Subic Bay Freeport reached a new milestone in cruise tourism as it served as the turnaround hub for the MV Costa Serena on September 26, highlighting its growing role in the regional cruise industry.

According to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño, passenger processing for the turnaround was conducted at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center (SBECC).

From the Port of Busan in South Korea, 245 passengers disembarked, while about 2,700 new passengers boarded the ship for a six-day cruise covering Keelung, Taiwan, and Ishigaki, Japan, before concluding in Manila.

A “turnaround cruise” refers to an itinerary that begins and ends at the same port, enabling passenger and crew changes and ship servicing. This model strengthens Subic’s position as a key gateway for cruise tourism in the region.