Malaysia is positioning itself as a premier cruise destination in Asia, emerging as a popular spot for international cruise liners operating in the region.
As cruise tourism becomes increasingly significant for Malaysia’s international appeal, several cruise companies are recognizing Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur as a key destination in their itineraries.
The Carnival Corporation-owned Costa Cruises has scheduled sailings from Port Klang (gateway to Kuala Lumpur) to various destinations across Southeast Asia. Costa Asia's itineraries include popular among Malaysian travelers destinations, such as Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong China, Taiwan China, Korea, and Japan.
During a ceremony earlier this year, Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that Costa Cruises’ designation of Port Klang as an international homeport for the Costa Serena ship will enhance Malaysia’s tourism sector.
The collaborative effort between Costa Cruises and Hwajing Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd (HTT) is expected to bring economic benefits and lasting advantages to the country. Loke noted that Costa Cruises’ recognition of Malaysia as a promising market, combined with HTT’s established reputation in Southeast Asian cruise tourism, highlights their shared vision to explore the halal cruise market in the country.
The establishment of Port Klang as Costa Serena’s first international cruise homeport is seen as a pivotal development, elevating Malaysia to a premier international cruise destination.
In 2023, Malaysia experienced unprecedented cruise arrival figures, with its ports welcoming 1,055 cruise ships carrying 1,520,608 passengers. This marks an 84.78% increase in ship arrivals and a 62.43% rise in passenger numbers compared to 2019 pre-COVID levels.