2 Chinese cruise ships dock in Subic

MANILA, Philippines — Two cruise ships from China docked at the port of Subic Bay this week, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Luzon office.

Both Blue Dream Star cruise ships were from Xiamen and arrived on Oct. 15 and 16. Each carried around 1,000 Chinese passengers and 300 crewmembers.

The DOT said around 11 cruise ships will dock at Subic Freeport “after three years, expecting approximately 20,000 tourists visiting not only SBMA (Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority) but also the adjacent areas.”

It added that cruise tourism is a “product portfolio of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.”

So far this year, cruise ships have docked in Manila, parts of Palawan, Romblon and the Hundred Islands in Pangasinan, reported the DOT. It added that it expects 128 cruise calls at 33 destinations, which could carry more than 101,000 passengers and 50,000 crewmembers.

Previously, the World Cruise Awards named the Philippines as this year’s best cruise destination, a first for the country.