Planning an Iloilo–Palawan ferry trip this October?
Here is a ferry schedule worth saving before you finalize your itinerary. Montenegro Lines has posted a specific sailing window for October 10 to 15, 2026, covering Iloilo City, Cuyo in Palawan, and Puerto Princesa City. The vessel named in the announcement is MV Maria Isabel.
I know how it goes when you are arranging an island trip. You might have already picked your travel dates, asked a relative to meet you at the port, or booked a room at your destination. Then you realize that a ferry does not necessarily leave every day. That is why it helps to look at the actual sailing dates rather than assume there will be another boat tomorrow.
This guide brings the schedule together in one place, with practical reminders about boarding, connecting through Cuyo, and what to confirm before paying for tickets. The times and contact numbers below come from the supplied operator advisory. General travel tips are suggestions for planning, not additional promises from the shipping line.
Quick details before you book
- Operator: Montenegro Lines.
- Vessel: MV Maria Isabel
- Sailing Date: October 10–15, 2026
- Route: Iloilo City → Cuyo, Palawan → Puerto Princesa City, with a return sailing through Cuyo to Iloilo City.
Complete Iloilo to Cuyo to Puerto Princesa Sailing Schedule
- Saturday, October 10, 2026: Depart Iloilo City at 3:00 PM.
- Sunday, October 11, 2026: Arrive Cuyo, Palawan at 3:00 AM.
- Sunday, October 11, 2026: Depart Cuyo, Palawan at 2:00 PM.
- Monday, October 12, 2026: Arrive Puerto Princesa City at 6:00 AM.
If you are boarding in Iloilo and going all the way to Puerto Princesa, this itinerary includes a call at Cuyo. The posted timetable shows an eleven-hour gap between the listed Cuyo arrival and departure. That does not automatically mean through-passengers may leave the vessel or explore the island. Ask the crew or booking office about the rules for passengers in transit.
For planning purposes, the timetable implies 12 hours from Iloilo departure to Cuyo arrival, and 16 hours from Cuyo departure to Puerto Princesa arrival. The complete elapsed time from Iloilo departure to Puerto Princesa arrival is about 39 hours, including the scheduled stop in Cuyo. These are schedule calculations, not guaranteed travel durations.
Puerto Princesa to Cuyo to Iloilo Return Voyage schedule
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026: Depart Puerto Princesa City at 2:00 PM.
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Arrive Cuyo, Palawan at 6:00 AM.
- Wednesday, October 14, 2026: Depart Cuyo, Palawan at 3:00 PM.
- Thursday, October 15, 2026: Arrive Iloilo City at 3:00 AM.
For the return voyage, the timetable indicates 16 hours from Puerto Princesa to Cuyo and 12 hours from Cuyo to Iloilo, plus the scheduled nine-hour stop in Cuyo. The total elapsed time from Puerto Princesa departure to Iloilo arrival is approximately 37 hours. As with any sea journey, weather, port conditions, and operational requirements can affect the actual trip.
One useful reminder: the Iloilo arrival is listed at 3:00 AM. If someone is picking you up, tell them the arrival date is Thursday, October 15, not Wednesday night. For early-morning arrivals, consider your onward transportation options before the trip.
Boarding Time
- Iloilo/Lapuz Port: 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Puerto Princesa Port: 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.
Which ticket or route should you ask about?
If you are traveling from Iloilo to Cuyo, ask for the October 10 Iloilo departure and October 11 Cuyo arrival. If you are continuing to Puerto Princesa, make it clear that your intended destination is Puerto Princesa, not Cuyo.
If you are leaving Cuyo for Puerto Princesa, ask about the October 11 afternoon departure.
Travelers starting in Puerto Princesa should look at the October 13 sailing.
For Puerto Princesa to Cuyo, the posted arrival is October 14 at 6:00 AM.
For the complete return to Iloilo, the arrival is October 15 at 3:00 AM. Those dates matter when arranging hotel checkouts, airport connections, and family pickups.
A common planning mistake is to compare only the time of day. A 3:00 AM arrival sounds like an early morning, but the date tells you which morning. Double-check both before booking anything nonrefundable.
Montenegro Shipping Lines Contact Numbers
- Iloilo City: 0905 495 0825
- Cuyo: 0907 394 7093
- Puerto Princesa City: 0951 491 6920
What to prepare for a long ferry trip
For a voyage that spans overnight hours, a little preparation makes a big difference.
- Bring a valid ID and keep your booking details where you can access them without mobile data. A screenshot can be helpful, but keep the original ticket or confirmation available if the operator requires it.
- Pack necessary medication in your carry-on bag, not at the bottom of a large suitcase.
- Bring water and easy snacks as allowed by the shipping line, a light jacket for air-conditioned areas, charging cables, a power bank that complies with operator rules, tissues, and basic toiletries.
- If you are prone to motion sickness, discuss suitable options with a healthcare professional before departure. Remember that signal can be unreliable at sea, so download important information before boarding.
- For families traveling with children or older relatives, check accommodation availability early. The published poster does not show the ship’s sleeping arrangements or accessibility facilities. Asking in advance is better than arriving with assumptions, especially on an overnight journey.
Tips if you are visiting Cuyo, Palawan
Cuyo can be more than a name in the middle of a route, but whether you can spend time there depends on your actual ticket and the operator’s rules.
If Cuyo is your final destination, confirm where passengers disembark and arrange your pickup with the arrival time in mind. On the outbound leg, the scheduled arrival is 3:00 AM, so it is worth checking whether your accommodation can accommodate a very early arrival.
If you are beginning your trip in Cuyo, do not confuse the two departure dates. Cuyo to Puerto Princesa is listed for October 11 at 2:00 PM, while Cuyo to Iloilo is listed for October 14 at 3:00 PM. They are different sailings in different directions. Confirm the exact boarding location and reporting time with the local office before heading to the port.
If you want to explore Cuyo as a destination, build in enough time rather than assuming the vessel’s scheduled stop is a sightseeing opportunity. Local weather and onward transport can influence how comfortable your itinerary feels.
Tips for Iloilo and Puerto Princesa connections
Iloilo travelers should plan how they will reach Lapuz Port and account for city traffic, especially with the 11:00 AM boarding time. Check the port name on your actual ticket because cities can have more than one passenger terminal or pier. If you are coming from another province, avoid making a tight same-day connection without allowing for road delays.
Puerto Princesa passengers should remember that the listed inbound arrival is Monday, October 12 at 6:00 AM, and the return departure is Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 PM. If you plan to stay in the city, this gives you a specific window to work with, but do not book tours that require a guaranteed arrival at the exact minute shown.
For travelers who need to catch a flight, bus, or another ferry after disembarking, leave a generous buffer. The advisory itself says schedules can change without prior notice. A small adjustment at sea can have a big effect on a tightly planned itinerary.
Common questions about the Montenegro Lines sailing
Is this a daily ferry schedule?
- No. The image announces a specific set of departures and arrivals between October 10 and 15, 2026. It does not confirm a daily service.
What ship is assigned?
- The posted vessel is MV Maria Isabel. Ship assignments can change, so confirm when booking.
Does the ferry stop in Cuyo?
- Yes. The published itinerary lists Cuyo as an intermediate port in both directions.
Can I board in Cuyo?
- The timetable includes departures from Cuyo on October 11 and October 14. Contact the Cuyo office for ticket availability, boarding arrangements, and reporting time.
What is the fare from Iloilo to Puerto Princesa?
- No fare is printed on the advisory. Request a current quotation from Montenegro Lines.
What time should I arrive for boarding in Iloilo?
- The listed boarding time is 11:00 AM on October 10 at Iloilo/Lapuz Port. Confirm the check-in cutoff and arrive with a reasonable allowance.
What time is boarding in Puerto Princesa?
- The advisory lists 10:00 AM on October 13 at Puerto Princesa Port.
What happens if the weather changes?
- Montenegro Shipping Lines states that schedules are subject to change without prior notice. Confirm the sailing again near your departure date and keep your contact details available for updates.
Final Travel Reminder
A ferry trip between Iloilo and Palawan can be a practical way to connect these destinations, especially if your journey includes Cuyo. The key is to plan around the exact departure and arrival dates, not just the route name.
For this particular MV Maria Isabel schedule, Iloilo departure is October 10, Puerto Princesa arrival is October 12, Puerto Princesa departure is October 13, and Iloilo return arrival is October 15.
Save Montenegro Shipping Lines numbers which is listed on this post, check the latest status before leaving home, and ask about fares and accommodations while tickets are still available. If you are coordinating with relatives, send them a screenshot of your confirmed itinerary rather than a general route graphic.
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