ASIATODAY.ID, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM – Brunei Darussalam is rapidly carving out a new position on Southeast Asia’s tourism map. Once seen largely as a brief stopover, the Sultanate is now emerging as a key destination for international cruise tourism.
The shift was underscored in mid-December 2025, when two major international cruise liners arrived back-to-back at the Muara Cruise Ship Centre, delivering more than 4,600 passengers and nearly 2,000 crew members—one of the largest combined cruise movements in Brunei’s history.
On 13 December 2025, Norwegian Sun made its maiden call to Brunei, carrying approximately 1,902 passengers and 910 crew members. This was followed a day later by the return of Costa Serena on 14 December, with around 2,741 passengers and 1,042 crew, highlighting Brunei’s growing appeal among global cruise operators.
Passengers were welcomed with traditional Hadrah performances and cultural showcases, setting a festive tone that reflected Brunei’s hospitality and rich cultural heritage from the moment visitors disembarked.
Inside the terminal, guests explored displays of locally made handicrafts, woven products, traditional textiles and Bruneian delicacies, creating direct engagement opportunities for local artisans, small businesses and international visitors alike.
Beyond the port, passengers joined curated shore excursions to Brunei’s key attractions, including Kampong Ayer, the Royal Regalia Museum, Istana Nurul Iman, and scenic river cruises.
Many also took part in mangrove and river eco-tours, where they observed the Sultanate’s biodiversity—such as sightings of proboscis monkeys—while learning about Brunei’s environmental conservation efforts.
Visitor feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Denise Smith, a first-time visitor from New York City, described Brunei as “very clean, very quiet and very rich,” adding that she felt safe throughout her stay and would “definitely come again.”
Another first-time visitor, Leonard Sasin from California, who travelled with his wife Ruth, said they “loved it” and highly recommended Brunei after enjoying a customised tour of the Sultan’s Palace, museums and mosques, followed by lunch at The Empire Brunei.
He also expressed interest in returning to experience the country’s golf offerings, reflecting Brunei’s appeal to a diverse range of cruise travellers.
The maiden arrival of Norwegian Sun and the return visit of Costa Serena further reinforce Brunei Darussalam’s reputation as an emerging cruise destination in Southeast Asia.
Earlier in November, the Sultanate also welcomed the second visit of Blue Dream Melody, carrying 1,154 passengers and 346 crew members.
With 14 cruise ship arrivals recorded in 2025, Brunei is set to conclude the year’s cruise calendar with the arrival of Coral Geographer on 28 December 2025—a strong signal that the country is no longer just a transit point, but a rising cruise tourism hotspot in Asia. (AT Network)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel