Luxury cruise ship docks at both Zhoushan and Wenzhou ports in Zhejiang

The CM-Viking cruise under the escort of the maritime patrol vessel Haixun 0731. （Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）

On the morning of Sept 12, a luxury cruise ship CM-Viking carrying over 600 international and domestic passengers docked at the Zhoushan Archipelago International Cruise Port.

Later that day, at 10 pm, the ship set sail again for the Wenzhou Zhuangyuanao Archipelago International Cruise Port, embarking on a two-day tour of Zhejiang's islands. This marks the first cruise to dock at both Zhoushan and Wenzhou this year, which have recently been designated as visa-free ports of entry for cruise passengers. This also signifies a new era of development for Zhejiang's cruise tourism industry.

Since the cruise economy began to recover last year, China's cruise tourism market has shown tremendous potential. In the first half of 2024 alone, the number of cruise passengers reached 500,000, with the second quarter seeing a 60 percent increase over the first quarter, highlighting a strong recovery trend.

The CM-Viking cruise under the escort of the maritime patrol vessel Haixun 0731. （Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）

To further promote the cruise tourism industry and its economic benefits, Zhoushan and Wenzhou were added to the list of visa-free cruise ports in May this year. The arrival of CM-Viking cruise in both cities marks the resurgence of Zhejiang's marine tourism economy.

Shui Ting, the general manager of CM-Viking cruise, said: "As the first luxury cruise ship flying the five-star red flag, we've pioneered many industry firsts. We are the first to bring international tourists back into China after the pandemic, allowing them to deeply experience China's rich cultural heritage and its diverse landscapes. The cruise route begins in Shanghai and travels through Zhejiang's Zhoushan and Wenzhou before reaching Shenzhen, operating a dual-homeport model. In Shenzhen, we will pick up another group of passengers and retrace the route back to Shanghai."

The CM-Viking cruise under the escort of the maritime patrol vessel Haixun 0731. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn）

The arrival of the cruise ship is an important opportunity for the development of Zhejiang's marine and shipping economy. However, with cruise ships carrying thousands of passengers and the peak fishing season in Zhejiang's coastal waters overlapping, there are navigational safety challenges. The cruise ship's north-south route intersects with the east-west routes of fishing vessels, posing potential risks.

"The healthy development of the cruise market relies on the safety and security of the navigational environment," said Zhang Bingqiang, deputy director of the Ship Department of Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration. "We convened a pre-cruise safety assessment meeting with relevant departments to review potential risks along Zhejiang's coastline. We guided the cruise line on conducting safety checks, personnel training, and improving contingency plans."

The CM-Viking cruise under the escort of the maritime patrol vessel Haixun 0731. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

To ensure the safe, efficient, and timely entry and exit of the cruise ship, Zhejiang Maritime Department developed a tailored tracking and support plan for the CM-Viking cruise. They proactively coordinated customs clearance and other operational needs.

Wang Haitao, captain of the Ma Zhi Maritime Patrol Law Enforcement Team from Shenjiamen Maritime Safety Department in Zhoushan, said, "To guarantee the efficient, safe, and timely operations of the cruise ship, we created a 'green channel' for priority processing of relevant procedures. We also utilized patrol boats, drones, and the smart maritime control platform to monitor and support the ship's journey along Zhejiang's coast, ensuring all passengers have a safe and enjoyable experience."

The CM-Viking cruise primarily enjoyed Zhejiang's island culture. In Zhoushan, passengers experienced the scenic beauty of Nansha, Wushitang, and Shenjiamen Fishing Port. In Wenzhou, they immersed themselves in the unique fishing culture of Dongtou and toured the breathtaking landscapes of Yandang Mountain. This culturally rich journey left a lasting impression on visitors from around the world.