The majestic Serenade of the Seas, a splendid cruise ship registered in the Bahamas and operated by Royal Caribbean Group, arrived at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port early Sunday morning. This arrival marks a significant highlight for the port city of Tianjin, located in northern China, as the ship brought with it over 1,800 tourists hailing from 50 different countries and regions.
This remarkable journey on the Serenade of the Seas is part of the longest round-the-world cruise route currently available, spanning 275 days. The stop in Tianjin is the vessel’s only visit to the Chinese mainland during its voyage, emphasizing the city’s importance as a key destination in the global cruise industry.
The vessel plans to spend two luxurious days and one night docked in Tianjin. It carries not just the passengers, but also over 800 dedicated crew members, all ready to explore the cultural richness of China. The itinerary for most of these international visitors includes sightseeing adventures in both Tianjin and the capital city, Beijing.
Local authorities are taking significant steps to accommodate these international guests. “We work with the cruise line and the port company to streamline passenger clearance procedures and let them have more time to travel in China,” stated Bi Linlin, a local immigration inspection officer. Bi’s statement reflects the broader goal of leveraging the rapidly recovering Chinese cruise industry to fulfill the growing demand from foreign tourists eager to visit China’s scenic spots and historic landmarks.
Liu Zinan, the chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Asia, expressed unwavering commitment to the Chinese market. “We always stick to the Chinese market, and we are committed to creating value for Chinese consumers, social and economic development, as well as inbound and outbound travel. We have full confidence in the resilience of the Chinese economy,” Liu mentioned, signaling a bright future for cruise tourism in the region.
Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean International has unveiled a new deployment plan for the China route. This ambitious plan involves deploying two cruise ships across the ports of Shanghai, Tianjin, and Hong Kong between February 2025 and April 2026, showcasing the long-term commitment of the cruise operator to the Chinese market.
So far this year, the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port has extended a warm welcome to 22 cruise ships, facilitating 68,000 tourist visits. Dong Zichen, deputy general manager of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co., Ltd., shared an optimistic outlook on the future of cruise tourism in Tianjin. “We are quite optimistic about the recovery of the cruise tourism industry in Tianjin,” Dong said. He further anticipated that the port is on track to receive 100 cruise ships and welcome 300,000 inbound and outbound tourist visits this year, signaling a significant resurgence in the industry.
The Serenade of the Seas’ stopover in Tianjin not only marks a pivotal moment for the city’s tourism sector but also underscores the global cruise industry’s growing connection with China. This event represents a bridge between cultures, allowing thousands of international tourists to explore the rich heritage and modern marvels of China, thus fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation across borders.
