A Chinese cruise brand has embarked on a 33-day Southeast Asia voyage from a domestic port, signaling the resurgence of China's cruise tourism market and enhancing its global standing. This launch addresses a gap in long-haul options for domestic cruise lines.
Blue Dream Cruises will commence the 33-night Southeast Asia voyage on November 26, departing from Shanghai and visiting 15 ports across 10 countries and regions. With fares starting at 32,640 yuan (US$4,570), passengers will have the opportunity to explore 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites along the route.
This development leverages visa-free policies in several Southeast Asian countries and underscores the capacity of Chinese cruise lines to design and operate extended itineraries, according to Xu Ying, general manager of Blue Dream Cruises. Xu stated that most domestic cruise itineraries span 4 to 6 days and primarily focus on ports in Japan and Korea, leading to intensified competition. In response, the brand is introducing mid-length itineraries ranging from one week to 10+ days and is launching its first 33-night voyage.
The voyage employs a smaller vessel with a capacity of 1500 passengers, which allows access to a broader range of ports without the limitations larger ships might encounter.
Nearly one-third of the tickets for the 33-night cruise have already been sold, with most passengers aged between 45 and 70. The voyage has also attracted overseas Chinese looking to retrace their ancestral routes to Southeast Asia.
Blue Dream Cruises' initiative is part of a broader trend, as Chinese cruise companies like Adora Cruises also expand their presence in the long-haul market. Adora Cruises launched a 13-day Southeast Asia itinerary in July, departing from Xiamen on December 6, and plans to begin South and Southeast Asia routes from Guangzhou in 2027 with its second domestically built cruise ship, scheduled for delivery in 2026.
Data from the Chinese Ministry of Transport indicates that ~500,000 passengers traveled on 23 cruise ships in the first half of this year, marking a recovery to over half of 2019 levels, with passenger numbers in the second quarter increasing by ~60% compared to the first quarter.