THE Holland America luxury liner MS Westerdam brought over 1,922 visitors to Puerto Princesa and Boracay, signaling a vibrant start to the 2026 Philippine cruise season.
The MS Westerdam docked at the Port of Puerto Princesa at 6:00 a.m. on Feb. 4, 2026. This arrival marked the vessel’s sixth visit to the city and the fifth cruise ship to call on the port this year.
The ship carried 1,922 passengers and 803 crew members, who were greeted by the Puerto Princesa City Band, Banwa Dance and Arts, and the Sta. Monica Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps.
The visit created immediate activity for the local transport and tour sectors. In Puerto Princesa, authorities deployed eight buses and 80 vans to transport guests to the Underground River, Honda Bay, and various city tour sites.
After a day in Palawan, the vessel traveled to Boracay Island, arriving on Feb. 5 as the first cruise ship to visit the island for the month.
In Boracay and Mainland Malay, the arrival provided a mid-week increase in foot traffic for local vendors and tour operators. These stops allowed international passengers to engage directly with local services and cultural performers, following a logistics plan coordinated by the Port Management Office.
The MS Westerdam is a HAL Vista-class vessel measuring 285 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 82,862. Built by Fincantieri in Italy and refurbished in 2023, the 22-year-old ship features 11 decks and 984 cabins. It is powered by Wartsila-Sulzer engines with a propulsion power of 35.24 MW, allowing for a cruising speed of 22 knots. The ship operates under the flag of the Netherlands and is owned by Carnival Corporation & PLC.
This Philippine leg is part of a 28-day one-way itinerary that began in Singapore on Jan. 18 and will end in Yokohama, Japan, on Feb. 15. The route included stops in Hong Kong before arriving in Puerto Princesa, Boracay, and Manila. The inclusion of three Philippine ports in a single voyage demonstrates the country’s current role in the Asian cruise circuit and the capacity of local ports to handle large-capacity vessels and simultaneous shore excursions.
The visit concluded with the ship’s departure for Taiwan and Japan after its final Philippine stop in Manila on Feb. 6. The successive dockings in Palawan and Boracay indicate a consistent schedule for the 2026 cruise season.