BULELENG, DEWATA.NEWS – Celukan Bawang Port successfully handled four international cruise ship calls between January 13 and 18, 2026, marking a busy week for northern Bali’s growing cruise tourism gateway. Among the arrivals was MV Sirena, which made its first-ever visit to the port.
The series of cruise calls began with MV Celebrity Millennium on January 13, followed by MV Regatta on January 14. MV Celebrity Millennium returned for a second visit on January 17, before the schedule concluded with MV Sirena docking on January 18.
All four cruise ships operated on fixed and time-limited port calls, with Celukan Bawang serving as a designated stop along their international cruise routes. In total, the visits brought 5,618 passengers and 2,741 crew members to northern Bali.
The inaugural call by MV Sirena was highlighted as a significant milestone for the port, reflecting growing confidence among international cruise operators in Celukan Bawang as a viable tourism port of call in Bali.
The arrival of thousands of international visitors provided direct benefits to the local tourism economy, including accommodation providers, transportation services, retail businesses, and tour operators.
Restaurants and tourism-related service providers around the port area also reported positive impacts. Authorities noted that increasing cruise traffic creates opportunities for further infrastructure development and service quality improvements in the port area.
General Manager of Pelabuhan Celukan Bawang, Mochammad Imron, said the four cruise visits within a single week demonstrated the port’s readiness to support international cruise operations, in line with Pelindo’s commitment to improving port services nationwide.
“The first visit of MV Sirena, captained by Kostadinov Atanas Georgiev, was an important moment for Celukan Bawang Port. On that occasion, we also presented a commemorative gift onboard the vessel as a gesture of appreciation and to strengthen relations between Pelindo and cruise operators,” Imron said.
Captain Kostadinov Atanas Georgiev expressed his appreciation for the port following the visit. “Celukan Bawang is one of the ports with the most beautiful scenery and clearest waters we have ever visited. We hope this first call will not be the last, and we look forward to returning in the future,” he said.
Pelindo confirmed that all cruise operations during the week ran safely and smoothly through coordination with relevant stakeholders. The successful handling of four cruise ship visits further strengthens Celukan Bawang’s role as a developing tourism entry point in northern Bali, contributing to the local economy and reinforcing Bali’s image as a global travel destination.