CruiseWorld Asia 2026
programme schedule

Attend and stand a chance to win a cruise holiday!*
Happening on 16 September 2026.
Time Session Details
08.15am
Networking & Registration
09.00am
Welcome Address
09.15am
A New Beginning: Four Trends Worth Watching
  • Siew Hoon Yeoh, Founder, WiT
09.25am
The Future of Cruise Tourism in Asia: What's the Growth Story?
As cruise lines expand their presence in Asia, how can destinations position themselves for success? Hear from tourism leaders on what’s fuelling growth and the opportunities ahead.
  • Ooi Chok Yan, CEO, Penang Global Tourism
  • Chitra Rajesh Kumar, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board
  • Paulo Benito S. Tugbang, Director IV, Office of Product Development, Department of Tourism, Philippines
09.50am
Opening Address by Disney Cruise Line
  • Sarah Fox, Vice President and Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line
10.00am
Opening Address by Royal Caribbean
  • Benjamin Bouldin, President of Greater China and Managing Director of Asia, Royal Caribbean
10.10am
Opening Address by StarDream Cruises
  • Michael Goh, President, StarDream Cruises
10.20am
Money, Motivation and Momentum of Asian Travellers
  • Dr Simon Baptist, Principal Economist, Asia Pacific, Visa
10.35am
Coffee Break & Networking
11.00am
Cruise Partner Showcase by StarDream Cruises
  • Terence Lim, Vice President, Sales, StarDream Cruises
11.15am
Beating Netflix at Sea: The Experiences That Keep Guests Coming Back
From immersive productions to themed sailings and lifestyle programming, explore the experiences shaping cruise demand.
  • Colin Kerr, Senior Vice President of Entertainment, StarDream Cruises
  • Pauline Suharno, President, ASTINDO
  • Nungky Ng, Head of Cruise, Citystate Cruises
11.40am
Cruise Partner Showcase by Royal Caribbean
  • Diane Chiang, Director of Singapore Trade Sales, Royal Caribbean
11.55am
The New Cruise Marketplace: Selling in an Era of Choice
How travel advisors and cruise brands are adapting to a broader range of products, itineraries and traveller expectations.
  • Diane Chiang, Director of Singapore Trade Sales, Royal Caribbean
  • Steven Ler, Executive Director, Head of Travel, UOB Travel Planners
  • Khe Han Lai, Director, TLC Travel & Tours
12.20pm
Cruise Partner Showcase by Disney Cruise Line
  • Julie Yeong, Sales Lead, Disney Cruise Line
12.35pm
Cruise Partner Showcase by Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore
  • Jacqueline Ng, Head, Business Development and Marketing, SATS-Creuers Cruise Services
12.45pm
Lunch & Trade Partner Showcase
01.50pm
Lucky Draw
02.00pm
The Big Picture: What’s Next for Cruise in Asia?
Top cruise leaders share their outlook on market trends, emerging opportunities, and the future direction of cruising in the region.
  • Michael Goh, President, StarDream Cruises
  • Benjamin Bouldin, President of Greater China and Managing Director of Asia, Royal Caribbean
  • Sarah Fox, Vice President and Regional General Manager, Southeast Asia, Disney Cruise Line
  • YB Wong Hon Wai, Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism & Creative Economy
02.30pm
Staying Ahead in Cruise's Next Wave
What will drive the next wave of cruise growth? Leading travel agency executives discuss evolving traveller preferences and the strategies needed to capture the next phase of cruise growth.
  • Ong Hanjie, Director, EU Holidays
  • Chen Jingkai, General Manager, Chan Brothers Travel
  • Evelyn Bondagjy, Executive Vice-President, Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA)
  • Sutatip Chadavadh, Managing Director, Regale International Travel
02.55pm
Beyond the Buffet: Selling Taste, Luxury and Lifestyle at Sea
As affluent travellers seek more personalised, immersive and experience-led holidays, explore how cuisine, luxury and lifestyle have become powerful drivers of travel choice.
  • Loh Lik Peng, CEO, Unlisted Collection
  • Jill Goh, General Manager, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore
  • Xiao Tianyu, Assistant General Manager, Six Stars Tours & Services
  • Moderator: Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, Editorial Director, Travel Weekly Asia
03.15pm
Building Cruise Asia: Ports, Partnerships and the Next Wave of Growth
Explore how ports, destinations, and industry stakeholders can work together to strengthen Asia's cruise ecosystem and unlock new growth opportunities.
  • Gregory Tan, CEO, SATS-Creuers Cruise Services
  • Hirohito Ito, Director, Cruise Research Laboratory, Central Consultant Inc.
  • Thao Nguyen, Ha Long Cruise Port Manager, Global Ports Holding
03.40pm
Coffee Break & Trade Partner Showcase
03.55pm
The Experience Economy: Engaging Cruise Travellers Beyond the Sailing
From shore experiences to destination partnerships, discover how memorable moments beyond the ship create greater value for cruise travellers and travel agents.
  • Chee Chong Chan, CEO, GlobalTix
  • Ryan Low, Director, The Traveller DMC
  • Sven Dong, Director of Cruise Business, Trip.com
04.20pm
Reaching Today's Traveller: What Really Works Now?
Marketing experts share the strategies, content, and channels delivering real results in an increasingly crowded travel marketplace.
  • Adam Kamal, Vice President, Research and Technology, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA)
  • Chatrine Siswoyo, Co-Founder, Creators Association of Southeast Asia (CASA)
  • Nicole Ho, Director of Corporate Communications, Jetour Travel
04.45pm
Lucky Draw
05.00pm
Closing Networking
05.45pm
End of Programme
Session 1

Rebuild: Steering Toward a Safe Cruise Future

Thursday, 8 October
1500hr – 1630hr (GMT+8)
In the first installment of a three-part travel agent training series, the key focus of this session is to get the Asia travel agent community up to date on the latest protocols and guidelines in the cruise industry.

Key session highlights:

- CLIA Training
· Cruise industry response to Covid-19 across key geographic regions – Asia, Australia, North America and Europe
· An overview of recovery guidance and policies adopted by cruise lines and destinations

 - Dream Cruises Updates
· Costa Cruises’ health and safety standards
· How Costa Cruises is working with travel agents to chart cruise recovery

 - Panel discussion featuring CLIA, STB & Dream Cruises


Session 2:

Reassure: Boosting Confidence in Cruising

Tuesday, 13 October
1500hr – 1630hr (GMT+8)
In the second installment of the travel agent training series, this session emphasizes on bolstering travel agents’ confidence in the cruise industry, taking a closer look at a cruise resumption success story in Asia and tips on selling cruises in the new norm.

Key session highlights:

- CLIA Training
· Navigating in the new post-Covid norm - How travel agents can uncover opportunities and sell cruises in a different environment

 - Costa Cruises Updates
· Case study on Dream Cruises’ resumption of sailings in Taiwan
· How Dream Cruises is working with travel agents to chart cruise recovery

 - Panel discussion featuring CLIA, STB & Costa Cruises


Session 3:

Renew: Building Sales Strategies for the New Norm

Wednesday, 14 October
1500hr – 1630hr (GMT+8)
The final session of this three-part travel agent training series aims to get Asia’s cruise community poised for the industry restart by examining the new opportunities and sales strategies when sailings resume.

Key session highlights:

- CLIA Training
· Identifying the key segments to target during the recovery period
· Tips and tools that cruise agents can use to upgrade themselves

 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Updates
· Royal Caribbean Cruises’ health and safety protocols
· How is Royal Caribbean Cruises working with travel agents to chart cruise recovery

 - Travel insurance company sharing on Covid-19 cover - Panel discussion featuring CLIA, STB, Costa Cruises, Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises


Programme is tentative and is subjected to change. Last updated on 14 September 2026.
*For travel agents only.