CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, one of the largest global cruise operators, marked a milestone with its first-ever port call in Manila, Philippines. Carnival Panorama ship arrived at the Manila port on Friday morning, October 18th, during the 25-day transpacific voyage (RepositionCruises.com) from Singapore to Long Beach, California USA, making stops in Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii.
The arrival was welcomed by Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, who attended a commemorative event on board, along with the ship’s senior officers, including Captain Luca Lazzarino. The captain noted the industry’s recovery from the pandemic and emphasized the strategic decision to visit the Philippines, a country with a rich maritime heritage and a significant source of the cruise industry's workforce.
Lazzarino said that with the growth of cruise tourism, countries like the Philippines, with its longstanding seafaring tradition, are key to the industry's future. He highlighted the Philippines' contribution of skilled workers, with 100,000+ Filipino cruise ship employees worldwide - a number that continues to rise as new routes and voyages are launched by cruise lines.
Cacdac added that the number of Filipino cruise workers is now almost on par with those serving on merchant vessels, reflecting their high demand. The Carnival Panorama, carrying ~4,000 passengers and 1,400 crew, includes ~400 Filipino crew members. Among them is Finance Director Jojo Pechayco, a 25-year veteran of Carnival, who confirmed the strong reputation of Filipino workers in the cruise industry.
Pechayco said that Filipino workers are highly regarded for their passion and dedication, reflecting on the demand for Filipino talent across all shipboard departments.
The ship’s stopover in Manila was brief, lasting only half a day, but provided an opportunity for Filipino crew members to reunite with their families. Some relatives were also allowed to board the ship for a visit. While future visits to Manila are not confirmed, Captain Lazzarino expressed optimism about the possibility of returning to the port in the future.