Singapore's cruise centre to get a $40 million refurbishment (2025)

(April 17, 2025) -- Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) will undergo its most extensive upgrade since 2012.

The makeover will cost S$40 million (roughly AUD$48 million) and is forecasted to improve accessibility, help with smoother embarkation and create an enhanced terminal experience.

Driven by SATS-Creuers Cruise Services, a joint venture between SATS (Singapore Airport Terminal Services) and Creuers del Port de Barcelona, the renovations will take nine months, beginning in early 2025. The upgrades will be carried out in phases to avoid major disruption, meaning that MBCCS can still operate on port call days.

The improved transport facilities will elevate the experience of those arriving on mega ships, as the terminal’s capacity will increase from 6,800 to 11,700, making dual ship calls easier to handle.

Singapore Tourism Board’s Assistant Chief Executive Ong Huey Hong remarked, “These improvements will solidify Singapore’s position as a leading cruise hub, offering world-class facilities that cater to the evolving needs of cruise lines and passengers.”

What Are the Changes?

The upgrades revolve around an improved visitor experience. There’ll be a brand-new check-in area that can accommodate a larger number of passengers, which will help streamline the process when two large ships arrive at the port simultaneously. A dedicated check-in area for each ship during dual ship calls will cut wait times and create a more efficient experience.

There will also be more lounge facilities, ensuring a comfortable wait for passengers ready to embark. Considering that Singapore’s Changi airport has a butterfly room and a cinema, the MBCCS has high standards of transport infrastructure to live up to.

Those arriving and departing the centre by car will also have a better experience. By converting the vacant land in front of the MBCCS, the number of ride-hailing lots will more than double, and there will also be more bus parking bays.

To ease traffic congestion and accessibility to the port, parts of the Marina Coastal Drive will be widened, which will be particularly convenient during the arrival and departure of mega ships.

Bob Chi, Chairman of SATS-Creuers, shared his excitement about the renovations,

“The upgrade will deliver a better visitor experience while improving efficiency for cruise ship operators. We would also like to thank STB (Singapore Tourism Board) for their trust in SATS-Creuers for this extension of our partnership to grow the cruise industry in Singapore and the region by uplifting service levels and attracting major cruise lines to homeport or call at MBCCS – one of the world’s most important destinations for cruise passengers.”

Mehmet Kutman, Chairman & CEO of Global Ports Holding, said, “Singapore is a key hub for the cruise industry, and SATS-Creuers’ commitment to upgrading Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore highlights its dedication to delivering world-class passenger experiences.”

What Ships will be Homeported in Singapore?

There is already a steady lineup of mega ships with confirmed homeport seasons in Singapore for 2025. They include:

Ovation of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas will be homeporting between October 2025 and March 2026, offering a six-month season with itineraries to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The ship has a capacity og 4,905.

Disney Adventure: The largest ship in the Disney fleet, Disney Adventure has a huge capacity of 6,000 passengers. Its Singapore homeport is exciting, as it will be Disney’s first ship to homeport in Asia. It will make its Southeast Asian debut in December 2025.

Diamond Princess: Princess Cruises’ beloved ship will homeport in Singapore from December 2025, sailing mostly two-week Southeast Asia cruises. She has a capacity of 2,670.