as we travel. Japan’s history and culture, navigating new cities and transport systems, changing currencies and languages, crossing the South China Sea, trying unfamiliar foods and discovering that everyday life can look completely different from one country to the next. And that’s really just the beginning of what the kids will see, learn and experience along the way.
There’s time to actually enjoy it. One of the best parts of cruising is that the travelling happens while you sleep, swim, eat and spend time together. There are no constant airport days, unpacking and repacking or trying to move a family and all their luggage between cities. You unpack once and your floating home takes you to the next destination.
We help with the logistics. From choosing the right cabin and making your booking through to group coordination and helping you prepare for the journey, we’re here to make the process easier. Once you’re onboard, you can actually enjoy the experience too, because this is meant to be a holiday for the parents as well as an adventure for the kids!
We do this ourselves. We’re a worldschooling family travelling with our four kids, and after years of travelling together we’ve learnt a lot, including plenty of things the hard way! We understand the little questions that come with taking kids around the world, as well as the bigger things that inevitably pop up along the way. You’re doing the adventure with your own family, but you’re not doing it alone.
How much does Part 1 cost?
These are the starting prices for one interior cabin, including taxes, port expenses and gratuities:
2 people · from A$3,485 · about US$2,420 · about £1,830
3 people · from A$3,598 · about US$2,500 · about £1,890
4 people · from A$3,747 · about US$2,600 · about £1,970
Prices were checked on Saturday 3 October 2026. They aren’t guaranteed and depend on availability, and the US and UK prices are approximate. For your family’s quote, book a conversation with me.
This is a cruise only booking. Shore excursions aren't included in the price and we haven't booked any. They're optional, and each family can choose and book their own if they want to.
How do we book, and do we have to pay a deposit?
No money down to hold a cabin.
Book a conversation with me. We'll talk through your family and what you want out of it.
I come back with a quote built around your family.
If it works, I put a 4 day hold on your cabin. No deposit, no card, nothing locked in.
To confirm, there's a deposit. On the current interior fares Royal Caribbean asks A$450 per person, and more for balconies and suites. The deposit on these fares is non-refundable. We'll give you the exact figure, in your currency, with your quote.
Royal Caribbean lets us hold because we're booking a long way ahead. The hold drops off on its own after 4 days and it can't be extended.
One thing worth knowing: we book each family individually first, then group everyone together once we have eight staterooms. That way you get the group benefits and still get the cabin that suits your family.
To get started, simply book a conversation here.
Dream big, the world is waiting.