China's first large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, completed 84 voyages with a record of 600,000 inbound and outbound visits in its first year of commercial operation, Shanghai Customs reported.
The ship set sail on its maiden voyage on January 1 and gained popularity among tourists, accounting for 40 percent of China's international cruise market in 2024.
More than 3,000 passengers boarded the ship at Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, Shanghai, on Sunday for a six-day New Year's voyage.
The cruise ship, measuring 323.6 meters in length, has a gross tonnage of 135,500 and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 cabins and approximately 1,300 crew members. More than 1,000 domestic and international manufacturers participated in the construction of the Adora Magic City.
Meanwhile, a second large cruise ship built in China is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026 and begin its international voyages from the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou in 2027.
China's cruise economy is experiencing a steady recovery, driven by the visa-free policy for international tourists and the resurgence of the global cruise market. According to market analysts, the cruise economy plays a crucial role in expanding domestic demand, unlocking consumption potential, and cultivating new economic drivers.
To boost the industry, China has implemented a series of targeted policies. In May, a policy was launched allowing visa-free entry for foreign tour groups arriving on cruise ships at any of the country's cruise ports along the coast. Also, in June, new regulations were revealed to facilitate the resupply of supplies for international cruise ships at Chinese ports.
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