20 Accomplishments By BTS' Jung Kook During Mandatory Military Service

Jung Kook's managing to make his official solo debut and enlist for his mandatory South Korean military service within six months was already a testament to his ability to conquer and succeed quickly. However, the last 18 months during his conscription showed how much the youngest BTS member could accomplish even while serving his country.
As one of the best examples in showing that enlistment can coexist with superstardom, his enlistment beginning on December 12, 2023, and his discharge on June 11, 2025, allowed him not only to maintain but arguably elevate his career. Along with releasing new music, topping charts, winning prestigious awards, and giving back to his community, here's a chronological look at 20 of his standout milestones from his time away.
When the world's biggest streaming service revealed their year-end numbers, Jung Kook's massive solo single 'Seven' featuring Latto showed its lasting impact as the No. 4 top global song of 2023, only behind Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers,' SZA's 'Kill Bill' and 'As It Was' by Harry Styles. The achievement made him the only K-pop artist to land on any of Spotify's year-end global or U.S. lists.
The massive audience for 'Seven' hasn't slowed down either. As Jung Kook completed his service, 'Seven' remains in the top 100 most-streamed songs of all time on Spotify, with 2.39 billion streams at press time.
In the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry's global music report that looks at music sales and activity across the entire world, Jung Kook's 'Seven' landed at Number 10 on the IFPI Global Single Chart for 2023 making it the 10th biggest song in the world for the year — even with its July 2023 release.
Earning the achievement with his official debut single showed how Jung Kook the Soloists had truly arrived.
Recognized for his growing discography, Jung Kook joined the Korea Music Copyright Association as a regular member, following in the footsteps of his BTS band mates like Suga, RM and J‑Hope on January 31, 2024. Established in 1964, KOMCA protects the rights of music creators in South Korea, with members requiring a significant body of work for acceptance in the club.
Jung Kook delivered a massive moment for representation by snagging the win for Male Artist of the Year at the 2024 People's Choice Awards. Not only did JK beat out big names like Drake, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny, but won as the first-ever Asian artist to win the award at the February 18, 2024 ceremony in Santa Monica. The people have spoken, indeed!
On February 29, 2024, Billboard unveiled its inaugural K-Pop Artist 100 list, ranking the biggest K-pop artists and groups in America. Based on artist activity on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, and Billboard Boxscore touring data from January 2023 through December 2023, his Number One position only further underscored Jung Kook's undeniable dominance in the U.S.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan hosted its 2024 awards ceremony, which honors top artists locally, globally, and in Asia. After Jung Kook took home the Song of the Year by Streaming – Western award at the 2023 Japan Gold Disc Awards for 'Left and Right' with Charlie Puth, Jung Kook earned yet another SOTY at the March 2024 ceremony. 'Seven' with Latto nabbed Song of the Year by Download – Asia, cementing his impact on Japan's lucrative music market.
No joke: The iHeartRadio Music Awards may have taken place on April Fool's Day 2024, but Jung Kook's win as K‑Pop Artist of the Year showed how serious fans and radio were supporting him in the wake of his hugely successful Golden era.
Marking another cross‑border triumph for his debut solo smash, 'Seven' with Latto earned the Song of the Year award at the first-ever Asia Star Entertainer Awards that took place in Yokohama, Japan, on April 10, 2024.
As part of BTS's 11th‑anniversary 'FESTA' celebrations, the group's BIGHIT MUSIC shared an unreleased Jung Kook song, 'Never Let Go,' on June 7, 2024, marking his first solo output while serving. ARMY turned the upbeat thank‑you song for fans into a gift for JK himself when it became his seventh song to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, giving him a new record as the K-pop soloist with the most entries on the U.S.-based singles chart.
From August 8 through September 19, 2024, Jung Kook and his BTS band mate Jimin co‑starred in the eight‑episode travel reality show Are You Sure?! that streamed on Disney+ for the guys' first summer away from fans. The series allows the guys to get outside and showcase their sense of adventure and camaraderie. The duo even got nominated in the 'Favorite On Screen' category at the 2025 iHeartRadio Awards alongside other music stars' streaming hits like Taylor Swift's The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version), Demi Lovato's Child Star and Megan Thee Stallion's In Her Own Words.
Beginning September 18, 2024, Jung Kook's I Am Still documentary began showing in cinemas worldwide in 120 different territories. The film chronicled his solo era around his 2023 Golden album, offering an intimate look at his artistic evolution while reinforcing his cinematic appeal.
Due to overwhelming fan demand for I Am Still, HYBE, in collaboration with the doc's distributor, Trafalgar Releasing, announced that 'Party Edition' screenings would be coming to theaters, featuring an additional 20 minutes of singalong videos.
On May 1, 2024, the star was honored as part of the Gold House A100 List as one of 100 Asian Pacific figures shaping American culture. Jung Kook's influence extended beyond music to have a broader societal impact.
In particular, Gold House noted how Jung Kook being 'the first Asian to win 'Male Artist of the Year' at the People's Choice Awards' was one of the year's primary examples of Asian Pacific-led creativity breaking records in entertainment. That year, fellow honorees included Steve Aoki, Charli XCX, and Alan Chikin Chow, with a judging panel that included legendary journalist Lisa Ling, actor Daniel Dae Kim, and chart-topping music group Far East Movement.
After previously taking home the Top Global K‑Pop Song at last year's awards for 'Seven,' Jung Kook snagged the honor for a second time at the May 2024 show for another track, 'Standing Next to You.' Meanwhile, Golden secured the Top K‑Pop Album award, showing his ability to move records and singles.
With nearly 20 years of ceremonies under its belt, the Huading Awards in China recognize both local and international talent. Jung Kook earned the title of Asia's Most Popular Male Singer as the only K-pop soloist reportedly recognized at the event in yet another display of his power and popularity overseas.
During an October 2024 New Yorker feature about HYBE and its founder, Bang Si Hyuk, Usher belatedly disclosed that he invited Jung Kook to perform their remixed version of 'Standing Next to You' at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show that past February — a slot missed only due to service duties but shows the immense stages for which the world considers JK ready.
With winners voted by British radio listeners, the Global Awards took place on-air through the U.K.'s biggest radio stations, including Capital FM, Capital XTRA, Heart FM, Radio X, and Smooth Radio. Jung Kook and his fanbase were named the winner in the Best Fans category, highlighting the dedication of ARMY across the United Kingdom.
His first solo nomination for AAA culminated in a win for Best K‑Pop Record at the December 27, 2024 show, solidifying Jung Kook and his Golden era as both critical and fan favorites.
After Netflix's hit series XO, Kitty returned on January 16, 2025, and its soundtrack took over Billboard's Top TV Songs chart, led by Jung Kook's 'Seven,' which appeared in the season finale episode. With rankings based on song and show data blended with sales and streaming information for the month, 'Seven' earned an additional 12.5 million streams in the U.S., helping it break out among other songs synced and soundtracking other popular programs like Severance, High Potential, The Recruit and Landman.
To do his part as South Korea battled wildfires in March 2025, Jung Kook gifted 1 billion in Korean won (more than $733,680) to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association to split equally between emergency aid for wildfire victims and acts to improve firefighters' working conditions showcasing his pockets are deep for generosity and social responsibility.
Proving his consistent popularity, two Jung Kook tracks were named the Most Performed Songs of the Year at the 2025 BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles on May 13, 2025. JK and his collaborators like BloodPop and Dave Stewart (who worked on '3D' featuring Jack Harlow), as well as Andrew Watt and Ali Tamposi (for 'Standing Next to You'), were all recognized as part of honors for the songs that have received the most performances and plays across terrestrial radio, satellite radio, and digital streaming services over the past year. In the past, 'Seven' was honored at the awards in 2024, while 2023 saw 'Left and Right' with Charlie Puth honored. However, 2025 was the first time Team Golden Maknae received double the recognition.

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Where does Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall rank among MMA's best fights that never happened?

Jon Jones' time in MMA has officially come to an end, as we first learned at Saturday night's UFC Baku post-fight press conference. With Jones already facing a potential new round of legal trouble, it's almost too "perfectly MMA" of an exit for one of the sport's all-time greatest — the same man White himself propped up as the unequivocal greatest combat athlete ever. Regardless of how you feel about him or this final chapter of his career, Jones' legacy is set in stone, and he very much is one of, if not the best, the sport has ever seen. That's despite all the question marks and controversies throughout the years. But that's not the real question we should be asking in the wake of this quite frankly monumental announcement. Advertisement Jones' retirement leaves a sour taste in the community's collective mouthes for numerous reasons, though what sours it most is that we're forever left wondering what would've happened if Jones and new undisputed heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall had actually fought. Whether you were confident in either direction, the massive attraction that the matchup would've been isn't happening — and that flat-out sucks, especially if you like watching two incredibly talented larger gentlemen exchange fisticuffs. Unfortunately for longtime MMA fans, this isn't the first hotly-anticipated bout to fall by the wayside. Hell, it isn't even Jones' first in this category. So where exactly does the now-hypothetical Jones vs. Aspinall bout rank amongst all the previous highest-level violence pairings that had the world salivating until they didn't happen? GOATs and superfights eventually become synonymous with each other. Just ask Georges St-Pierre. (Josh Hedges via Getty Images) The superfights To first understand some of these fights that never happened, we have to make some specifications. In MMA, there have only been a small number of true superfights, which started with Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn's champion vs. champion rematch in 2009. When it comes to the nitty-gritty, a superfight must be a clash of two reigning champions, at the very least. However you want to further define it, based on those champions' statuses, is where things get debatable. But for the sake of this discussion, that's where we'll lay the foundation. Advertisement To make matters simpler, think of a fight that, at its highest imaginable quality, perfectly encapsulates "the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object" cliche. Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre Speaking of St-Pierre, his would-be clash against Anderson Silva might be the most-debated MMA fight that never happened. It is for me, anyway. We're talking about the greatest welterweight and the greatest middleweight of all time. If you lived through their historic reigns of nine and 10 consecutive title defenses, respectively, you thought these guys actually were incapable of losing. It made the idea of them fighting so much more thrilling. Advertisement Seeing St-Pierre eventually capture middleweight gold after Silva was out of the picture was a bitter pill to swallow. "Rush" could fit into the weight class just fine, which was always the question mark or concern. But not only that, he arguably performed better than he had before leaving four years prior. Stylistically, Silva vs. St-Pierre had literally everything you could ask for too. The UFC record books are absolutely loaded with each of these guys' names, and merely calling Silva vs. St-Pierre a "superfight" still doesn't quite do it justice. Imagine if Francis Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title in front of a crowd. (Jeff Bottari via Getty Images) Francis Ngannou vs. Jon Jones As a light heavyweight champion leaving the division to finally give fans what they wanted, Jones' heavyweight debut against a recently-crowned Francis Ngannou would have been perfect. Advertisement In a performance so easily forgotten in hindsight, Ngannou's coronation in his 2021 rematch against Stipe Miocic was ungodly. On that night, the Cameroonian knockout artist who showed up appeared to be the most horrifically unbeatable fighter ever seen. So much so that it delivered the world that now-infamous quote from White, who loudly proclaimed that he wouldn't want to fight Ngannou either if he were Jones. Contrast all of that with Jones, who had been unbeatable at light heavyweight. (Outside of him setting himself back multiple times.) He was always the biggest and best guy at his weight. There simply wasn't a challenge that's ever been bigger for Jones than the freshly-minted UFC champ Ngannou. Jose Aldo vs. Dominick Cruz Go back to Silva vs. St-Pierre and apply it here as the featherweight and bantamweight versions. Advertisement Jose Aldo vs. Dominick Cruz never quite had as much "need" or hype behind it as a lot of these fights, but it was undeniably as fantastical as it gets in the sport. Obviously it would've been best to see when each was at the heights of their respective UFC title reigns, solidifying their places in the history books. But even when it made the most sense at the ends of their careers, we missed it. Aldo vs. Cruz arguably had the most opportunities and time to make it of any superfight on this list. Especially considering Aldo eventually moved to bantamweight. There was no reason for this one not to happen ... besides both being too stubborn to think the other would progress them toward a title shot in their twilights. Featherweright champs just love Islam Makhachev, don't they? (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect / Reuters) Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria This one is the most recent of the bunch, and still has a potential to happen in a very bizarre and roundabout way. Advertisement Islam Makhachev is arguably the greatest lightweight of all time, opposite Ilia Topuria, who had the potential to be the greatest featherweight of all time. Instead, Topuria vacated the crown in pursuit of lightweight gold — before Makhachev did the same thing with his belt to go after welterweight gold. In other words, each champion had the same idea, which still led to some compelling outcomes, yet the best outcome of the bunch was the one we didn't get. The magnitude of Makhachev vs. Topuria may not have been appreciated until years later, after the dust on each other's careers settled. In the Octagon, though, this was the best skill-for-skill fight that could have been made in 2025. No fight will ever be as cursed as Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. (Chris Unger via Getty Images) The must-see fantasy fights Sometimes, the biggest fights that could've happened in MMA were fights between two fighters within the same division. You knew what you'd get when it came to size, narrowing down the intrigue of the stylistic matchup to its purest form. And in some cases, that helped the hope of delivering the biggest box-office draw. Advertisement Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar Before we talk about Fedor Emelianenko (twice), I just have to share my belief that he would have wiped the floor with Brock Lesnar and the other name he was long linked to. Still, that didn't mean the MMA world didn't badly want to see both bouts. When it came to Lesnar, he was the new shiny crossover star from the WWE that MMA fans couldn't quite believe was hanging onto the title for as long as he was — and how he was. By default, you could say Lesnar was the best heavyweight in the UFC, but anyone with a brain knew he wasn't the best heavyweight in the world. That was Emelianenko. Not only that, Emelianenko was the best fighter, period — or at least he was at the time this matchup really began to pick up traction. Nothing would have been more of an oddly legitimate spectacle than Emelianenko making his UFC debut to challenge Lesnar for the title. Advertisement Just typing that out feels so damn weird. But it was a possibility, and the UFC wanted it. They don't make win streaks like Fedor Emelianenko's every day. (Jon P. Kopaloff via Getty Images) Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture Talks of Emelianenko versus former two-division UFC champion Randy Couture also stirred around the time "The Last Emperor" was floating through the MMA ether in the post-PRIDE FC era. The Couture fight appeared to have more legs than the Lesnar showdown, pushing the two as closely together as to get their infamous staredown photoshoot. Couture wanted it badly enough to even get the courts involved as he battled against UFC in an effort to be freed from his contract. Advertisement Intrigue around the potential fight might not have been as widespread as it was for the Lesnar matchup, but the legacies of each man can't be denied. It would've been "Mr. UFC vs. Mr. PRIDE." Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson The trauma induced from covering Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson over the years was so intense that I actually forgot about it when initially putting this together. These men were scheduled to fight on five different occasions, folks. Hopefully, we never see anything like that again. At its height, there was no greater rivalry or fantasy fight within a single division than Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson. The delays only helped boost the hype, extending and testing each fighter's resolve as they tried to maintain their ranks in unrelated matchups. It was almost like there were two uncrowned champions at lightweight. Before Charles Oliveira fought Makhachev, Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson was the fight to have two divisional streaks of 10-plus wins collide. It just wasn't meant to be. Advertisement Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson was the master of dominance vs. the master of violence. Two unbelievably polarizing personalities in wildly different ways. Hindsight did a wicked number on the fight's potential, but when that saga was unfolding, the entire MMA world wanted nothing more. Thanks for nothing, Jon. (USA TODAY Sports / Reuters) So after all those legendary fantasy fights, where are we left now with Jones and Aspinall? Technically, it would have been champion vs. champion, but also in the same division. Final verdict: Somewhere in between Jones vs. Aspinall would've been as perfect of a test for either man at this stage in their careers as we could've asked for. First and foremost, at heavyweight in the UFC, it's these two, and then everyone else. But regarding the actual physical challenges they present one another with, it's exactly what great title tilts are made of — and somewhat of a rarity in this era. A reigning all-time great on one side, who happens to still be in a new-ish division and has yet to prove himself — and an ultra-talent on the other side, who's widely considered the division's present and future and is finishing everyone in record speeds. Advertisement The magnitude of Jones vs. Aspinall grew and grew until it couldn't grow anymore. MMA is a "what have you done for me lately" sport — and there was a whole lot of nothing that happened here. At least with Ngannou vs. Jones, we ripped that band-aid off relatively quickly. Silva vs. St-Pierre still checks off every single box better than the rest, and the lust for Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson was always unshakeable. 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2 hours ago

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Prince Harry and Meghan's Biggest U.S. Scandals

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Meghan re-created the curtsy she said she performed, bowing at the waist and spreading her arms wide in either direction. "I mean, Americans would understand this," she said. "We have Medieval Times Dinner & was like that." She had previously described the meeting to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 without mentioning any issues with her curtsy, and Harry went on to say it was "flawless" in his memoir, Spare. Many came away feeling the mock curtsy had disrespected a long-standing British tradition, and the fact that the queen had died three months earlier no doubt did not help. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, on February 9, 2025. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, on February 9, 2025. Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry Mocked Over Frostbite Harry's book, Spare, was released a month later and led to ridicule after he described in detail applying his mother's favorite Elizabeth Arden lip cream to his frost-bitten private parts. "My penis was oscillating between extremely sensitive and borderline traumatized," he wrote. "The last place I wanted to be was Frostnipistan. "I'd been trying some home remedies, including one recommended by a friend. She'd urged me to apply Elizabeth Arden cream. My mum used that on her lips. 'You want me to put that on my todger?' "'It works, Harry. Trust me.' I found a tube, and the minute I opened it, the smell transported me through time. I felt as if my mother was right there in the room. "Then I took a smidge and applied there. 'Weird' doesn't really do the feeling justice." Suffice it to say, the passage attracted the attention of quite a few late-night U.S. comedy shows. 'F****** Grifters' and the Collapse of Spotify Just months later, the Sussexes' Spotify deal collapsed, and just as their team was reassuring journalists the two had parted ways by mutual consent, up popped an executive at the streaming giant to derail the PR strategy. Bill Simmons used his own podcast to fire a parting shot at the couple: "I wish I had been involved in the Meghan and Harry leave Spotify negotiation. 'The F****** Grifters,' that's the podcast we should have launched with them. "I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry, trying to help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories." Meghan a 'Dictator in High Heels' Meghan had long been fending off allegations that she bullied staff at Kensington Palace as a working royal. The scandal migrated to America in September 2024 with an article from The Hollywood Reporter headlined: "Why Hollywood Keeps Quitting on Harry and Meghan." The article quoted a source who said the couple's U.S. staff were terrified of Meghan and that the royal belittled people. Another source said Meghan marched around "like a dictator in high heels," and has reduced grown men to tears. Meghan's team launched a PR counterattack in the pages of Us Weekly, where several past and present staffers praised her. She has consistently denied the allegations of bullying. Prince Harry's ESPY Award In 2024, Prince Harry was awarded the ESPY's Pat Tillman Award for Service, sparking a major backlash from sports fans. At its peak, Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, told The Mail on Sunday: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting." 'South Park' and the 'Worldwide Privacy Tour' Harry's memoir sparked a collapse in the couple's U.S. approval rating, and in the same way that a picture can tell a thousand words, an episode of South Park ridiculing the duke and duchess appeared to tell the story of a shift in American perceptions. The episode, titled "The Worldwide Privacy Tour," depicted the "Prince and Princess of Canada" campaigning for their privacy in the aftermath of the death of the "Queen of Canada." In one scene, the couple appears on a fictional Canadian morning show, holding "We Want Privacy" placards. The anchor asks the prince: "Let me start with you, sir. You lived a life with the royal family, you had everything handed to you but you say your life has been hard and now you've written all about it in your new book: Waaagh." The princess said: "I was totally like, 'You should write a book 'cause your family's, like, stupid and then so are, like, journalists." The interviewer says, "So you hate journalists? And now you wrote a book that reports on the lives of the royal family? So, you're a journalist." Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page. Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@ We'd love to hear from you.

Yahoo

4 hours ago

• Yahoo

10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea

If you're looking for a way to go out to sea, a cruise is a convenient way to visit multiple destinations with onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment. Cruises are floating resorts that sail to different ports of call, so passengers can have a range of diverse experiences. Check out our list of the 10 best cruises in Singapore to hold a major celebration at sea. The Disney Adventure is Disney Cruise Line's newest cruise ship, scheduled to start sailing from Singapore in Dec 2025. Disney Adventure is the first Disney ship to be based in Asia and will offer 3- and 4-night voyages, focusing on magical days at sea. The ship is designed with Disney, Pixar and Marvel theming, promising unique experiences for guests. The cruise ship will feature 7 zones: Disney Imagination Garden, Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Toy Story Place, Town Square and Wayfinder Bay. The San Fransokyo Street, inspired by the world of Big Hero 6, features a bustling city atmosphere with interactive games, a street market and a family arcade. The Marvel Landing area will have attractions and experiences inspired by The Marvel Super Heroes. Concierge Bedroom Oceanview Suite from S$19,538 (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 6228 3728 (Phone) Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm (Call Centre) Sat & Sun: 9am – 8pm (Call Centre) | | A 3-night cruise to Penang is available with Royal Caribbean on the Ovation of the Seas. The cruise departs from Singapore, spends a day in Penang and then returns to Singapore. This cruise includes a stop where passengers can explore the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site of George Town, visit temples such as the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple and see the beach at Batu Ferringhi. Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas offers a variety of activities, including the North Star observation capsule, iFly skydiving, bumper cars and numerous pools. This cruise includes complimentary food at various restaurants and access to entertainment and performances. Interior Room at S$359 Per Person (Departing Jan 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 8-night Bali Adventure Holiday Cruise on the Ovations of the Seas ship departs from Singapore with stops in Celukan Bawang (Bali), Benoa (Bali) and Lombok (Indonesia), before returning to town. The cruise has a varied mix of cultural experiences and activities. Ports of call include Celukan Bawang, a port town in northern Bali, known for its traditional industries and access to less-visited areas such as Lovina Beach and Banjar hot springs, Benoa, Bali's main port, offering access to beaches, the cities of Denpasar and Ubud and Lombok, Indonesia, an island reputed for its volcanoes, beaches and cultural attractions. The cruise features activities such as North Star (observation capsule), Bionic Bar (robot-crafted cocktails) and Live. Love. Legs. (aerial adventure). A range of dining options are available, including Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and a 5-course Chef's Table experience. Interior Room at S$1,659 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | A 12-night cruise exploring Vietnam and Thailand from either Singapore or Hong Kong, aboard the Celebrity Solstice, offers a mix of cultural experiences and relaxation. The cruise typically includes stops in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and scenic locations, with chances to explore the markets and temples and enjoy the beaches. Celebrity Solstice is one of their most decorated ships, with elegant designs everywhere you turn. Their passion for outstanding cuisine takes the onboard dining experience to a new level and the staterooms are sure to bring the comfort of your home, out to the ocean. The airy Main Restaurant, the Grand Epernay Restaurant, offers exquisite menu selections. These change nightly to give guests a wide variety of choices. And the service? Legendary. Veranda Stateroom at US$3,299 (S$4,241) Per Person (Departing Nov 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1 888 751 7804 Daily: 24 hours | | The 14 Nights Best of Japan and Taiwan cruise with Celebrity Cruises offers a journey through diverse cultures, stunning landscapes as well as modern metropolises. Passengers will explore Japan and its cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, and Taiwan, with potential stops in Hualien and Taipei. The Celebrity Millennium, known for its modern luxury and innovative spaces such as the Lawn and AquaSpa, is the ship for this itinerary. Visit iconic cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, experience ancient culture and enjoy modern amenities. Discover the unique blend of cultures in Taiwan, including Hualien, known for Taroko Gorge and Taipei with its vibrant night markets and natural mountain landscapes. Inside Stateroom at US$2,045 (S$2,629) Per Person (Departing Oct 2026) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 1-888-751-7804 Daily: 24 hours | | Sail with Royal Albatross on an epicurean odyssey with a trinity of top Singapore chefs The Genting Dream cruise ship, now operated by StarDream Cruises, provides onboard experiences, such as dining, entertainment and activities, with a focus on Asian hospitality. The Genting Dream offers cruises from Singapore, such as getaways and other itineraries with stops in Malaysia and Thailand, at cities or towns that include Penang and Port Klang. It features world-class theatre shows, parties, performances and classes, as well as an array of dining options, from international cuisine to speciality restaurants. The ship also boasts spa services, fitness centres and family-friendly amenities, such as children's clubs. Interior Stateroom (Value Fare, 2 Nights Weekend Getaway Cruise) (Departing 18 Jul) at S$918 at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 800 8528 188 Daily: 24 hours | | A 7-night Italy & Croatia cruise with Royal Caribbean is a cruise voyage that takes passengers on a week-long journey via Italy and Croatia, departing from Rome or Venice. These cruises include visits to various Italian and Croatian ports, including Naples/Capri, Sicily, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, with options to also explore Venice, Koper and other destinations. The cruises offer a mix of sightseeing, relaxation and onboard entertainment. Royal Caribbean offers a variety of dining options, including the Main Dining Room with rotating menus, speciality restaurants such as Izumi for sushi, Giovanni's Table for Italian cuisine and Chops Grille for steak. Guests can enjoy live shows, music and themed parties. Interior Stateroom from S$1,620 (Departing Sep 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 3157 2944 Daily: 24 hours | | The 19-Day Cruise Australia & Asia: Melbourne and Bali is a cruise experience aboard the Norwegian Spirit. It is a journey from here to Sydney, with stops in Melbourne and Bali. The cruise includes ports of call in Australia and Indonesia. You will get the opportunity to explore cities including Surabaya, Perth, Busselton, Albany, Adelaide and Kangaroo Island. It also features onboard entertainment and activities, including access to the Stardust Theatre. It is designed with a freestyle concept, offering flexibility in dining and activities. These activities include multiple dining options (Asian, Italian, French, steakhouses), entertainment, a casino, bars and lounges, a spa and kids' activities onboard the ship. Inside Stateroom from S$1,889 Per Person (Departing Dec 2025) at 61 Marina Coastal Drive, Marina Bay Cruise Centre, Singapore 018947 +65 31 651 680 Daily: 24 hours | | A 10-night 'Fly Cruise' to China, Japan and South Korea is a vacation package that combines air travel, a cruise and hotel stays to explore multiple cities and cultures in East Asia. It typically entails flying into a city in one of the countries. Thereafter, you will embark on a cruise that stops at ports in the other 2 countries and then fly out from a different city. The cruise will typically visit multiple ports. This will give you the chance to explore cities in countries such as China (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Tianjin), Japan (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Shimizu (Mt Fuji), Nagasaki, Kobe) and South Korea (Jeju Island, Busan, Incheon). A fly-cruise package simplifies travel planning by bundling flights, accommodation and transportation between destinations. In some cases, this can be more cost-effective than booking flights and accommodation separately, especially when considering convenience. Flight + Cruise + Transfer + Hotel from S$3,999 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | A 10-night Mediterranean cruise on the Celebrity Ascent involves sailing to various iconic European venues. These include Greece, Italy and Croatia, with a focus on experiencing the culture, history and natural beauty of the region. The Celebrity Ascent is an Edge-class ship that is designed to provide an 'outward-facing' experience, connecting guests with the sea. This 10-night cruise includes stops in Italy (e.g., Rome, Sicily, Naples), Greece (e.g., Olympia, Corfu) and Croatia (e.g., Dubrovnik, Split). Guests can expect a rich blend of cultural exploration, sightseeing and opportunities to relax and enjoy the ship's amenities. Celebrity Cruises is known for its sophisticated, upscale experience with a focus on design, service and innovative onboard areas. Celebrity Ascent boasts features such as The Grand Plaza, Rooftop Garden, an adults-only Solarium pool and dining and entertainment venues. Inside Stateroom from S$4,299 (Departing Oct 2025) at 601 MacPherson Road, Grantral Complex, #06-10, Singapore 368242 +65 6222 9222 / +65 8125 9162 Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed on Sun | | 11 yacht rental services in Singapore for an unforgettable outing The post 10 best cruises from Singapore for a fun-filled vacation at sea appeared first on