Cruise Ships To Bring In Tourists

[Medic Mike]

MORE tourists are expected to visit the Philippines in the next two years via cruise ships, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 said on Friday.

Some 23 cruise lines are expected to make a port of call in the country next year, DOT assistant secretary and Market Development Group head Benito Bengzon Jr. said in a press statement.

The DOT said this is an increase from this year’s 17 cruise ships that visited various destinations in the Philippines including Malapascua Island, Cebu City and Bohol. The incoming 23 cruise lines are expected to bring in more than 23,000 tourists to more than 10 destinations in the country, including the province of Bohol.

Good news

MS Europa II, a cruise liner operated by Hapag-Lloyd, is scheduled to make a port call in Tagbilaran City in January and March next year.

DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo said this is a welcome news for the region that was badly-hit by an earthquake and super typhoon.

“It is heartening to know that in spite of the calamities we faced this year, tourists are still coming to visit our islands, most especially the province of Bohol,” said Montecillo.

She said that after the earthquake, Bohol tourism is struggling to find its pace as fears of aftershocks still reverberates. She said the arrival of MS Europa II in Bohol will help restore confidence in the province’s tourism.

“If this will materialize, it will help revive tourism in Bohol,” said Cenelyn Manguilimotan, president of Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu. She hopes the cruise ship will also visit other islands especially, those affected by typhoon like Bantayan, Camotes and Malapascua.

“This is wonderful news,” said tourism advocate Jonathan Jay Aldeguer, in a separate interview.

“We just need to make sure that infrastructure is ready and the accompanying tours and services are ready to welcome these guests. The cruise ship market is relatively new to us and has a different travel dynamics to what we are used to, so we need to study and tailor-make attractions and offerings for this market,” said Aldeguer, president and chief executive of The Islands Group.

Advisory

Cruise tourism is identified as one of the country’s strategic tourism products identified under the National Tourism Development Plan.

To make their arrivals in the Philippines more unique, fun and memorable, the DOT said it will extend welcome reception and farewell activities to every arriving cruise ships in the country.

Meanwhile, in a travel advisory issued over the weekend, DOT 7 announced that Clarin Bridge in Loay, Bohol is now open to all traffic. Abatan Bridge, on the other hand, is open to light vehicles. 

[Jake]

MORE tourists are expected to visit the Philippines in the next two years via cruise ships, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 said on Friday.

“If this will materialize, it will help revive tourism in Bohol,”.......“We just need to make sure that infrastructure is ready...... The cruise ship market

is relatively new to us and has a different travel dynamics to what we are used to......To make their arrivals in the Philippines more unique, fun

and memorable, the DOT said it will extend welcome reception and farewell activities to every arriving cruise ships in the country.

 

 

Hello Medic Mike,

 

I hate to rain on your parade but I'm in a foul mood right now.  Take a look at the highlighted comments above.  Most of the

piers are in sad state of repairs, infrastructure, safety protocols, pier services, etc, etc.  It will take millions of dollars, not to

mention time and effort to get those piers certified for deep draft cruise liners.  Can you imagine the underwater hazards

that need to be cleared up in harbor channels.  And the DOT is only talking about reception and farewell tents on the pier.

Give me a puckin' break........

 

The inspirational slogans and alleged improvements claimed by the DOT is like a pitcher full of warm spit.  Please tell

me if their flag ship international airport in Manila has improved your first impression upon arrival?  

 

Again, I'm sorry Mike -- Jake

[Medic Mike]

 

MORE tourists are expected to visit the Philippines in the next two years via cruise ships, the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 said on Friday.

“If this will materialize, it will help revive tourism in Bohol,”.......“We just need to make sure that infrastructure is ready...... The cruise ship market

is relatively new to us and has a different travel dynamics to what we are used to......To make their arrivals in the Philippines more unique, fun

and memorable, the DOT said it will extend welcome reception and farewell activities to every arriving cruise ships in the country.

 

 

Hello Medic Mike,

 

I hate to rain on your parade but I'm in a foul mood right now.  Take a look at the highlighted comments above.  Most of the

piers are in sad state of repairs, infrastructure, safety protocols, pier services, etc, etc.  It will take millions of dollars, not to

mention time and effort to get those piers certified for deep draft cruise liners.  Can you imagine the underwater hazards

that need to be cleared up in harbor channels.  And the DOT is only talking about reception and farewell tents on the pier.

Give me a puckin' break........

 

The inspirational slogans and alleged improvements claimed by the DOT is like a pitcher full of warm spit.  Please tell

me if their flag ship international airport in Manila has improved your first impression upon arrival?  

 

Again, I'm sorry Mike -- Jake

 

Always wondered if the Port of Cebu had enough depth for these cruise vessels to visit.

[JJReyes]

Our ship arrived in Vancouver after an Alaska cruise. There were three ships docking ahead of us and an additional four ships behind us, who were also waiting for their turn. Our wait was about 40 minutes.

 

We get at least five into Honolulu Harbor a week. Projecting 23 total arrivals a year does not give you bragging rights. The Philippine problem is not only deep harbor. It's the quality of the terminal building assuming the ships can dock.

[Steve & Myrlita]

The only way they might pull it off is to drop anchor a little ways off then shuttle passengers by smaller launchs.

[JJReyes]

The only way they might pull it off is to drop anchor a little ways off then shuttle passengers by smaller launchs.

 

Cruise lines sometimes anchor offshore and use their tenders (lifeboats) to ferry passengers. While they can hold 125 to 175 persons, both passengers and crew don't like them because of the inconvenience and delays. Nothing like being dock next to a terminal, provided it is clean and presentable. 

 

By the way, the one day docking fee could be $20,000 to $100,000 depending on the location and unionized labor agreements. 

[joeatmanila]

I work in the cruise industry as a senior officer the last 25 years. Yes cruise ships will come to Philippines among other SE Asian ports. Main reason, the huge market of China, Japan and believe it or not the upcoming market (meaning passengers on cruise ships who spend a good amount of money) of Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

The SE Asia as a region for a cruise ship is pretty similar to Caribbean. The traditional cruising thrieved, made and still making huge profits in this region.\

So the market is there, billions of chinese and all the rest. The routes offering convinient home ports with all the facilities of the traditional modern cruise terminals, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and more (no not manila!!! neither anywhere in philippines as a home port). The distances in between convinient ports with the current speeds of these vessels (they range 22-26kts/hour) are making it possible for overnight transits or one day at sea or so. So the cost of fuel (one of the major costs in a cruise lines) goes down. The ports they will take the guests will have very low port charges so the profit of the cruise line goes up. For as long as each port can provide tours for the guests, nothing that would leave you with mouth open, just a waterfall with a horseback ride, a trek with kayaks for 70 years old people and so. Yes cruise lines will come.

Philippines is lacking on organized tours with decent bus transportation etc but when the pinoys will see the money they will do the investment on basic infrastructure, they have the welcome personalities, add up some safety and they are done. Huge money for nothing!!!!

If anyone of you guys live in a place that the cruise ships will visit (other than manila) look after how you can get involved in this business, you only need your organizational skills and to apply the what a tourist would want from a tour operator, think the tours you took and you can make it too.

[Jake]

 

I work in the cruise industry as a senior officer the last 25 years. Yes cruise ships will come to Philippines among other SE Asian ports. Main reason, the huge market of China, Japan and believe it or not the upcoming market (meaning passengers on cruise ships who spend a good amount of money) of Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

The SE Asia as a region for a cruise ship is pretty similar to Caribbean. The traditional cruising thrieved, made and still making huge profits in this region.\

So the market is there, billions of chinese and all the rest. The routes offering convinient home ports with all the facilities of the traditional modern cruise terminals, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and more (no not manila!!! neither anywhere in philippines as a home port). The distances in between convinient ports with the current speeds of these vessels (they range 22-26kts/hour) are making it possible for overnight transits or one day at sea or so. So the cost of fuel (one of the major costs in a cruise lines) goes down. The ports they will take the guests will have very low port charges so the profit of the cruise line goes up. For as long as each port can provide tours for the guests, nothing that would leave you with mouth open, just a waterfall with a horseback ride, a trek with kayaks for 70 years old people and so. Yes cruise lines will come.

Philippines is lacking on organized tours with decent bus transportation etc but when the pinoys will see the money they will do the investment on basic infrastructure, they have the welcome personalities, add up some safety and they are done. Huge money for nothing!!!!

If anyone of you guys live in a place that the cruise ships will visit (other than manila) look after how you can get involved in this business, you only need your organizational skills and to apply the what a tourist would want from a tour operator, think the tours you took and you can make it too.

 

Triple LIKE Joe!

 

By the way, are you still underway?  My immediate thoughts would be going into the entertainment department as far as

future employment on a love boat.  I would be the manager of the greatest show on the new cruise ship PEF.  Of course

the theme would be sexual in nature.  Anything to get those senior citizens pumpin' and grinding with the main attraction

of Mike S gyrating on a greasy dance pole.  

 

You made an excellent point of rich Asians going to different ports within a relatively short radius of 1500 nautical miles.

Possibly a transit time of 2-3 days from home port of Singapore to Brunei or to South Vietnam.  Perhaps a two weeks

cruise all the way down to Brisbane where the Boss lives.  Dang, talk about a tourist attraction.....giving his displayed

avatar.....he, he.

 

I agree, I would avoid Manila and Cebu all together.  I would rather pull into General Santos in southern Mindanao, which

has deep harbor and modern port facilities.  And of course less merchant traffic like Cebu.  

 

One more thing.....I would need Medic Mike to tag along as my personal doctor to remove my bolitas before going home to

Mama.....he, he.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

They had a cruise ship coming to Boracay the week after our visit a few months a go.  I believe they said it was a Chinese ship.

 

I think the rich Asian idea is about right.  I have already said the Philippines is kind of the Mexico of Asia... If they can take them straight to the beaches and great sites it is a lot easier than flying in and busing for hours.