More Cruise Ships Are Making Stops in Manila, Palawan, and Boracay

The Philippines is gaining steam in the cruise industry, with an estimated 80,000 passengers expected to visit between 2024 and 2026, according to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT). This year, 153 port calls will be made by various cruise lines, with Manila being the most popular destination. Palawan is also making a strong showing, with Puerto Princesa and Coron attracting a significant number of ships.

Here's a breakdown of the passenger projections according to DOT's cruise schedule report as of May 3, 2024:

• 2024: 50,608 passengers
• Jan-June 2025: 23,963 passengers
• 2026: 3,000 passengers to Manila on one cruise ship

This growth is promising, considering the pre-pandemic numbers. In 2019, there were 102 cruise ship visits, while 2023 saw only 32 ships with 55,442 passengers.

The most popular destination for 2024 remains to be Manila, with 34 ships dropping anchor in the capital. Puerto Princesa ranks second with 13 ship calls, Coron with 10, and Boracay with eight. Puerto Princesa is the projected destination of choice in 2025 with 14 calls, followed by Boracay with 10, and Salomogue in Ilocos Sur with four.

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Challenges and Improvements in the Philippine Cruise Tourism

The Department of Tourism sees cruise tourism as a valuable niche market and is working on improvements. Cruise ships coming into the country range from small expedition ships with 140 passengers to large cruise ships with more than 3,000 guests.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), despite concerns about its disembarkation process in Manila, will continue to use Ben Line Agencies and Travel People Ltd. as its port handler and shore operator, respectively. The cruise line also reported growing interest among Southeast Asian travelers to cruise within Asia, with Japan as the most popular destination.

It was during NCL's previous sailing season when a Facebook post by one Nelson Terible went viral after he and his fellow passengers experienced "chaotic" disembarkation procedures while aboard Norwegian Jewel. He also specified the lack of space at the Port of Manila for their processing, the inadequate number of porters to handle their luggage, the disorderly fashion in processing their documents, and taxi drivers hassling foreign tourists with their unreasonable rates.

The incident resulted in the 30-day suspension of Ben Line and Travel People by the Philippine Ports Authority. Some issues, however, remain unresolved. This includes failure in responding to passenger complaints involving government personnel involved in the processing of the former’s documents and why only one gate was open for passengers’ exit, leading to crowding on the way out of the passenger terminal.

Despite the challenges, the cruise industry in the Philippines has a bright future. Cruise lines are increasing their presence in Asia, offering more itineraries with Filipino destinations. NCL, in particular, is offering 14 itineraries sailing from five ports, including Manila, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul, aboard the Norwegian Spirit, from September 2024 to April 2025.

"In addition, we’ve added five brand-new ports of call in Asia—including Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and Salomague in the Philippines, together with Hualien in Taiwan and Bintan in Indonesia. This is a testament to the rising number of travelers interested in exploring different destinations through cruising," said NCL Vice President and Managing Director Ben Angell in an earlier interview by e-mail.

"With its archipelagic nature, the Philippines offers many beautiful ports, and we relish the opportunity to showcase them to our guests," he said.