In a year-end visit to various spots in the Philippines, the Cruise Ship World Dream arrived this morning for a day-long stop in Subic Bay, dubbed as “Manila’s equal for entertainment, albeit cut from a totally different tropical cloth” with its offerings of water sports, treks and theme parks.

The 19-deck ship carries over 3,000 passengers and crew members.

In recent years, Subic Bay, a former host to the biggest US Naval Base outside the US Mainland, has become a regular destination of cruise ships plying the Asia-Pacific area.

Cruise ship visits enhance economic activities and, thus, are welcomed and anticipated by both residents and business establishments in the local community . (Louella G. Vizcocho)