The Italian-operated cruise ship Costa Serena arrives at the Subic Bay Freeport this morning, October 25, 2026, carrying 1,851 passengers and 1,072 crew members, or nearly 3,000 people, marking its return to Subic Bay after its last visit in 2025. (Karen Caroll Love Montealegre)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The return of Italian-operated cruise ship Costa Serena to Subic Bay on Sunday, October 25, brought nearly 3,000 passengers and crew members to the Freeport, generating potential business for local tourism operators and enterprises across Central Luzon.
The vessel arrived at 7:30 a.m. carrying 1,851 passengers and 1,072 crew members, according to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Atty. Martin Kristoffer Roman.
Its return marked the cruise ship’s first visit to Subic Bay since 2025, reinforcing the Freeport’s position as a destination for international cruise tourism.
Performers from Olongapo City National High School welcome tourists disembarking from the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena at Boton Pier in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone on Sunday, October 25. (Karen Caroll Love Montealegre)
During its scheduled port call until 5 p.m., passengers were offered shore excursions to cultural landmarks, nature attractions and tourism facilities in Subic and neighboring provinces.
The tour options included the Pampanga Heritage Tour, a visit to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar for its showcase of Philippine architectural heritage, and “All of Subic: One City, Two Sides,” which featured the area’s attractions and history.
Other excursions covered the Pamulaklakin forest and Aeta cultural experience, Ocean Adventure’s marine attractions and Zoobic Safari. A separate safari tour was also listed for crew members.
The cruise ship arrived from Hong Kong, China, where it departed on October 23. Its itinerary included subsequent stops in Boracay on October 26 and Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on October 27, before proceeding to Benoa, Bali, Indonesia, on October 30.
The arrival presents opportunities for tourism-related businesses, including tour operators, transportation providers, restaurants and other establishments serving cruise passengers and crew.
The shore excursions also provide a platform to promote Central Luzon’s cultural heritage, natural attractions and tourism products to international visitors.
Subic Bay’s cruise tourism activity forms part of the Freeport’s broader potential to attract foreign visitors and support local economic activity through tourism spending.
The return of Costa Serena highlights the importance of cruise ship calls in expanding Subic Bay’s tourism market and strengthening its links with regional cruise itineraries.