An embarkation at Manila sets one forth into an extraordinary amalgamation of modern energy and enduring tradition. The Manila cruise port is an intricate tapestry of very vibrant life; it is not just a joint of passage to Southeast Asia. With a wonderful street life, rich colonial architecture, sourced good food and a tropical ambience, this city is just perfect to begin one's journey. From the best pre-cruise encounters and deals to why cruising from Manila is a wise and satisfying choice, this section discusses all of them.
Manila is an unusual mix of the clamor of contemporary urban life and several centuries of colonial history in its background. This port gives you an experience of the Philippines in its myriad colors and facets, from dilapidated churches and Spanish fortresses to bursting bazaars and towering city buildings.
Manila is an uncommon mesh up of the clamors of contemporary urban life and several centuries of colonial history in its background. This port gives you an experience of the Philippines and its myriad colors and facets, from derelict churches and Spanish fortresses to bursting bazaars and towering city buildings. Some points of interest are:
Ornate plazas, churches, and cobblestone streets made Intramuros almost the setup of ancient Manila during the Spanish colonial era. Explore Fort Santiago, famed for its haunting yet irresistibly romantic avenue or visit San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Just a few meters away on foot from the terminal is an exemplary site-another natural plaza/park in Manila-with a national landmark status. It is named after the national hero José Rizal, and it is one of the few nice salubrious spots good for the initiation into a cruise, with its fountains, monuments, and historical markers.
It is one of the oldest Chinatowns in the world, filled with winding alleys housing bakeries, noodle shops, herb shops, and temples. Soak in the culture and buy those yummy dumplings from backstreet eateries!
The bay is bordered by a long strip of promenade that offers a rare spectacle of a sunset. Locals go for jogging, grab light refreshments, or just sit by the water. On your day of departure, take in the sight, get some concoctions from stalls, and gaze at street performances.
Manila has something for every traveler; the past and the present hustle and bustle together through the charming streets lined with smiling faces. Unforgettable experiences will highlight your waters in this busy Southeast Asian city: tasting and smelling, sipping and dining, soaking in culture, or the adventure circuit.
Manila offers every traveler a little something, where time-honoured tales share space with attributes of the current era along enticing streetsides and smiling faces. Whatever your interests--doing some smelling and tasting, drinking and dining, soaking in culture, or adventuring--these experiences are sure to brighten up your day in this hustle-bustle Southeast Asian city.
Getting acquainted with Manila's turbulent history on foot continues to be the perfect option for this purpose. Almost all guided walking tours lead participants into Intramuros, the Spanish stone-walled city area with historic buildings. Walk inside the majestic cathedrals, traverse stone pathways that haven't changed in hundreds of years, and pass under massive fortified gates as the guide recounts stories of colonial power, resistances, and sacrifices. But there are also some tours that delve deeper than just half a dozen highlights- these include walking around the nearby Escolta Street, once a trendy commercial street, or exploring art galleries, vintage shops, and eateries.
The Museums at Bahay Tsinoy and Casa Manila are said to be among the relevant destinations for recreation in the walled district of Intramuros. These museums allow people to learn a little of the many ethnic groups that make up the metropolis. Turning an otherwise common house into a 19th-century atmosphere using genuine furniture and antiques, Casa Manila allows visitors to visualize how life during the colonial period of their forefathers could have been. Bahay Tsinoy, on the other hand, is interested in the rich history of the Filipino-Chinese community. The whole class got into discussion and learned some aspects about the identity of Manila.
Perhaps some retail therapy is in order before you set sail. Shopping in Manila with some of its malls could mean a department store on a grand scale, filler with themed eateries and art displays, cultural destinations. Being one of the largest malls in the world, SM Mall of Asia stands by the bay and is perfect for anything from upscale clothing to unusual mementos. The Silahis Arts & Artifacts shop in Intramuros is a haven for regional crafts and Filipino folk art with all sorts of hand-made items and exclusive finds.
Manila's food environment is as gargantuan and paired with multiple varieties just as the city. Each bite tells a story-from eating taps log in a casual restaurant, or kare-kare in a fine dining restaurant. One must go on a street food tour: sample regional specialties like turon, isaw, and buko juice straight from the coconut. If you'd like to get hands-on with your dishes, take a Filipino cooking course to learn how to prepare sinigang and adobo. Then savor the dish Filipino style-warm, shared, and with lots of rice.
If really planned in a proper manner, organizing one's cruise from Manila can be as exciting as the actual trip itself. Instead of the usual four distinct seasons, being a tropical country, the Philippines merely experiences two-the dry and the wet season. However, to make things easier for your planning, here is a breakdown based on the best choice.
This period benefits from great weather with much sunshine during March and April, suitable for beach vacations or sightseeing. Prices may go up during the holidays, and May can be hot.
This is the wet and typhoon season, and the low season with fewer tourists and prices being slashed. In general, early June is good; the middle of July, however, marks the increasingly erratic weather.
Considered shoulder season with the least crowd and thus cheaper costs (September to November). There is still a chance for rain in September, but the weather gets increasingly better in October. November is great for discounts and good weather.
In Southeast Asia and beyond, the most unforgettable kinds of adventures can occur from and out of Manila. Preserving Manila Port as its main seaport, it houses the cruise lines of most renown throughout the world, all of which claim to include cruises ranging from all-time luxurious to barely affordable. Some of these choices are:
An Italian company famous for infusing Mediterranean spirit into each cruise, the Costa Cruises is under the ownership of Carnival Corporation. The ocean giant usually would sail to destinations in Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand in Asia after leaving the shores of Manila. This vessel brings with it an ambiance of genuine family culture that allows one to enjoy good European cuisine and excellent entertainment.
The ultra-luxury experience offered by Crystal Cruises is the better option for those seeking individual attention. Crystals departing from Manila are mostly longer outward-bound voyages, complete with intense cultural experiences and the utmost onboard facilities including sublime food and enrichment lectures, along with superb spa treatments.
Whether you are in the hunt for a luxury place to spend a holiday, or a poor bargain for some running-around-from-country cultural experience throughout Asia, or even a quick weekend away, with plenty of cheap cruise packages departing from Manila, you certainly will find any bargain here. Manila is fast becoming a center both for domestic and international sailing, offering everything from luxurious expedition-style trips up to cheap short cruises. Here are some of the best deals available presently:
The Asian 2-Night Cruise was $184 a head and was offered via Costa Cruises for that short-duration cruise for a first timer. Delight in European-priced cruising.
The much-vaunted definition of luxury is a 12-nights-of-cruise from Manila aboard the Crystal Symphony with prices starting at $6,700 per person. Gourmet dining, personal service, and luxurious accommodation are the big draws on this trip.
Looking forward to sailing out of Manila and seeing some real destinations in Asia and the Pacific? Since the vibrant port holds a major market presence, cruises leaving Manila are able to dock at some of the most rewarding destinations in the region if tranquil island retreats, cultural experiences, and happening city lives are your selections. Manila cruises head to beautiful and interesting ports such as the following:
Considered a port of call for cruise liners embarking off Manila, the hordes of tourists flock to Taipei for their entertaining night bazaars, beautiful temples, and street cuisines. Time for doing something could never go to waste visiting Taipei 101 or the National Palace Museum or just soaking an outdoor hot spring.
The Okinawan balm is a soft blend of tropical islands and Japanese traditions. Street bazaars, ancient castles, and coral-strewn beaches decrease. Enjoy your savory bowl of local soba and take a leisurely ramble around Shurijo Castle.
Any journey in the wilderness of Borneo should rightly start off Mount Kinabalu, neighboring islands, or even the buzzing fish markets of Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia (Borneo). By all accounts, these cruises are all associated with eco-adventures and nature.
Lively street life and French colonial architectural beauty-the charming ancient Saigon has a lot to offer any tourist. Take a steamboat upstream to the Mekong, shop in Ben Thanh Market, or have real pho from a roadside vendor.
The floating resort experience begins as you sail from Manila, so it is much more than just a departure event. The onboard setup is brimming with top-quality amenities designed to enhance every moment on a lively international cruise ship or a luxury liner. Here's a glimpse of what lies ahead once you walk up the gangway:
Manila-bound shipping provides for every conceivable taste from international buffets to snack bars to gourmet fine dining. Have a chic multi-course dinner during the day, sip some Italian coffee under the stars at night, or go for the buffet style with regional dishes carrying an international flavor. One dining experience gels into another in every specialty restaurant, from steakhouses to sushi bars.
Unwind on evening escapades ranging from deck parties with DJ sets to live band performances and Broadway issues-Abroad, outdoor dancing, etc. Some ships even present a range of cultural acts to locally spice up these events-from authentic Southeast Asian, Japanese, and Filipino traditions.
Most cruise ships have spas and wellness centers offering massages, saunas, and cosmetic services to bring about an elegantly relaxed atmosphere. Lounge on the pool deck. The cruiser's dictionary includes having fun at hidden bars, soaking up the views in a hot tub, or sipping on some cool lovey-dovey tropical drinks. Depending on the cruise line, you may stumble upon an adult-only hideaway, perfect for further joy.
Cruises based in Manila are perfect for the athletic and adrenaline junkies. While the schedule is peppering with skydiving, wall climbing, surf simulation, endless water slides, and fitness classes, some ships host shore excursion briefings or have exploration lounges to help you sort activities for next ports: jungle hikes, snorkeling excursions, and cultural tours.
Just a couple of elementary facts that should hopefully make the whole departure adjustment a little less stressful: Pressing vacation arrangements, arrival, and so on-well, even a little about what should be carried along!
How to get to the Port: Eva Macapagal Super Terminal, located in South Harbour near Manila Bay, is where most cruise ships undertake their journey from Manila. Akin to heavy traffic, expect anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to get to the airport from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). There are private transport, and ride-hailing applications (such as Grab), and taxis available. In the busiest travel rush, it would be wise to be there at least two to three hours before your scheduled departure.
Embarkation: Do check-in online for your journey before time is up. Carry your passport, boarding pass, and any other documentation required for your travels in paper or digital form-a visa for a foreign port, for instance. Upon arrival, traditionally, the travelers would have their luggage checked and then proceed to security and immigration while waiting at the terminal until the cruise staff announces the boarding time. Always keep your travel documents and medicine, if any, prescribed for you in your carry-ons.
Packing: Think light when choosing your clothes for a Manila cruise, as the whole travel ambiances rather warm and humid. Your sunscreen, swimwear, casual wear for day activity, and smart casual will do for dining or social events on board. Shore excursions require comfortable shoes plus motion sickness pills (you never can tell), sunscreen, and sunglasses with which to fight the glaring sun. Dress appropriately for theme parties and formal nights.
Currency: The Philippine Peso (PHP) is the local currency. However, when planning for some sightseeing before the cruise in Manila, keeping some pesos in your pocket is much appreciated-whether for a taxi, some drinks, or tips. The port area itself, as well as the malls around it, provide several ATM and money exchange services. Major credit cards are generally accepted in all tourist establishments and onboard ships.
Light clothes, swimwear for the pool and beaches, and sun protection for the days docked in ports. Only one formal outfit is needed for the formal nights.
At the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal in South Harbour near Manila Bay.
That depends on your nationality and the cruise's destinations, like Japan and Taiwan. We suggest checking the cruise line or visiting the consular offices somewhere prior to departure to ensure the necessary documents are in order.
Yes! Activities on the ship are targeted at children, adults, and the elderly, and are all easy to access.
January to March, April to June, and September to November all promise great weather and fewer tourists thus good deals will be in place.
