REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR - PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III, a state-owned harbor regulator, has stated that five cruise ships have stopped by in Benoa Harbour, Bali, so far this month. "Those ships brought thousands of tourists to Bali. The latest one was Costa Neo Romantica Cruise, which stopped by here on Wednesday (January 23)," PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III Benoa Harbour general manager Iwan Sabatini said on Thursday.
"About 800 tourists aboard the Costa Neo Romantica Cruise, travelling from Australia to Singapore, stopped by at Bali," he continued. "During their one-night stay in Bali, they visited some popular tourist spots, such as Kuta Beach. They also also enjoyed a Kecak Dance performance before moving on to Singapore."
Several days before the arrival of Costa Neo Romantica, he said, the Azamara Journey Cruise brought 350 foreign tourists to Bali. "They visited Buleleng, Bali and Komodo Island in East Nusa Tenggara," Sabatini added.
Assuming that at least half of Europe will be in the grip of cold weather until March, PT Pelabuhan Indonesia III stated that cruise ships would continue to visit Benoa Harbour as European tourists plan holidays in tropical areas such as Bali. "In February alone, we are expecting seven cruise ships that have confirmed their arrival in Benoa," Sabatini said.