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USAA new report from the Post Office has unveiled the world’s best value destinations – and many can be explored on a cruise.
A new report from the Post Office has unveiled the world’s best value destinations – and many can be explored on a cruise.
Hoi An takes the top spot with prices down almost 11 percent compared to last year. A three-course meal for two with wine costs just £38.43, cheaper than most European cities.
Hoi An itself isn’t a port, but nearby Da Nang is a regular stop on Asia cruises 2025, giving passengers easy access to its lantern-lit streets and riverside markets.
Cruises to Da Nang give passengers the chance to take shore excursions to Ha Long Bay or Ho Chi Minh City. For cruisers, this means a day ashore where eating and drinking locally is excellent value.
Cape Town remains one of the world’s cheapest long-haul destinations despite slipping from first to second place. Coffee averages £1.68, while a full dinner for two is £42.55.
Cape Town is a major hub for cruises around Africa, the South Atlantic and repositionings between Europe and Asia. It’s also a spectacular embarkation point for itineraries to Namibia and beyond. Cruisers can plan pre- or post-cruise stays knowing everyday costs remain low.
Bali ranks third, with the survey finding a three-course meal with wine costs just £35.48 — the cheapest dinner in the entire study.
Benoa, Bali is a gateway port for Indonesian cruises, often paired with Lombok and Komodo. For cultural depth at a low cost, Bali is one of the best cruise to Asia destinations.
Mombasa climbed to fourth place with total costs of £68.33, cheaper than Tokyo. Drinks and meals ashore are some of the best value in Africa.
Mombasa appears on select Indian Ocean cruises alongside Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar. With low food and drink costs, cruisers can budget more for tours and safaris.
Tokyo has grown pricier (+5.6 percent) but still ranks fifth with costs of £68.61. A glass of wine is just £2.70 on average.
Tokyo is a hub for Japan cruises 2025, with Circle Japan itineraries often including calls at Osaka, Nagasaki and Hakodate, plus routes extending to South Korea and Taiwan. Although food and drink remain affordable compared to Europe, rising costs suggest passengers may want to save their yen for excursions.
Colombo has risen in value, overtaking Delhi thanks to a 5.4 percent price drop. A meal for two with wine is £47.12, while total everyday costs are £73.93.
Colombo is a highlight of Indian Ocean sailings, often paired with Kerala, Goa or the Maldives. With meals good value, cruisers may find it worth skipping onboard dining in favour of a local experience. Many travellers also extend their cruise with land tours to Sri Lanka’s beaches or tea country.
Penang broke into the top 10 after costs fell almost 19 percent. The total basket of items came to £83.85, making it cheaper than India’s Delhi.
George Town, Penang is a regular stop on cruises from Singapore. It’s famous for heritage architecture and some of the best street food in Asia – meaning a cheap and rewarding DIY day ashore.
Delhi slipped after prices rose nearly 15 percent, but still ranks in the top 10 at £85.89 overall.
Delhi isn’t coastal, but many India cruise holidays offer Golden Triangle tours from Delhi, Agra and Jaipur as pre- or post-cruise extensions to sailings from Mumbai or Goa. For cruisers, it is less a port day and more an add-on to plan for in advance.
Phuket in Thailand saw a 14 percent price drop this year, pushing it into ninth place. Total everyday costs were £87.82, with dinner for two costing £53.49.
Phuket is one of Southeast Asia’s busiest cruise ports, often paired with Penang and Singapore. With beaches, islands and nightlife, it’s a classic cheap long-haul holiday stop for cruisers.
Santiago completes the top 10 with total costs of £93.02, down 8.5 percent on last year. A dinner for two with wine averages £61.19.
Santiago is the access point for Valparaíso, Chile’s main port. From here, ships head south to Patagonia or north to Peru. It’s also a common start for South America cruises 2025 including Antarctica voyages. With everyday costs lower, a pre- or post-cruise stay is easier on the wallet.
