The MV Mediterranea made its inaugural visit to Brunei yesterday, arriving from Kota Kinabalu with 2,531 passengers and 739 crew members.
This marks the ninth international cruise ship to call at the Sultanate in 2024 and the first from China to bring a significant number of Chinese tourists to Brunei in recent years.
During its stopover, passengers had the opportunity to explore Brunei’s iconic attractions before continuing their voyage to Singapore.
According to the Tourism Development Department, the arrival was welcomed with a traditional hadrah performance.
Passengers embarked on guided tours to key landmarks including the Royal Regalia Museum, Istana Nurul Iman, Jerudong Park and Kampong Ayer, as well as a mangrove river safari.
They also sampled local delicacies, traditional beverages and purchased authentic Bruneian souvenirs.
Crew member from China aboard the cruise ship Wang Pan shared his anticipation of exploring Brunei’s attractions and experiencing the local culture firsthand. Meanwhile, Tang Yao Guang, a passenger from Guangzhou, China, recounted his first visit to Brunei, highlighting the opportunity to explore several attractions during the tour. He expressed his desire to return to the Sultanate in the future.
Another passenger, Ji Xiao from China, shared his delight in visiting key attractions describing his experience as enjoyable and memorable.
One of the passengers from Hainan, shared his experience of visiting Brunei’s iconic mosque and exploring the city. He remarked that Brunei stands out as a vibrant and green destination.
Over 40 Mandarin-speaking volunteers assisted in the inaugural arrival, with some participants being students from educational institutions.
The continuous arrival of international cruise ships underscores Brunei’s rising prominence as a premier cruise destination.
With nine vessels docking in 2024 to date, the Tourism Development Department expects two more arrivals before the year-end, including the Blue Dream Melody, scheduled to enter Brunei waters on December 18. – James Kon
