El Nido and Puerto Princesa set a port experience apart from other cruise stops with a landscape of dramatic limestone karsts, crystal waters, and intimate, less-crowded shores that invite discovery rather than rush. Signature experiences include private island-hopping through the Bacuit Archipelago to reach secret lagoons and picture-perfect beaches such as Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Shimizu Island, plus a memorable land outing to the subterranean wonder in Puerto Princesa, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO-listed marvel accessible by paddle or boat ride. Destinations span the north Palawan coast’s pristine coves and islets and inland wonders around Puerto Princesa, including Honda Bay’s Luli, Starfish, and Cowrie Islands, where visitors can snorkel amid vibrant reefs, kayak through mangrove channels, or enjoy a sunset cruise. The fleet features ships tailored for shallow-draft ports with enhanced stability and low-impact engines, plus eco-conscious design elements and shore-side facilities that expedite guest transitions, enabling smoother embarkations and disembarkations. Onboard services blend locally inspired cuisine, expansive observation lounges, and immersive experiences led by knowledgeable naturalists and cultural hosts, offering spa rituals, wellness programming, and enrichment talks that connect guests to Palawan’s marine biodiversity, limestone landscapes, and island communities. This combination of extraordinary destinations, refined yet adventurous experiences, and attentive onboard amenities makes the El Nido/Puerto Princesa port call a standout compared with other cruise stops in Southeast Asia.
