Manila Plans $87 Million Cruise Terminal Near Entertainment City

KEY TAKEAWAYS

·The Philippine Ports Authority is negotiating a 25-year lease for a P5 billion cruise terminal in Manila's Entertainment City, with construction targeted to start before year-end.
·The facility would handle four vessels simultaneously and sit ten minutes from the international airport, adjacent to major integrated resorts.
·Cruise visitor arrivals to the Philippines jumped 50 percent to 226,247 in 2025, building on awards as Asia's Best Cruise Destination in 2023 and Best Port of Call in 2024.

A Strategic Location for Regional Cruise Traffic

The Philippine Ports Authority is advancing plans for a P5 billion cruise terminal at the southern end of Aseana Avenue in Entertainment City, with construction targeted to begin before 2027. The facility would sit ten minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and adjacent to major integrated resorts including Solaire, City of Dreams Manila, and Okada Manila.

PPA general manager Jay Santiago confirmed ongoing negotiations with the Philippine Reclamation Authority for a 25-year lease, renewable for an additional quarter-century. The arrangement combines usufruct and commercial lease structures, with both agencies working to finalize terms within the next four months.

The proposed terminal would accommodate up to four cruise vessels concurrently, supported by a one-kilometer-wide navigational channel extending fifteen kilometers offshore. The Philippine Reclamation Authority is expected to restrict future reclamation projects in the area to preserve safe navigation corridors for large cruise ships.

Building on Recent Tourism Momentum

The Philippines has recorded measurable gains in cruise tourism over the past two years. Visitor arrivals from cruise travel reached 226,247 in 2025, a 50 percent increase from 150,903 the previous year, according to PPA data. The country won recognition as Asia's Best Cruise Destination in 2023 and Best Port of Call in 2024.

So far this year, the Philippines has received calls from Adora Cruises, Astro Ocean Cruises, Crystal Cruises, and MSC Cruises. Current cruise passengers disembark at Pier 15 in Manila, a facility shared with Philippine Coast Guard assets.

The new terminal draws design inspiration from Hong Kong's Ocean Terminal, incorporating retail, dining, and hospitality spaces within the port complex. The intent is to create a home port rather than merely a port of call, allowing travelers to begin and end multi-day itineraries in Manila rather than treating the city as a stopover.

Infrastructure Expansion Across the Archipelago

Beyond Manila, the PPA operates cruise-capable ports in Currimao (Ilocos Norte), Salomague (Ilocos Sur), Coron, and Puerto Princesa. Three additional terminals are under development: Alegria in Aklan, Catagbacan in Bohol, and Balbagon in Camiguin.

In March, the Department of Tourism convened its first high-level meeting dedicated to cruise travel, outlining infrastructure priorities and exploring visa waiver programs to reduce friction for short-term cruise visitors.

The Entertainment City location offers logistical advantages for international passengers. The terminal would be surrounded by hotel inventory originally built for Philippine offshore gaming operators, providing accommodation capacity within walking distance. Proximity to the airport reduces transfer time for fly-cruise itineraries, a key consideration for operators planning Southeast Asian routes.

Competitive Positioning in Southeast Asia

The project positions Manila to compete with established regional cruise hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Southeast Asia's cruise market has rebounded unevenly since pandemic restrictions lifted, with Chinese operators expanding capacity while Western lines redeploy ships based on demand patterns.

The fifteen-kilometer navigation channel and four-berth capacity suggest the facility is sized for mid-to-large vessels, including ships in the 100,000-gross-ton range that dominate Asian itineraries. Whether the terminal can attract year-round homeporting remains contingent on airlift capacity, regulatory environment, and onshore tour product development.

The PPA has not disclosed a construction timeline beyond the target groundbreaking before year-end. Lease finalization, environmental clearances, and procurement processes will determine whether the 2027 timeline holds. The agency is proceeding without a named development partner, suggesting it may self-finance or pursue public-private arrangements after securing land rights.

Asia's overnight moves, distilled into a five-minute read.

A Strategic Location for Regional Cruise Traffic

Building on Recent Tourism Momentum

Infrastructure Expansion Across the Archipelago

Competitive Positioning in Southeast Asia

Manila's New Bulacan Airport Faces Construction Delays Over Sand Supply

Philippine Economy Stalls as Investment Collapse Drags Growth to Pandemic Lows

Philippine Economy Slows to 2.3% Growth in Second Quarter

Philippines Central Bank Fielded 120,000 Customer Disputes in 2025