The arrival of Ovation of the Seas at Gili Mas Port, Lembar, has opened 2026 with a notable achievement, as the vessel becomes the largest cruise ship to call at Lombok this year. The Bahamas-flagged liner berthed on the morning of Friday, 2 January 2026 at approximately 07:55 WITA, marking the first cruise visit to Indonesia in the new year and drawing attention to the island’s increasing appeal among international operators.

PT Pelindo Multi Terminal (SPMT) Lembar Branch Manager Kunto Wibisono highlighted the importance of the call, describing it as the biggest cruise movement handled in Indonesia throughout 2026 so far. Speaking from the Gili Mas passenger terminal, he explained that the visit reflects renewed confidence in Lombok as part of regional cruise itineraries and signals a positive start to the season.

Read More: North Lombok’s Tourism Momentum and NTB’s Emerging Role as a National Destination

Thousands of Visitors on a Single Call

With space for around 4,600 travellers and roughly 1,500 crew members, Ovation of the Seas brought a substantial number of visitors to the island for a day of shore excursions. The ship was scheduled to continue its voyage to Singapore at 23:00 the same day. According to Pelindo, cruise vessels normally remain alongside for close to 12 hours, giving guests time to experience destinations such as the Gili Islands, Kuta Mandalika, and cultural sites in West Lombok. Management also noted that in 2025 two ships extended their stop and stayed overnight, a pattern the port hopes to see again.

Part of a Broader Indonesian Route

Gili Mas served as the third Indonesian destination for the liner after previous berths at Celukan Bawang Port and Benoa Port in Bali. Port records reveal steady expansion in cruise traffic: 22 ships carrying about 77,000 passengers in 2024, followed by 24 ships with approximately 85,000 passengers in 2025 — an increase of around 10 percent over two consecutive years. These figures demonstrate growing interest in Lombok and West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) within the national tourism map.

Infrastructure Ready for Larger Growth

For the remainder of 2026, Pelindo confirmed that around 25 cruise calls have already secured berthing slots, with further arrivals expected from June until the end of the year. As the only dedicated cruise harbour in NTB, Gili Mas is equipped with a 450-metre-long quay, comfortably accommodating the vessel’s 350-metre length. Passenger lounges, immigration areas, and docking services are operating under established standards, ensuring smooth handling of both ships and guests.

The record-breaking visit of Ovation of the Seas reinforces Lombok’s ambition to position itself as a welcoming gateway for maritime tourism. Local authorities and businesses anticipate that the rising number of cruise passengers will continue to stimulate the regional economy and introduce more international travellers to the natural beauty of the Gilis and mainland Lombok.

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