The cruise ship "Seven Seas Explorer" departed from Hongkou North Bund International Passenger Terminal under the escort of the maritime authorities on February 27, marking the second cruise ship welcomed by the North Bund within a week.
Belonging to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the "Seven Seas Explorer" is renowned as the world's most luxurious cruise ship, with all its rooms being balcony suites. The ship's interior is lavishly furnished, featuring 218 dazzling crystal chandeliers and 2,500 genuine art pieces by artists like Picasso and Chagall.
Following the Chinese Lunar New Year, the cruise tourism sector has seen a robust resurgence. A week earlier, the "Europa" cruise ship inaugurated the new cruise season at Hongkou North Bund.
March is expected to witness eight cruise ships docking at North Bund, signaling this year's first peak season. Among the visiting vessels are the "AIDAbella," known as the "Goddess of Cruise Ships," and the "Atania," a world cruise ship, both highly regarded in the cruise community. The "Century Legend" is the first inland cruise ship to dock at North Bund in the Year of the Dragon.
To prepare for the upcoming surge in cruise arrivals, the Huangpu Maritime Bureau has devised individualized plans for each vessel to ensure safety and punctuality.
Enhanced communication and coordination with relevant parties, such as the ship operators, terminals, pilots, and tugboats, are part of the effort to guarantee smooth operations.
Detailed plans consider factors like the ship's schedule, weather, and river traffic to ensure a safe entry into the port. Advanced monitoring techniques, including drones, patrol boats, and electronic cruising, are employed to maintain strict control over ship movements, ensuring ample space in the waterway for the cruise ships to dock on time.
The "Promotion of High-Quality Development of the International Cruise Economy in Shanghai (2023-2025)" plan emphasizes the development of a synergistic operation of "boutique cruises, river cruises, and leisure yachts" at North Bund.
To attract more domestic and international visitors to North Bund, known as the "world-class parlor," efforts will continue to expand the range of cruise products, attract premium cruise lines, and increase port of call routes, the Hongkou government said.
According to the 2024 Hongkou District Government Work Report, this year will see the enhancement of the International Passenger Center's boutique cruise homeport functions, the aggregation of cruise headquarters, the expansion of cruise service trade, and the growth of cruise consumption.
The acceleration of the cruise market's recovery brings more cruise ships back to North Bund, not only enriching the scenery along the Huangpu River but also serving as a testament to the continuous development of Hongkou's cruise industry, the district government said.