The Spring Festival is the most important traditional holiday for Chinese people, and more and more Chinese families are choosing to spend this special time aboard cruises. During the holiday, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal saw a surge in cruise tourism.

From January 28 to February 4, five international cruises launched nine voyages from Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, with over 60,000 tourists embarking on international cruises, a significant year-on-year increase of 275%. This set a new record for the highest number of cruise voyages and passengers during the Spring Festival at the terminal.

In recent years, cruise tourism has become a popular choice during the Spring Festival thanks to improved living standards and new travel trends. Unlike traditional family reunions or visiting relatives, more and more families are choosing to spend the holiday on a cruise. This allows them to enjoy exotic cultures, experience the rich onboard entertainment, and embrace a different kind of festive atmosphere.

“Spending the holiday on a cruise not only helps you avoid the domestic crowds but also allows you to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the sea, and experience foreign landscapes. It’s truly a brand-new experience,” said an excited passenger about to board. Cruises offer not only a variety of entertainment and cuisine but also breathtaking sunrises and sunsets at sea, providing a holiday ambiance that is entirely different from land-based celebrations.

To ensure safe and orderly cruise operations during the Spring Festival, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal implemented multiple proactive measures and made careful preparations to guarantee a convenient and safe journey for passengers. Besides, the terminal strengthened communication and coordination with port authorities, cruise companies, and agents, to ensure punctual cruise arrivals and departures.

To enhance the passenger experience, the terminal efficiently organized the boarding and disembarking process. Additionally, the port enhanced traffic management, proactively gathering information on passenger arrival and departure details to provide sufficient shuttle buses to and from the subway station and optimizing port area resources to ensure orderly vehicle parking. Besides, collaboration with law enforcement agencies supported the safe and efficient clearance of passengers during the holiday.

To bring the festive vibe to cruises, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal carefully designed the atmosphere of the port area. The passenger terminal and gangway were decorated with a snake-themed display featuring “Chinese red”, adorned with Chinese knots, red lanterns, and other traditional decorations to create a joyful and peaceful holiday atmosphere so that visitors could feel the strong festive cheer before boarding.

On one hand, more and more foreign tourists are choosing to take cruises to China during the Spring Festival, with Shanghai becoming their top travel destination. On the other hand, more than 60,000 domestic tourists opted to take cruises abroad for the holiday, enjoying the exotic atmosphere. This travel trend not only reflects the shift in Chinese tourists’ consumption but also demonstrates the thriving development of China’s cruise market.

Whether indulging in serene ocean views or experiencing exotic cultural charms, cruise tourism offers travelers a novel way to celebrate Chinese New Year. With the continuous development of Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, more tourists are expected to choose this unique Spring Festival celebration at sea in the future.