Marina Bay Cruise Centre to Showcase Local Art and Performances

The Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) is getting a creative makeover. The terminal's operator, SATS-Creuers Cruise Centre, has signed a three-year deal with the National Arts Council (NAC) to bring local art and live performances to the busy port. The agreement was announced on October 6, and it means that travelers passing through the terminal will soon enjoy murals and music created by Singaporean artists.

Under the deal, live musical performances will take place during busy travel periods, such as festive seasons and school holidays. Visitors will be able to enjoy these shows while they wait to board or after they arrive from a cruise. The goal is to make the cruise centre feel more lively and welcoming for everyone who passes through.

Wall spaces inside the terminal will also slowly be filled with colorful murals. These paintings will tell stories from many different cultures, giving visitors a multicultural experience right at the port. SATS-Creuers and NAC say they plan to add more artwork over the full three years of the partnership.

One mural is already on display at the cruise centre. It is called Manifest, and it was painted by local artist Eunice Hannah Lim. The artwork connects Singapore's long history as a seafaring nation with its many cultural traditions, featuring sea creatures and symbols from the ocean.

An animated version of Manifest will greet passengers as soon as they enter the terminal. It will guide them toward the full mural, where they can take in all the rich details and symbols. The experience is designed to make travelers stop, look, and think about Singapore's deep relationship with the sea.

Gregory Tan, the chief executive of SATS-Creuers, said the partnership is a chance to help local artists reach a bigger audience. 'Through our partnership with NAC, we hope to broaden the reach of our local arts community and create meaningful opportunities for home-grown talents,' he said. He sees the cruise centre as the perfect place to share Singapore's creative culture with visitors from around the world.

Lynette Pang, the deputy CEO of NAC, shared a similar view. 'By bringing the arts into MBCCS, we hope that more travellers will encounter and connect with the diversity of Singapore's arts and culture as part of their journey,' she said. She added that the artwork will help travelers discover Singapore through the eyes of its artists.

The cruise centre itself recently went through a big upgrade. In October 2025, a $40 million renovation boosted the terminal's capacity from 6,800 passengers to 11,700 passengers at one time. This expansion helps the terminal keep up with growing demand for cruise travel in the region.