840,000 Cruise Passengers Visited Shanghai So Far This Year

The port of Shanghai in China reported processing 840,000 cruise passengers during the first half of 2024, according to the Shanghai Port Border Inspection Department.

The Shanghai International Cruise Economic Research Center recently released statistics indicating that over 90 international vessels were inspected at the port in the first six months of the year. This figure accounts for more than 180 cruise ships arriving and departing from the country, the research center noted.

On June 28, 2024, Shanghai set a record for the highest number of passengers processed in a single day this year, with around 25,000 passengers checked. Additionally, the Shanghai Cruise Port saw approximately 45,000 foreign passengers crossing the country's borders in the first half of 2024. Of these, 18,000 passengers utilized China’s new visa-free policy for cruise travel, which was introduced in early June.

These achievements are attributed to the resurgence of international cruise operations in Shanghai, as well as the introduction of newer and larger vessels in the Chinese market.

In January, the new Adora Magic City made its debut in Shanghai as the first large cruise ship built in China. Now operating year-round from the port, the vessel is run by China-based Adora Cruises.

More recently, in June, the Blue Dream Melody began its operations for Blue Dream Cruises from Shanghai. Acquired from AIDA Cruises earlier this year, the 1,218-guest ship replaces the 836-guest Blue Dream Star.

International brands have also made a comeback in Shanghai in 2024, with MSC Cruises deploying the 4,500-guest MSC Bellissima to the region, and Royal Caribbean International assigning the 4,200-passenger Spectrum of the Seas to the local market.

As part of a joint venture between China Merchants and Viking, the former Viking Sun has also been sailing from Shanghai in 2024.

Homeporting operations alone accounted for over 600,000 inbound and outbound passengers in the first half of the year, according to the Shanghai International Cruise Economic Research Center.