Palawan leads the charge as Mimaropa gears up for a year of cruise tourism

Mimaropa eyes 37 cruise calls for 2024 with Palawan leading the charge | Photo by adnorf/Pexels

True to its recent recognition in 2023 as Asia’s Best Cruise Destination by the World Cruise Awards, the Philippines, particularly Palawan, has already made headway this year by warmly welcoming the first cruise ship of 2024.

On Jan. 7 and 8, Puerto Princesa City and Coron hosted Nicko Cruises’ CMV Vasco da Gama-Nicko, with over 1,000 passengers and crew reveling in the “Last Ecological Frontier’s” natural beauty. 

This, however, marks just the beginning of an exciting trajectory.

Anticipating a surge in cruise tourism throughout 2024, the Mimaropa region, encompassing Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan, is gearing up for an influx of cruise passengers poised to provide a boost to local economies while showcasing the diverse beauty of the region.

Revealed on Jan. 8 by the Department of Tourism – Mimaropa, the cruise schedule for the year discloses that Palawan is slated to welcome 28 cruise calls across key locations such as Puerto Princesa City, Coron, El Nido, and Balabac Islands.

Further details from the tourism office underscore that Apo Reef Natural Park and Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro will host four scheduled cruise calls, Romblon will witness three, and Marinduque is set to welcome two.

For those unfamiliar with the term, a “cruise call” denotes a visit or stopover by a cruise ship at a specific port or destination. 

The tourism office estimates that over 40,000 passengers and crew will disembark in the region throughout the year, proving the growing significance of Mimaropa as a premier cruise destination in one of the world’s best cruise destinations.