Subic Bay Freeport – The MV Silver Dawn, a luxury cruise ship by Silversea Cruises, docked at this premier Freeport on Tuesday, heralding the arrival of around 1,000 tourists.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, Silversea Cruises is part of the prestigious Royal Caribbean Group and is an ultra-luxury and expedition travel brand headquartered in Monaco.

“This is a maiden visit of the MV Silver Dawn to the Port of Subic. We can expect that 596 passengers, as well as 411 crew members of the ship, will spend their New Year’s Eve here,” he said, adding that he hopes the people of Subic Bay Freeport will welcome them during their stay.

Port Operations Senior Deputy Administrator Ronnie R. Yambao said, “As the chairperson of the SBMA Cruise Ship Industry Committee, we are aiming to breach the pre-pandemic level of cruise ship arrivals in Subic Bay to reach 20 in 2025.”

He said that the confirmed arrival for next year includes the MV Blue Dream Star, adding that the ship will dock at this premier Freeport on three occasions, including 11 April, 3 May , and 8 July. He noted that the ship will bring 1,053 passengers on board.

“Next is the Viva Vie Odyssey on September 23. The ship will bring 924 passengers at double occupancy, along with 370 crew members,” he added.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has expressed her confidence in the cruise tourism industry of this premier Freeport.

During a meeting with the SBMA and other officials from the province of Zambales at the Subic Bay Yacht Club, Frasco said that Subic Bay’s cruise tourism can be expanded through homeporting and creating dedicated cruise port initiatives.

Frasco was in Subic Bay Freeport as part of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) Central Luzon leg.

The tourism chief added that Zambales can develop its accommodations via Mabuhay accommodations and homestays, integrating the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program with barangay tanods in Olongapo City to ensure tourist safety, and promoting dive tourism.