The cruise ship Serenade of the Seas arrived at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin on Sunday morning, carrying more than 1,800 tourists from 50 countries and regions.
Operating under the Royal Caribbean Group and registered in the Bahamas, the ship embarks on a 275-day round-the-world cruise, currently the longest of its kind. Tianjin serves as its sole stop in mainland China, as confirmed by the company.
During its two-day, one-night stay in Tianjin, the ship accommodates over 800 crew members and 1,800 tourists, most of whom plan to explore the cities of Beijing and Tianjin.
Local immigration inspection officer Bi Linlin mentioned collaborative efforts with the cruise line and port company to streamline passenger clearance procedures, allowing tourists more time to explore China’s attractions. With China’s cruise industry experiencing rapid recovery, there’s a growing demand among foreign tourists to visit the country’s scenic spots and historic sites.
Liu Zinan, chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Asia, emphasized the company’s commitment to the Chinese market and its dedication to creating value for Chinese consumers, contributing to social and economic development, as well as promoting inbound and outbound travel. He expressed full confidence in the resilience of the Chinese economy.
In March, Royal Caribbean International unveiled its new route deployment plan for China, scheduling two cruises to operate from the ports of Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong. The plan spans from February 2025 to April 2026.
According to Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd., the port has already welcomed 22 cruise ships and hosted 68,000 tourist visits this year. Optimistic about the recovery of the cruise tourism industry in Tianjin, Dong estimated the port to receive 100 cruise ships and 300,000 inbound and outbound tourist visits by year-end.