Domestic luxury cruise to set sail from Shekou

Shanghai Blue Dream International Cruises Co. Ltd. will become the latest luxury cruise operator to offer services in Shenzhen when one of its Blue Dream Melody cruise ships debuts at the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport in Shekou next month.

An MSC Bellissima cruise, operated by Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Co., embarked on its maiden voyage in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from Shekou in late June. Earlier this year in March, the Pacific World cruise of Japan-based Peace Boat made its first-ever visit to the Shekou cruise homeport. Together, these events represent a significant milestone for the local cruise sector as Shenzhen seeks to establish itself as a marine economic hub.

Blue Dream Melody cruise ships will debut at the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport in Shekou next month. Photos courtesy of Shanghai Blue Dream International Cruises Co. Ltd.

In recent years, the Shenzhen city authority has introduced an array of incentives to bolster the development of the cruise industry, including financial support for cruise operators based on cruise trip and passenger volume.

According to sources from the Shenzhen Municipal Transportation Bureau, Shenzhen is expected to see a total of 116,500 cruise passengers this year, representing a remarkable 550% year-on-year increase from 2023. The Shenzhen Cruise Homeport will see 27 cruises set sail from Shekou this year and host three overseas cruises.

Starting Sept. 26, Shanghai Blue Dream International Cruises Co. Ltd. will operate various Blue Dream Melody cruises, ranging from two to five nights, during its autumn and winter season. The cruise tours will depart from Shekou and travel to destinations such as Naha, Ishigaki and Miyako-jima in Japan, Chan May in Vietnam, and China’s Hong Kong.

A view of Shekou port.

A senior manager from Shanghai Blue Dream was quoted by Chinese-language newspapers in Shenzhen as saying that a shift in the company's focus to South China was a strategic response to market demand and a way to pursue product innovation and service enhancements.

"We look forward to promoting the high-quality development of cruise culture by employing a differentiated development strategy in the GBA," said the manager, who wasn’t identified.

Cruise tourism has emerged as an increasingly popular travel option in the country, indicating rapid growth in China’s cruise industry. Statistics from the Ministry of Transportation show that the number of tourists participating in cruises during the first quarter of this year exceeded 190,000, surpassing the total for all of last year. In addition, the total of cruise tourists in the second quarter jumped by 60% from the previous quarter.