Starting the year 2023, Port of Benoa, Indonesia Port Corporation, welcomed a Dutch-flagged cruise ship, MS Westerdam, captained by Capt Trembling Mark Andrew, carrying 1994 passengers and a crew of 817. The ship came from Port of Benoa and will continue its voyage to Singapore.The ship with a length of 285 meters, and -8 mlws ship draft, and with amount GRT 82,862 Ton, berthed at Benoa Cruise Terminal starting at 06.00, and take off berthed at 17.00 (GMT+8).
General Manager of PT Pelindo Benoa Port Branch, Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram monitored the smooth process of passenger embarkation, where the flow is that passengers enter from the BCT (Benoa Cruise Terminal) arrival terminal, then continue the customs inspection process, then all luggage is checked through the x-ray machine and then continue the journey with a choice of buses or taxi services available around the BCT parking area.
“We together with the Westerdam Ship agent coordinate with each other to ensure the smooth process of embarkation and debarkation of MV Westerdam cruise passengers, this ship is managed by PT Bahari Eka Nusantara, and we are very happy that this cruise ship from the Holland America Line group can again dock at our port, "said Mataram.
Thus, PT Pelindo Benoa Port branch is optimistic that it can provide maximum service for the convenience of cruise tourists who come, with the recovery of the cruise tourism world, it will also have an impact on increasing the economy on the Island of the Gods. This time the passengers and crew of the cruise ship also had the opportunity to get a visit from their families in Bali and surrounding areas, and they also had the opportunity to visit the cruise ship, or meet around the Port area." he added.
In addition, there are money changer facilities, ATMs, information stands from the Denpasar City Tourism Office, Stamps and Postcards from PT Pos Indonesia, and MSME plazas that provide souvenirs which can be purchased by tourists. The tourists were welcomed with Balinese gamelan music as well as Cendrawasih and Panyembrahma dances. Then the cruise tourists took a tour using the bus provided and some rented a taxi. As for the choice of attractions visited were Tanah Lot, Seminyak beach, Tegalalang rice fields and some were touring around the city of Denpasar.
The tourists and families of the crew were seen walking around the Benoa Cruise Terminal area, some took selfies at the Port of Benoa icon, some just took a walk in the MSME Plaza at Benoa Cruise Terminal, some followed the pick-up car and some took the time to visit the magnificent cruise ship. In an interview with a cruise ship passenger named Frank from Germany, he was happy to be back visiting Bali, "this is my third time visiting Bali, I am very happy to travel on this island, we will follow several tour options offered by our tour guide, there is Tanah Lot, Jimbaran Beach, Tegalalang, and others", he said. Meanwhile, once the cruise ship was berthed for 12 hours, the guests enjoyed the island of the gods using a volskwagen safari car.