When the UK's HMS Prince of Wales arrived in Singapore on 23 June for its first formal port call in the region, it didn't berth at a military dock – it docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS).
For seven days, the 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, one of the largest warships in the world, sat proudly beside a terminal more commonly associated with cruise holidays.
The visit wasn't just any ordinary port call. HMS Prince of Wales's stay commemorated the 60th anniversary of UK-Singapore diplomatic relations, making MBCCS the first cruise terminal to berth a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
Gregory Tan (right) noted the ship’s towering presence drew curious onlookers, with crowds gathering daily to catch a rare glimpse of the massive aircraft carrier. Photo Credit: British High Commission
Gregory Tan, CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services (the terminal operator of Marina Bay Cruise Centre), called the visit "a meaningful milestone" not just because of the ship's scale, but for what it represented.
Security meets spectacle
While a typical cruise day involves families and tourists, this port call brought an entirely different guest list – military officials, foreign dignitaries and invited members of the public.
"The operation required tighter coordination with security agencies and crowd management teams," said Tan. "But this wasn't our first non-cruise activation. We've hosted everything from tall ships like the Amerigo Vespucci to brand showcases for luxury labels. Our team is trained for this."
The secrecy created its own buzz within the company. "We had to be very tight-lipped about it and had to give a code name to it. So those who knew, it was really like a military operation on a need-to-know basis," Tan reveals.
The HMS Prince of Wales' visit involved tight coordination with multiple government agencies, strict confidentiality, and enhanced security protocols due to the vessel’s military nature and VIP activities onboard. Photo Credit: British High Commission
The HMS Prince of Wales hosted multiple events onboard, including defence industry expos, panel discussions and an official reception attended by Singapore's Minister for Defence, Chan Chun Sing. "He said the British are known to have an eye for terrain – and in this case, they clearly had an eye for location in choosing MBCCS," recalled Tan.
Sailors seeking Singapore
Despite the military protocols, Tan discovered the crew's excitement about their Singapore stopover during his visit aboard. "When I went on board, I spoke to the ship's crew – they are so much looking forward to exploring Singapore," he says.
Some crew members expressed particular interest in Singapore's cultural precincts, including Chinatown, whilst others were spotted cycling around downtown Singapore. "Being military men, they are highly active, and they need that exercise after months of sea travel. I think it's a breath of fresh air, literally," Tan observes.
Public buzz and Instagram fame
The ship’s arrival sparked major public buzz, with crowds gathering near Marina Bay and social media lighting up with photos of the rare naval sight. Photo Credit: British High Commission
Public enthusiasm was high. "I had people texting me for tickets, and some even joked about renting a bumboat to get a closer view," said Tan. Though entry was limited, crowds still gathered near Gardens by the Bay and Marina South Pier to catch a glimpse.
Some of the best views came from the sea. "A guest on the Genting Dream snapped an incredible photo during departure, with the aircraft carrier and Singapore skyline in the background," said Tan. "It really captured how surreal the moment was – two very different ships sharing the same port."
A strategic success
The successful hosting of HMS Prince of Wales demonstrates MBCCS's versatility beyond cruise tourism.
"It's not every day that you have a royal visitor to MBCCS alongside where cruise ships usually dock," Tan reflects. "It's moments like these that I'm really reminded how strategic MBCCS is and how meaningful it is to play a role in such historic occasions."
And as for what's next? "We're always ready for the unexpected," he smiled.