The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship completed the Philippine leg of its world voyage in Cebu on Sunday, underscoring the resilience of Cebuanos following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province last week.
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the welcome ceremony at the Cebu International Port, calling the ship’s arrival “a symbol of hope” for the province as it recovers from the recent disaster.
“It’s been a very difficult past few days for our fellow Cebuanos who have experienced the devastation of the earthquake. For this vessel that has sailed to 147 countries to come to Cebu today is very meaningful, for it shows that there is hope,” Frasco said.
The Florida-based Villa Vie Residences operates the 924-passenger vessel, which is on a three-and-a-half-year world voyage that began in September 2024 and will conclude in August 2028.
Formerly known as the Braemar, the ship promotes a “global residency at sea” concept, allowing travelers to own or lease cabins and join voyage segments lasting 35 to 120 days.
The cruise ship made its Philippine debut at Subic Bay on Sept. 23, followed by stops in Manila, Boracay and Puerto Princesa, before concluding its visit in Cebu. It is set to return in May 2026, reinforcing the country’s growing position on the global cruise tourism map.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) expects 140 cruise calls in 2025, generating about 47,295 foreign arrivals across ports, including Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, and Cebu, as well as emerging sites such as Samar Island, Kalanggaman and Bucas Grande.
To attract more cruise visitors, the DOT launched the Cruise Visa Waiver (CVW) Program in July 2024 in partnership with the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Justice, and private sector stakeholders.
The Philippines’ growing cruise industry has gained international recognition, winning “Asia’s Best Cruise Destination 2023” from the World Cruise Awards and “Best Port of Call 2024” at the Asia Cruise Awards in South Korea.
Frasco said the DOT is pursuing continued collaboration with international partners and local governments to make the country a central cruise hub in Asia.
The country also hosted Seatrade Cruise Asia in November 2024, gathering over 40 cruise industry leaders and buyers to support the Philippines’ goal of becoming the region’s cruise gateway.
