The "Dream" cruise ship left Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Home Port on October 30, opening South China's first pilot cruise-to-nowhere route. Shenzhen is the third port in China to launch such a service, following Shanghai and Tianjin.
A cruise-to-nowhere voyage leaves from a domestic cruise home port, sails entirely in international waters without calling anywhere and returns to where it set out.
Mainland passengers on the Shenzhen service need only a passport to board, with no visa required. Those without a passport can apply for a single-entry and single-exit permit at the Exit-Entry Service Hall under the relevant regulations. All 2,000 tickets sold out shortly after going on sale.
The "Dream" has a gross tonnage of 77,000 tonnes and is 261 meters long. With 15 decks, 1,000 cabins and room for more than 2,000 passengers, the ship has a themed theater, outdoor swimming pools, a gym, family entertainment areas, specialty restaurants and duty-free shops.
The Shenzhen service is a three-day, two-night voyage offering onboard dining, themed performances, leisure activities, swimming, fitness, family entertainment and duty-free shopping, an all-in-one vacation at sea.
Official data show that Guangdong has received 34 cruise ship calls so far this year, with 138,600 passenger trips. The province is also building up its yacht economy, and yacht travel between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao is running smoothly.
Reporter | Dai Bosi
Photo | Department of Transport of Guangdong Province
