26 FEBRUARY 2024, MANILA — Two International cruise ships docked simultaneously today, February 26, 2024, at Pier 15 Manila South Harbor, welcoming around 4,000 foreign tourists to explore the enchanting destinations the Philippine Islands has to offer.
MV Westerdam of Holland America returns to the Philippines for the second time this year, while the MV Norwegian Jewel of Norwegian Cruise Line also makes a smooth return after the controversial suspension of its shipping agent late last year.
MV Westerdam arrived in Manila from Taiwan, while the MV Norwegian Jewel made its port of call at the Port of Princesa earlier on February 24.
Norwegian Jewel carried 2,376 passengers and Westerdam, on the other hand, had 1,970 passengers. In preparation for the organized and smooth arrival of the two international cruise ships, pre-arrival meetings on February 20 and a walkthrough on February 23, led by the Philippine Ports Authority Port Management Office (PPA-PMO) of NCR South, were conducted.
PPA Port Police were stationed to ensure the safety and security of passengers at the pier. Additionally, fifty (50) buses were available at the pier for tourists planning to explore Manila and Tagaytay. The traffic flow plan prepared by the PMO was implemented with separate lanes for bus tour passengers and those opting for a Do-It-Yourself Tour.
A short Plaque Exchange program took place, involving the exchange of plaques between the Captain of MV NORWEGIAN JEWEL and representatives from PPA, DOT-NCR, and ATI.
The two ships will remain at Manila South Harbor for the entire day before Norwegian Jewel sails towards the Port of Currimao, and Westerdam sets course for Boracay.
It can be recalled that the Norwegian Jewel was the controversial ship in November of last year that was involved in the "Cruise Chaos" viral video after its ship agent, Ben Line Agencies Inc., received a 30-day suspension by the PPA after the complaints of the passengers regarding the traffic and lack of vehicle services which caused confusion and irritation of passengers.
"Patunay po ito na kapag may disiplina at kapag sumusunod sa mga napag-usapan sa mga pre-arrival meetings ang lahat ng sektor na kabilang sa cruise ship, hindi po nagkakaroon ng problema o anumang aberya. Makikita niyo naman po hindi lang ito ang unang pagkakataon na nahandle ng PPA ang magkakasabay na cruise ship ng maayos, we always try to make sure na seamless ang pagdaong ng mga cruise ship sakay ang mga bisita natin mula sa ibat-ibang bansa" according to PPA GM Jay Santiago.
In 2023, 164 cruise ships with over 80,000 passengers from various shipping companies such as Norweigan Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Silverseas, Windstar Cruises, and AIDA visited the Philippines, recognized as the 'Best Cruise Destination in Asia' by the World Cruise Award.
This year 2024, more or less 132 cruise ships are expected to visit the ports of the Philippine islands with more or less 100,000 passengers on board.
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