Core Insights - The number of foreign passengers traveling in and out of Shanghai via cruise ships from January to September 2025 has increased by over 70% compared to the same period last year [1] - Various visa exemption policies have been implemented to lower the entry barriers for foreign travelers, promoting the "air + cruise" travel model to China [1] - The Shanghai cruise port is expected to see 12 cruise ship arrivals and departures during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, with approximately 44,000 passengers [1] Summary by Sections Passenger Growth - The influx of foreign travelers through Shanghai's cruise port has surged, with a reported increase of over 70% year-on-year from January to September 2025 [1] Travel Model - The "air + cruise" travel model allows foreign travelers greater flexibility in their itineraries, eliminating the need for prior visa arrangements [1] - Many foreign travelers are extending their stay in Shanghai and surrounding cities by utilizing visa-free periods before and after their cruise journeys [1] Cruise Operations - On October 1, three cruise ships docked at Shanghai, with an expected total of over 20,000 passengers entering and exiting throughout the day [1] - The cruise port is actively managing resources to minimize passenger waiting times and enhance customs efficiency [1]

Core Insights - The "Spectrum of the Seas" cruise ship docked in Shanghai with over 4,600 passengers, marking the first time since the resumption of international cruises that foreign passengers exceeded half of the total [1] - The foreign passengers came from over 40 countries and regions, with Russia, the UK, and Australia being the top three sources; Russian passengers accounted for more than one-third of the total [2] - The introduction of a unilateral visa exemption policy for Russian passport holders has facilitated travel, allowing them to enter China for business, tourism, family visits, and exchanges without prior visa arrangements [2] - The 240-hour transit visa exemption policy continues to provide benefits, significantly lowering entry barriers and stimulating travel interest among foreign tourists [4] - The combination of air and cruise travel is becoming increasingly popular, with a reported 77% year-on-year increase in foreign tourists arriving in China and taking cruises from January 1 to September 18, 2025 [4] - Shanghai border inspection authorities are optimizing port clearance processes to support the rapid recovery and high-quality development of the cruise economy, implementing measures to reduce clearance times [5] - The "onboard inspection" model allows passengers to disembark immediately upon docking, and foreign passengers are exempt from fingerprint collection when entering via cruise [5][6]

Group 1 - The total number of cruise ships entering and exiting Shanghai from January 1 to August 10, 2025, exceeded 390, with a total of over 1.25 million passengers, representing an increase of approximately 52.7% and 51.1% compared to the same period in 2024 [1][2] - Compared to the same period in 2019, the number of inbound and outbound passengers increased by about 9.1% [1] - Major cruise ships currently operating from Shanghai include "Aida·Magic City," "Spectrum of the Seas," and "Mediterranean Glory," with routes covering ports in Jeju, South Korea, and Okinawa, Japan [1] Group 2 - As of now, 55 countries are eligible for the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, and 46 countries are eligible for China's unilateral visa-free policy [2] - The implementation of various policies, including visa exemptions for foreign tourist groups arriving by cruise, has created a comprehensive facilitation framework for inbound travel, attracting more international travelers to choose the "flight + cruise" combination [2] - On August 2, the "Spectrum of the Seas" cruise ship arrived with over 5,000 passengers, including more than 1,600 foreign travelers from over 50 countries, accounting for over 31% of the total [2]

Core Points - The simultaneous docking of three large cruise ships at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal marks a significant milestone in the resumption of operations, with over 22,000 inbound and outbound passenger trips recorded, setting a new single-day record since the terminal's reopening [1][3][4] Group 1: Cruise Operations - Costa Cruises' "Sirenna" returns to China, launching the country's first "multi-homeport" route, allowing passengers to board in Shanghai, Fukuoka, and Jeju [3] - Royal Caribbean's "Spectrum of the Seas" continues to attract tourists with its advanced facilities and luxury vacation experiences [3] - AIDA Cruises' "Aida Luna" introduces a summer theme event, "Nezha's Sea Adventure," enhancing the cultural experience for visitors [3] Group 2: Future Developments - MSC Mediterranean Cruise's "Glory" will return to the terminal on July 13, featuring the first-ever sea LEGO cruise in mainland China, operating for three months [3] - AIDA's "Aida Luna" will launch a 9-day, 8-night summer cruise to Japan and South Korea on July 24, offering a deep dive into the region's scenic beauty [3] - The terminal is expected to host over 230 cruise ship arrivals throughout the year, indicating a robust recovery in the cruise industry [3] Group 3: Industry Impact - The presence of internationally recognized cruise brands enhances Shanghai's status as a leading cruise homeport in China, promoting inbound tourism [4] - The recent cruise industry promotion event in Miami aimed to boost Shanghai's global recognition and foster international collaboration in the cruise sector [4] - Future investments will focus on enhancing partnerships with international cruise brands, diversifying cruise offerings, and improving the overall tourist experience in Shanghai [4]

Group 1 - The Shanghai cruise market has shown significant growth in early 2025, with approximately 230 cruise entries and exits and around 880,000 passengers, representing increases of 105.3% and 78.2% respectively compared to the same period last year [1][2] - The Shanghai border inspection station has facilitated over 48,000 foreign travelers, with about 20,000 benefiting from visa-free policies, enhancing the travel experience [1] - The introduction of innovative tourism service models by cruise companies, such as the "Aida·Magic City" cruise focusing on cultural experiences and the "Spectrum of the Seas" cruise combining air travel with cruising, has attracted more international travelers [1] Group 2 - The development of composite tourism products like "Cruise+" has rapidly advanced the Shanghai cruise economy, positively impacting surrounding tourism, hotel, and dining industries [2] - During the upcoming May Day holiday, the Shanghai cruise port is expected to experience a peak in passenger flow, with over 10 cruise entries and exits and an estimated 37,000 travelers from May 1 to May 5 [2] - The Shanghai border inspection station plans to dynamically adjust personnel deployment and optimize customs processes to ensure smooth and safe operations during the holiday peak [2]