Fondly called the Pearl of the Orient, the island of Penang is located on the northwest coast of peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca, the main shipping channel that has linked Europe and Asia since the spice trade centuries ago.
That history gave Penang a unique heritage and culture that fused East and West. The capital, George Town, boasts a large number of well-preserved colonial-era buildings, for which it was given World Heritage status by UNESCO.
Penang is connected to an integrated network of cruise destinations via Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), which is the only entry point for tourists arriving on the island by cruise ship.
The 400-meter long, T-shaped terminal and two 80-meter inner berths can accommodate some of the world’s largest vessels. Ships and cruise lines that have docked in SPCT include Star Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Aidacara, Seabourn, P&O, Princess, Silversea, Costa Crociere, Cunard, RMS Queen Mary, and Queen Elizabeth 2.
Located within George Town, SPCT is a port city that provides passengers with easily available ways to explore Penang: bicycles, trishaws, taxis, and executive coaches. Visitors can also explore the city on foot, as many sites are found nearby.
In charge of managing SPCT, the Penang Port Commission has plans to further expand the facilities and promote the island in key markets such as Miami, Barcelona, Istanbul, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The Penang Port Commission is also seeking partners in Asia, Europe, and United States to develop the island as the best cruise hub in Malaysia and a top cruise destination.
Note: This Special Report on Malaysia originally appeared in Foreign Affairs in July 2013 (Credit: Philippe Le Saux)
