Cruise Travel Trend Set To Dominate Bali In 2026 

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Here at The Bali Sun, we are constantly tracking travel trends to share all of the juicy details with our readers.

As we settle into 2026, we are already seeing this year’s travel trends come into their own. In 2026, cruise travel in Bali is going to be a big deal.

The Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise, Pelindo, which oversees many of the country’s biggest ports and harbors, has confirmed that 65 cruise ships docked in Bali’s Benoa Harbour in 2025, bringing a total of 140,000 tourists and crew to the island.

Benoa Port General Manager, Anak Agung Gede Agung Mataram, told reporters that the figures for 2025 surpass those of 2024, when Genoa welcomed 56 cruise ships and 107,000 passengers and crew. 

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Mataram shared, “We prioritize the safety, security, and comfort of passengers.” This is important, especially since Benoa Harbor is due to welcome even more passengers in 2026. Benoa Port, which is also known as the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, is set to welcome 73 luxury cruise liners in 2026. 

The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub, which has undergone a massive redevelopment, can now receive jumbo cruise ships since the dock is now 500m in length. The Bali Maritime Tourism Hub has already received its first luxury cruise ship of the year. Bearing the Bahamas flag, the cruise carried 3,431 passengers and 1,542 crew to Bali. 

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Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is suitably equipped to welcome this size of vessel and this volume of passengers. There are immigration and x-ray security facilities, currency exchange points, toilets, parking areas, waiting rooms, prayer rooms, parent and baby rooms, a medical clinic, as well as a retail area for local medium, small, and micro businesses. 

As current bookings stand, the Bali Maritime Tourism Hub is set to welcome 61 international cruise ships in 2026, 19 of which are considered large cruise ships. The presence of smaller but more luxurious vessels set to dock in Benoa Harbour is being celebrated by port officials.

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Mataram told reporters, “Approximately 55,000 to 65,000 passengers. This is also greatly influenced by the number of large and tall ships. There are 19 large and tall ships with an average passenger capacity of around 3,000. Most of these passengers are considered quality tourism.”

He continued, “Based on the 2026 cruise ship schedule, Benoa Port will serve 61 vessels of various sizes and segments from expeditions to world-class cruise ships. This demonstrated the strong confidence of international shipping industry players in Benoa Port’s readiness.”

Mataram concluded, “Benoa Port not only serves as a docking point for ships, but also handles turnaround activities, which involve the simultaneous boarding and disembarkation of large numbers of passengers. This activity has a significant multiplier effect on the port, the tourism, the transportation, hospitality, MSMEs, and Bali’s broader economy.”

It’s not only cruise travel but maritime tourism more broadly that will be a key travel trend in Bali and across Indonesia in 2026. The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism recently announced that gastronomy, wellness, and maritime tourism experiences are a top priority for development and promotion moving forward. 

 Speaking in late 2025, Gede Budiwijaya, the spokesman for the Ministry of Tourism, told the media, “We at the Ministry of Tourism want to upgrade our priority programs, such as maritime tourism, where we will focus.”

“We will ensure a complete and superior marine product offering, both underwater and watersports.”

Almost all tourists traveling to Bali engage with maritime tourism in one way or another. With so many different experiences to explore, it’s hard to resist the call of Bali’s waters.

From watching dolphins jump over the sunrise in Lovina, to swimming with manta rays in Nusa Penida, through to surfing in Canggu and parasailing in Benoa, or island hopping to the Gili Islands, maritime tourism is the backbone of Bali tourism and is set to soar in 2026.