Costa Atlantica returns to Subic

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines —The Italian-flagged cruise ship MV Costa Atlantica returned to Subic yesterday, the second in a series of trips here until August. 

The 85,619-ton, 292.56-meter cruise ship docked at Alava Pier, to bring its 2,500 passengers and crew to a one-day tour of the freeport and neighboring communities.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said the return of Costa Atlantica proves the capability of the SBMA to handle cruise ships and the vibrancy of local tourism.

“We have been dreaming of becoming the next cruise ship playground in Asia and we can see that the dream is being realized right now,” Eisma said.

Cruise ship passengers were taken to various tourist destinations in the freeport, including the Ayta indigenous park in Pamulaklakin, Ocean Adventure and Zoobic Safari.

SBMA cruise ship committee chairman Marcelino Sanqui said businesses inside and around this freeport profit from the arrival of cruise ships. 

“It is not our business to make profit from what we do. Our mandate is to give business to our stakeholders,” Sanqui said. 

He said SBMA is “helping our stakeholders to earn, and at the same time, we promote Subic as a new major destination for international cruise ships.” 

The other cruise ships that confirmed their arrival are the MV Superstar Gemini on March 13 and 21 and MV Glory of the Sea on March 31.

Two cruise ships operated by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – MS Ovation of the Seas will arrive on June 9 and MS Voyager of the Seas on Aug. 26.