A Taiwan cruise brings you to one of Asia’s most underrated and welcoming destinations. The island blends Chinese heritage, Japanese influences, indigenous culture, and a famously friendly, food-obsessed modern society. The main cruise gateway is Keelung, the port for the capital Taipei, with its towering Taipei 101, its temples, and its legendary night markets. The southern city of Kaohsiung offers a sunnier, more relaxed alternative. Taiwan increasingly features on East Asia itineraries.

For cruisers, Taiwan offers genuine warmth and one of the best street-food scenes on Earth, alongside misty mountains, hot springs, and bustling temple-lined streets. Taipei delivers the headline sights and the famous night markets, reachable from Keelung, while the island’s relaxed pace and welcoming people make it an easy, rewarding stop. Often paired with Japan, Korea, or the Southeast Asian ports, it is a delicious and friendly addition to a regional voyage.

Quick Facts

Best Time to Cruise

Taiwan’s cruise season runs October through April, timed to the cooler, drier months and to avoid the hot, humid, typhoon-prone summer. Peak season is November through March, with the most comfortable temperatures, though the north around Taipei can be cool and drizzly in winter.

The best value sits in the shoulder months of October and April, when the weather is warm and largely pleasant but fares ease, though April brings rising humidity. Browse the latest Asia cruise deals to compare, since Taiwan usually pairs with other regional ports.

Summer, May through September, is hot, humid, and prone to typhoons that can disrupt itineraries, so sailings cluster in the cooler half of the year. For the best mix of comfortable weather and value, sail in October, November, or March, and note that northern Taiwan can be damp in deep winter.

Top Cruise Ports

Keelung (for Taipei)

Keelung is the northern port for Taipei, with the capital about an hour away by train or transfer. Keelung itself has a famous night market and a hillside temple worth a look. It is the main cruise gateway to Taiwan’s headline city.

Taipei delivers the iconic Taipei 101 tower, the vast National Palace Museum of Chinese treasures, the Longshan Temple, and the legendary night markets. Insider tip: Taipei’s night markets are a highlight, so if your ship has a late departure, the Shilin or Raohe markets are an unmissable feast. The National Palace Museum, meanwhile, holds one of the world’s great art collections.

Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s sunny southern port city, is a more relaxed, warmer alternative to the north, with a redeveloped harbor, temples, and a laid-back feel. Ships dock close to the revitalized waterfront and the city’s sights.

The draws are the Lotus Pond with its dragon and tiger pagodas, the harborside arts district, and the warmer southern climate. Insider tip: Kaohsiung is sunnier and more relaxed than Taipei, so it suits a gentler day of temples, the Lotus Pond pagodas, and the waterfront rather than a big-city rush.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Here

Taiwan features on East Asia itineraries, usually alongside Japan, Korea, or the Southeast Asian ports, so a range of lines call. The premium and mass-market lines lead. Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Holland America all include Keelung or Kaohsiung on regional routes.

The luxury and European lines call too, with Silversea on refined itineraries and MSC and Costa bringing big-ship cruising to the regional market.

Most Taiwan cruises come as part of a 7-to-14-night East Asia itinerary linking Taiwan with Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or the Southeast Asian ports. Read our Princess review, our Celebrity Cruises review, and our MSC review to match a line to your trip.

Shore Excursion Tips

Taiwan is reasonably easy for independent travelers, especially with the efficient train link from Keelung to Taipei and the walkable, sight-dense city centers. A do-it-yourself day to Taipei by train is doable, though it pays to research the route and timing carefully against the all-aboard.

Book through the ship or a reputable operator if you want a guided overview, help with the language, or to combine Taipei’s spread-out sights efficiently in a single day. The capital is a fair distance from Keelung.

Mandarin is the language, with some English in tourist areas, and the New Taiwan dollar is the currency, with both cards and cash common. Tipping is generally not customary. The street food is genuinely among the world’s best, so the night markets are essential. For more, see our guide to cruise shore excursions.

Sample Itineraries

A 7-to-10-night East Asia cruise on a Princess or Celebrity ship pairs Keelung for Taipei with Japanese or Korean ports, from around $1,399 per person. It is a common way to include Taiwan.

A 12-to-14-night East Asia voyage on Royal Caribbean or Holland America links Taiwan with Japan, Korea, and sometimes Hong Kong, from around $2,399 per person.

A Hong Kong to Japan repositioning or luxury cruise on Silversea or another line includes Taiwanese ports en route, pricing varying by length. Compare current sailings on the deals page before you book.

Packing & Practical Tips

Pack light, breathable clothing for the warm, humid climate, plus a layer for cooler, damp northern winters around Taipei and for air-conditioned interiors. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the cities, temples, and night markets. Bring a light rain layer and modest cover for temple visits.

Taiwan uses the New Taiwan dollar and the Type A/B plug (same as North America), so US travelers need no adaptor while others should bring one. Cards and cash are both common, so carry some local money for the night markets. Tap water is best treated as needing boiling, so stick to bottled. For the full list, see our cruise packing guide.

The Verdict

Taiwan is an underrated gem of an East Asia cruise stop, combining genuine warmth, fascinating culture, and quite possibly the best street food on the planet. Taipei delivers the headline sights and the legendary night markets, Kaohsiung offers a sunnier, gentler day, and the island’s friendly people and relaxed pace make it a delight. It is a delicious, welcoming complement to the bigger-name regional ports.

Book an East Asia cruise that calls in Taiwan if you want warm hospitality, rich culture, and extraordinary street food. Head to Taipei from Keelung for the headline sights and the night markets, or enjoy a gentler day in sunny Kaohsiung. For the best mix of comfortable weather and value, sail in October, November, or March rather than the typhoon-prone summer.

Related Guides (internal links)

• Asia Cruise Guide: the full regional overview
• Read our Princess Cruises review
• Read our Celebrity Cruises review
• Read our MSC Cruises review
• Cruising Japan: temples, food and cherry blossoms
• Cruising Hong Kong: skyline and harbor
• See this week’s Asia cruise deals
• Compare cruise lines side by side
• Plan your route with the Itinerary Planner

Last updated: May 23, 2026. Written by Helena Marsh, Editorial Director.