Three years and more than 1,110 days later, China's cruise industry
finally reopened when the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
welcomed its first cruise ship.
CM-Yidun, operated by China Merchants Viking Cruises, sailed off on
Sunday, 26 March, marking the rebound of Shanghai's domestic cruise
tours.
The domestic cruise ship is operating five-day coastal cruises to
Zhoushan, Xiamen, and Shenzhen round-tripping to Shanghai. The cruise
route is the only one permitted by China's Ministry of Transport in its
bid to develop high-quality domestic cruise tourism routes.
Shanghai is also striving to become the first cruise port in the
country to resume international routes, which is expected before the end
of the third quarter, according to local port officials.
In Greater China, Hong Kong has already resumed its cruise industry
and international cruise ships began operating and calling at the city
since earlier this year.