Asia's 'best cruise destination' waives cruise tourist visas

By Hoang Phong July 20, 2024 | 04:43 pm PT

A beach in holiday island Boracay in the Philippines, April 25, 2018. Photo by Reuters

The Philippines, which was named Asia's best cruise destination last year, has launched a special visa waiver program, making it easier for cruise tourists to enter and travel the country.

"The cruise visa waiver program supports our goal of positioning the Philippines as the cruise hub of Asia," said Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Norman Tansingco, according to local news website Philstar.

The Philippines won its title as Asia's Best Cruise Destination at the World Cruise Awards last year. It is largely considered the most prestigious prize in the global cruise tourism industry.

Under the new visa waiver program launched July 16, eligible cruise tourists are allowed to enter the Philippines and stay for a maximum of 14 days without a visa, according to the Inquirer news site.

They must arrive and depart via cruise ship, be handled by a BI-accredited cruise tour operator, and hold a passport valid for at least six months from their arrival date.

The visa waiver program is non-extendible and non-convertible to other types of visas or status. It is also only available to tourists who have no intention of deviating from their original itinerary upon application.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed 123 port calls, bringing in over 101,000 passengers.