Subic reboots cruise tourism with Royal Caribbean arrival

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The anticipated arrival of the GTS Serenade of the Seas, a cruise liner from Royal Caribbean International boasting 12 decks, is seen as a pivotal moment for reviving the cruise tourism program in Subic. This initiative had been gaining traction prior to its interruption by the COVID-19 pandemic three years ago. Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, the Chairman and Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), announced that, in an effort to rejuvenate this program, seven additional cruise ships have been scheduled to visit within the year.

Before assuming his role at the SBMA in January, Aliño had a background in the maritime sector. He has emphasized that cruise tourism remains a key industry for development and sustenance within Subic to foster job creation and economic opportunities in and around the free port zone. He pointed out that Subic Bay’s deep harbor and the unique shore experiences it offers make it an ideal destination for cruise ships.

The Serenade of the Seas recently made its inaugural visit to Subic, arriving with 1,371 guests and 819 crew members. SBMA’s Senior Deputy Administrator for Operations, Ronnie Yambao, highlighted the array of attractions in Subic that are popular among cruise passengers. These include beach resorts, theme parks such as Ocean Adventure, jungle survival demonstrations by Ayta natives, and excursions to nearby locations like the Las Casas de Acuzar heritage resort in Bataan.

Yambao reminisced about the successful launch of a cruise ship program by the SBMA in 2018, which saw two years of growth in the industry before it was abruptly halted in March 2020 due to the pandemic. He noted that last year, the MV Blue Dream Star, operated by Blue Dream Cruises China, made six visits over two months, bringing a total of 3,927 tourists to the area.

Further, Yambao shared that, in addition to the Serenade of the Seas, six more cruise ship arrivals have been scheduled for this year by the SBMA. These include the MV Mediterranea on April 16; MV Resorts World One on May 8, June 5, July 31, August 28, and September 25; and the MV Costa Serena on November 13.

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