The Norwegian Jewel made a historic maiden call to the Sultanate yesterday morning, docking at the Cruise Ship Centre, Muara Port.
The passengers were welcomed by a lively hadrah performance, marking a milestone for Brunei Darussalam’s tourism industry, offering tourists to explore the beauty and culture of the country.
The Norwegian Jewel is the fourth cruise ship to visit Brunei this year, following the Oceania Insignia’s arrival on May 21.
Originating from The Bahamas Islands in the Caribbean, the Norwegian Jewel carried 2,302 passengers and 1,030 crew members. Upon disembarking the ship, passengers took pictures with performers donned in traditional attire.
Passengers aboard the Norwegian Jewel were offered exclusive tours to iconic destinations, including the Royal Regalia Museum, the Jame’ ‘Asr Hassanil Bolkiah, the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and Istana Nurul Iman.
At the Cruise Ship Centre, passengers were offered opportunities to acquire traditional Bruneian souvenirs, embark on adventure and exploration packages to experience iconic sites and savour the rich local culinary delights. The passengers expressed excitement as first-time visitors to the Sultanate, with some mentioning their eagerness to visit the iconic cultural sites, buy local souvenirs, and explore the capital city during their brief stay.
Mohamed Al Awadhi from Bahrain praised the warm and welcoming nature of the locals, while Marva Fuller from Dallas, Texas was keen to catch a glimpse of the iconic proboscis monkeys.
The Sultanate is set to welcome two more cruise ships this year, with another Norwegian Jewel cruise ship scheduled to sail into Brunei waters on November 26. – James Kon
