DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – A Dutch-flagged cruise ship, MS Volendam, docked at Benoa Port in Denpasar on Friday (March 20, 2026), marking the resumption of international cruise activity shortly after the port reopened following Nyepi Day.
The vessel arrived at 07:00 WITA, approximately one hour after port operations officially resumed following a 24-hour shutdown during Bali’s Day of Silence. The reopening allows maritime services to continue while maintaining coordination with local cultural observances.
MS Volendam, measuring 237 meters in length, is carrying 975 passengers and 617 crew members. The ship is traveling on a regional route from Australia to Singapore, with Bali as one of its scheduled stops.
Prior to arriving in Bali, the cruise ship made a stop at Komodo Island. It is scheduled to remain docked at Benoa Port for one night before departing for Singapore on Saturday (March 21) at 17:00 WITA.
General Manager of Benoa Port, Anak Agung Gde Agung Mataram, stated that operational adjustments had been carefully planned to ensure smooth port activities both before and after Nyepi.
“Pelindo ensures that port operations can return to optimal levels after Nyepi, while continuing to support passenger mobility and tourism activities,” he said.
The arrival of MS Volendam highlights Benoa Port’s role as one of Bali’s main entry points for international cruise tourism. Cruise schedules are coordinated to align with Nyepi restrictions, ensuring that visits do not interfere with local traditions.
In addition to cruise operations, Benoa Port is also handling increased passenger traffic related to the Eid al-Fitr 2026 travel period. State-owned operator Pelni is currently deploying three vessels KM Awu, KM Tilongkabila, and KM Binaiya to serve routes to several destinations in Nusa Tenggara.
Preliminary projections for the Lebaran transport period between March 7 and April 7, 2026, estimate that Benoa Port will serve around 4,480 passengers across eight ship calls. This figure is lower compared to the same period in 2025, which recorded 7,424 passengers.
For international travelers, the coordinated reopening and cruise arrivals indicate that Bali’s maritime tourism and transport services continue to operate with adjustments that respect local religious observances while maintaining connectivity.