Cruise tourism continues to bring tourists to Brunei Darussalam with the Norwegian Jewel making a historic maiden call, bringing more than 3,000 visitors to the country recently.
According to Tourism Development Department, the cruise’s arrival in the country marks a milestone for the local tourism industry, offering an opportunity for passengers to explore the beauty and culture of the country.
The department also stated that the Norwegian Jewel is the fourth cruise ship to visit Brunei Darussalam this year, following the Oceania Insignia’s arrival on 21 May.
Originating from The Bahamas Islands in the Caribbean, the Norwegian Jewel carried 2,302 passengers and 1,030 crew members.
Upon disembarking the ship, they were warmly greeted with a lively hadrah performance and had the chance to take pictures with performers donned in traditional attire.
Passengers aboard the Norwegian Jewel were offered exclusive tours to some of Brunei Darussalam’s most iconic destinations, including the Royal Regalia Museum, the Jame Asr’ Mosque, the Sultan Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Mosque, and the Istana Nurul Iman.
At the Cruise Ship Centre, passengers were offered opportunities to acquire traditional Bruneian souvenirs, embark on adventure and exploration packages to explore the country’s iconic sites and savour the rich local coffee offerings.
Moreover, the passengers expressed excitement as first-time visitors to Brunei Darussalam, with some mentioning their eagerness to visit the iconic cultural sites, buy local souvenirs, and explore the capital city on their brief stay.
Mohamed Al Awadhi, from the Kingdom of Bahrain, praised the warm and welcoming nature of the locals. On her part, Marva Fuller from Dallas, Texas, was keen to catch a glimpse of the iconic Proboscis Monkeys.
The sultanate is set to welcome two more cruise ships this year, with another Norwegian Jewel cruise scheduled to sail into Brunei waters on the 26 November 2023.
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
