Philippine cruise arrivals exceeded 2019 level in 2025
Ports authority data show visitor arrivals rose above 226,000 as terminal improvements and regional cruise calls continued.
Philippine cruise visitor arrivals surpassed their reported pre-pandemic level in 2025, according to publicly available Philippine Ports Authority data. Arrivals increased from about 88,000 in 2023 to roughly 150,900 in 2024 and more than 226,000 in 2025, exceeding the country’s 2019 tally of just over 213,000.
The authority’s annual cruise-tourism reporting said Philippine ports handled 79 cruise ships in 2024. It also outlined improvements to dedicated terminals. Updates cited the 2024 completion of the Jubang Port Cruise Ship Terminal in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.
Information issued in early 2026 described an increase in turnaround operations at Manila South Harbor. Port operator materials said the Eva Macapagal Cruise Terminal at Pier 15 had served as a dedicated homeport for international ships before the pandemic, handling nearly 200,000 outbound passengers at its peak.
Regional activity has also expanded. Tourism briefings issued in January 2024 listed 37 scheduled cruise calls in Mimaropa, mostly for Puerto Princesa City, Coron, El Nido and the Balabac Islands. Reports from March 2024 said Oceania Cruises’ MS Insignia returned to Salomague Port with about 500 passengers after visiting in 2023.
Department of Tourism information said port upgrade efforts were being coordinated with the 2023–2028 National Tourism Development Plan, which identifies cruise tourism as an area for expansion.