Public invited to experience cruise ship

More than 100 influencers and guests had an up-close encounter with the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship while it was moored at the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport in Shekou on Monday. The Shanghai Blue Dream International Cruises Holding hosted an open-cruise event between Oct. 11 and Oct. 14 to engage with residents of Shenzhen and its neighboring cities.

The entrance to the gym of the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship. Li Dan

The cruise ship departed from Shekou on Sept. 26, beginning the first ever Shenzhen Season. This two-month cruise season is offering voyages from the Shekou Cruise Homeport to destinations like Naha, Ishigaki, and Miyako-jima in Japan, Chan May in Vietnam, and China’s Hong Kong.

Tong Jianfeng, general manager of the cruise company, said that the open-cruise event is intended to get local partners more involved in the company’s growth and introduce more locals to the concept of a cruise vacation.

Invited guests were taken on a guided tour of the cruise ship and enjoyed a song and dance show in its theater.

The Blue Dream Melody, featuring 609 cabins and a guest capacity of 1,500, is a medium-sized cruise ship with modern decor. Paintings, sculptures, and installations are found throughout its restaurants, corridors, and even in unexpected corners of its public spaces.

Equipped with a gym, a pool on the deck, and a theater for live performances or movie screenings, the ship promises a relaxing and health-conscious vacation experience. It also boasts restaurants, cafes, bars, lounges, and a kid’s club where children can engage in fun activities and courses.

“To cater to the specific preferences of clients from Guangdong Province, we have enlisted local chefs who speak Cantonese and prepare authentic Cantonese cuisine,” said Joanna Feng, a staffer at the event.

Following the conclusion of the Shenzhen Season, the Blue Dream Melody will return to Shanghai. Subsequently, the ship will embark on an epic 33-day tour on Nov. 26, visiting 15 ports in 10 Asian countries.

Official data from the Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau indicate that the city is projected to handle a total of 116,500 cruise passengers this year, a 550% year-on-year increase from last year. Approximately 27 cruises will depart from the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport this year, and three international cruise ships will stop at the port.