A ship from Aida Cruises of Germany called on the Port of Coron in Palawan in December. Photo credit: Philippine Information Agency.
The Philippines is allowing passengers of cruise ships to stay in the country for up to 14 days without a visa.
The Bureau of Immigration, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), launched the Cruise Visa Waiver program this month.
“The Cruise Visa Waiver is a significant step in revitalizing our tourism industry after the pandemic,” said Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco. “It ensures that cruise tourists can easily visit and enjoy our beautiful country.”
The program is expected to attract more tourists to the country by simplifying the visa process for those arriving on cruise ships. Visa-required foreigners must apply for the waiver at the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) e-services portal at https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph. The waiver is only for single-entry use of tourists. It is non-convertible to other types of visa and non-extendable. It requires the cruise passenger to arrive and depart on the same ship. Those who avail of the visa waiver cannot deviate from the cruise itinerary.
A rising cruise destination
The Philippines was named Asia’s Best Cruise Destination at the World Cruise Awards in Dubai in 2023. The country was also recognized as Asia’s Best Ports of Call for 2024 at the 19th Asia Cruise Awards in Jeju, Republic of Korea this month.
In 2023, the Philippines welcomed 123 cruise calls, which brought in more than 100,000 passengers. These included cruise ships from the Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Silverseas, Windstar Cruises, AIDA Cruises, and the ultra-luxury Seabourn Encore.
With the Cruise Visa Waiver program in place, the country is projected to receive 117 cruise calls with an estimated 118,000 passengers in 2024. This increase is expected to significantly contribute to the post-pandemic recovery and growth of the tourism industry.
““Under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028 approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Department of Tourism has identified Cruise Tourism as one of the strategic products capable of attracting large regional markets,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco. “With 7,641 islands, there is immense potential in further expanding the cruise tourism portfolio in the Philippines, and that is why the effort is to collaborate with our partners from the national and local government units, private sector stakeholders, and destinations to expand our cruise tourism offerings, and to work with our counterpart national government agencies in liberalizing policies, with the ultimate goal of making it easier and more convenient for more cruises to call on the country.”
Passengers of a luxury cruise ship that visited Romblon and Palawan in Mimaropa region in 2023. Photo credit: Philippine Information Agency.
Top ports of call
The Mimaropa region, which comprises the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, is a popular cruise destination in the country. It is known for its pristine beaches, diverse marine life, and cultural attractions.
A report by the Philippine Information Agency said 37 cruise ships with 40,000 passengers and crew members are expected to visit the region this year. Majority or 28 cruise calls will be in Puerto Princesa City, Coron, El Nido, and Balabac Islands in the province of Palawan.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Ports Authority said it will develop more cruise terminals in Palawan and in four more destinations: Siargao in Surigao del Norte, Camiguin, Boracay in Aklan, and Puerto Galera in Mindoro. The renovation of the Port of Coron in Palawan was completed last year. Its passenger terminal can now accommodate up to 900 people. The other cruise terminals in the country are in the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol, and El Nido in Palawan.