By HENRY EMPEÑO | September 23, 2025

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Villa Vie Odyssey, a “home-at-sea” cruise ship, arrived here on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit, marking the first time for a cruise ship to stay overnight in this regional tourist destination.

The cruise liner, which is operated by Villa Vie Residences cruise line based in Florida, is classified as a residential cruise ship offering a unique, full-time world cruise experience for “global residents.” The passengers purchase cabins for long-term stays, rather than traditional shorter cruises.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials who welcomed the passengers and crew, said the 650 passengers aboard the vessel are expected to visit various tourism destinations here, as well as in nearby communities.

According to the SBMA Tourism Office, Villa Vie Odyssey is the first cruise ship to spend a night in Subic, thus allowing its passengers to fully experience and immerse themselves in the beauty of local attractions.

Several cruise ships, including the 5,000-capacity MS Ovation of the Seas, had previously visited Subic since 2018, but stayed in port only for the day and left at night.

Designed as a cruise vessel that can access smaller, unique ports, Villa Vie Odyssey features homey amenities for its residents, including dining areas, pools, a gym with Peloton bikes, and community spaces for activities like art and fitness classes.

Meanwhile, the SBMA said it is boosting its cruise ship tourism program by developing more facilities to accommodate more cruise line visits.

SBMA Senior Deputy Administrator for Business and Investment Renato Lee III said in a meeting with officials of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. here last week that the Subic agency plans to build a new cruise ship berth at the Redondo Peninsula, now the center of new maritime industry developments in the free port.

Lee said the proposed P1.2-billion facility will have a quay length of 380 meters for berth 1, and 350 meters for berth 2.

The project, including reclamation for the cruise passenger terminal and cruise leisure and commercial area, would cost P8.3 billion, he added.

The Redondo Peninsula, Lee also said, is being eyed for a 30-hectare multipurpose terminal featuring a 600-meters long quay with a depth of 12 meters.

He also told the visiting AmCham officials that the SBMA is also intends to redevelop Boton Wharf into a 12.8-hectare terminal with five 5,000-sqm warehouses, and a berthing area 920-meters long. 

COVER PHOTO: A tugboat shepherds the cruise ship Villa Vie Odyssey into port during its arrival in Subic on Tuesday morning (SBMA photo)