From Australia to Cambodia to the heart of Europe, these after-dark outings add an extra dose of magic to a luxury cruise vacation.

The Angkor Temple Gala Dinner organized by Scenic Cruises. — The Angkor Temple Gala Dinner is a highlight of Scenic Cruises’ Treasures of the Mekong Itinerary. (Courtesy of Scenic Cruises)

One of three events exclusive to Crystal’s 2027 World Cruise, Sydney’s Soul: A Night of Indigenous Culture includes after-hours access to the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. Here, guests can view a vast collection of works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, savor drinks at the rooftop Sculpture Terrace, and tuck into a three-course dinner at the art deco Foundation Hall.

An Evening Canal Cruise through Copenhagen is offered as part of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ nine-night Scandinavian Cityscapes voyage. The two-hour excursion takes in landmarks like Christiansborg Palace and the Royal Danish Opera House. A guide will narrate the life of Hans Christian Andersen as the boat passes the author’s onetime home in the Nyhavn district.

In Cambodia, the Angkor Temple Gala Dinner by Scenic Cruises is held at the 10th-century ruins of Prasat Kravan outside Siem Reap. Against the floodlit backdrop of the temple’s brick towers, guests enjoy a three-course Khmer meal and an Apsara dance performance. It’s a fitting end to the 13-day Treasures of the Mekong itinerary.

A must-do on Avalon Waterways’ Danube Dreams for Music Lovers cruise from Bavaria to Budapest, the Royal Waltz Concert takes place in select historic venues in Vienna. This excursion focuses on works by Mozart, Strauss, and other classical composers who left their mark on the city. The cruise line is also expanding its range of nighttime experiences via the Avalon After Dark program launching in 2026.

A view of Copenhagen’s Nyhavn canal after dark. (Photo: Martipaan/Unsplash)

This article originally appeared in the October/November 2025 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Nighttime Outings to Treasure”). Buy a single issue or subscribe here.

4 Insider Shore Excursions That Reveal the Destination by Night

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