In a promising development for Bali’s cruise tourism industry, BUMN PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) Regional III has reported a significant increase in the number of cruise ship registrations at the Port of Benoa, Bali, scheduled for the year 2024. General Manager of Pelindo Regional III Benoa, AA Gede Agung Mataram, expressed his enthusiasm: to report that there has been a noticeable increase in interest in Bali as a cruise tourism market.
Comparing the data with the data from January to December 2023, which covered a total of 51 cruise ships, the coming year shows substantial growth: 68 cruise ships plan to dock in Bali. Even within the first ten months of 2023, the port of Benoa welcomed 31 cruise ships.
Further, all cruise ships that will dock in 2024 will have an average length of more than 294 meters. As part of this expansion, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line plans to include the Port of Benoa as a regular stop for its cruise ships sailing Southeast Asia itineraries originating from Singapore. This development marks a shift from infrequent visits to a more frequent presence, with ships making multiple stops in Singapore, Benoa and Celukan Bawang.
The Celebrity Solstice, a luxury cruise ship with a length of 317 meters, is expected to dock in the port of Benoa on October 30, 2023. If all goes according to plan, this ship, known for its grandeur and launched in 2008, will be the first to dock in the port of Benoa, Denpasar, Bali with a length of more than 300 meters. Ahead of the arrival of approximately 3,000 passengers, including the crew, the ship is scheduled for a two-day visit during which a variety of tourist activities will be organized.
In addition, the port of Benoa has a mooring that can accommodate two cruise ships at the same time, with a total length of 500 meters. This increase in cruise ship visits to Bali reflects the region’s growing popularity as a top destination for cruise tourists, further cementing its position on the global cruise tourism map.
