BADUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Benoa Port is set to receive 61 international cruise ship calls throughout 2026, with an estimated 55,000 to 65,000 passengers expected to arrive in Bali, according to port authorities.
Of the total scheduled calls, around 19 vessels are classified as large cruise ships with high passenger capacity, each carrying an average of approximately 3,000 passengers. The presence of these larger vessels is expected to significantly influence overall passenger numbers for the year.
General Manager of PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero) Cabang Benoa, Anak Agung Gde Agung Mataram, said the passenger estimate reflects the growing dominance of large cruise ships in the 2026 schedule.
“We estimate around 55,000 to 65,000 passengers. This figure is strongly influenced by the number of large cruise ships scheduled to dock. There are 19 large vessels with average capacities of more than 3,000 passengers, many of whom fall into the quality tourism segment,” Agung Mataram said on Friday, January 2.
He noted that the planned cruise ship arrivals indicate continued recovery and growth in Bali’s maritime tourism sector, while also strengthening Benoa Port’s role as both a home port and port of call for cruise ships in eastern Indonesia.
“Based on the 2026 cruise schedule, Benoa Port will serve 61 ship calls of various sizes and segments, ranging from expedition vessels to world-class cruise ships. This reflects strong confidence from international cruise operators in Benoa Port’s readiness,” he said.
According to port management, cruise ship arrivals will be spread throughout the year, with peak activity expected during January–March and October–December 2026. Several large cruise ships scheduled to dock include Queen Anne, Royal Princess, Genting Dream, Celebrity Solstice, Ovation of the Seas, and Costa Serena, with some vessels exceeding 150,000 gross tonnage.
Agung Mataram added that Benoa Port now plays a broader role beyond ship berthing, including handling turn-around operations where large numbers of passengers embark and disembark simultaneously.
“Turn-around activities create a significant multiplier effect, not only for the port but also for tourism-related sectors such as transportation, hotels, MSMEs, and the wider Balinese economy,” he said.
Authorities expect the steady flow of cruise ships in 2026 to further reinforce Bali’s position as a key maritime tourism destination in the region.