Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, operated by China Merchants Group, welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in a single day as two major international cruise ships docked at the port on March 16.
Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal welcomed a record number of foreign tourists in a single day as two major international cruise ships docked at the port. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
The ships, AIDAstella of AIDA Cruises and Spectrum of the Seas belonging to Royal Caribbean International, brought nearly 4,800 foreign visitors to Shanghai, marking the highest single-day arrival of international visitors since the terminal opened in 2011.
To mark the occasion, the terminal hosted a grand welcome ceremony featuring dragon and lion dances, pipa music and intangible cultural heritage showcases. Special service counters were set up in the arrival hall to provide foreign visitors with easy access to currency exchange, SIM card purchases and multilingual assistance.
Making its debut in Shanghai, the AIDAstella has a gross tonnage of 71,304 tons and can accommodate up to 2,700 passengers. This particular 14-day voyage starts from Bangkok and stops at Vietnam, Japan, and the Chinese ports of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Shanghai.
Capitalizing on China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal is actively attracting world-renowned cruise brands, reinforcing its position as a leading gateway for inbound cruise tourism. The port is establishing a two-way international travel model, encouraging visitors to “sail to Shanghai” and “depart from Shanghai” by cruise.
To strengthen its global competitiveness, the terminal has implemented a series of service enhancements. It has introduced innovative “fast-track customs clearance” procedures in collaboration with port authorities, leveraging digital solutions to reduce passenger processing times. Additionally, it has upgraded multilingual navigation systems, cross-border payment services and other traveler amenities to ensure a seamless experience for foreign visitors.
These efforts are positioning Shanghai as a key player in the global cruise economy, creating a high-quality platform for international cultural and tourism exchange.
(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)
