Benoa Welcomes 50,000 Cruise Tourists in Early 2025

TheIndonesia.co - State-owned enterprise PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo) Regional 3, Benoa Branch, Bali, recorded a significant influx of cruise ship tourists, with 50,000 international visitors arriving on the island between January and April 2025.

“With ongoing improvements and better port facilities, Benoa has become a preferred stop for major cruise lines,” said Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram, General Manager of Pelindo’s Benoa Branch, on Thursday in Denpasar, according to Antara News Agency.

In 2024, Benoa Port received 59 cruise ships, bringing over 103,000 foreign tourists to Bali. Looking ahead, demand continues to rise, with 72 cruise ship visits already scheduled for 2025. As of April, 36 ships had docked at Benoa, marking a strong start to the year.

Agung explained that Bali remains a top cruise destination due to its seamless blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and accessible tourism infrastructure. Within a 25–30 kilometer radius of the port and a typical shore time of about seven hours, tourists can explore a variety of attractions.

"That’s what sets Bali apart from other cruise destinations—so much can be experienced in a short window, and distances are manageable,” he added.

Excursions include visits to iconic temples like Tanah Lot, cultural hubs in Ubud and Gianyar, beach areas in Badung, and highland retreats such as Bedugul—all reachable in a single day.

To support the growing interest, Benoa Port has extended its pier to 500 meters, allowing up to three large cruise ships to dock simultaneously. This expansion enables the accommodation of some of the world’s largest vessels.

The most notable ship to visit Indonesia so far is the Anthem of the Seas, which docked at Benoa on February 28, 2025. The Bahamian-flagged ship measures 348 meters in length, weighs 167,800 gross tonnage, and carried 4,279 passengers along with 1,550 crew members.

Before the port upgrades, Benoa could only host vessels up to 260 meters in length, limiting the scale of visiting ships.

To attract even more global cruise operators, Pelindo has actively promoted Benoa Port at international events such as the SeaTrade Cruise Global expos held in Monaco and Miami, USA.

According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, cruise ship visitors are among the highest spenders in the tourism segment, with average spending per tourist estimated at up to USD 2,000 per visit.

Their expenditures typically include guided tour packages, local transportation, shopping for souvenirs, and culinary experiences such as traditional Balinese lunches.

However, cruise tourism remains a short-stay market, with most passengers spending just two days and one night on the island. Despite the brief visits, the economic impact is significant—especially for Bali’s local tourism businesses and service providers.