Pilot cruise attracts record passengers

The 105,000-metric-ton luxury cruise ship Visio. [Photo/WeChat account: tjbhxqfb]

The 105,000-ton luxury cruise ship Visio departed from Tianjin International Cruise Home Port with over 2,700 passengers on Aug 29, marking the launch of northern China's first non-destination sea cruise pilot program.

The first day set a new single-day passenger record for the port in 2026.

The pilot cruise operated two trial voyages on Aug 29 and 31, each offering a three-day, two-night round trip from Tianjin. The ship sails 24 nautical miles beyond China's territorial baseline without calling at any foreign ports, providing a convenient short cruise experience.

Travel documents are simplified — mainland residents need only their passports; Hong Kong and Macao residents can use their Mainland Travel Permits; Taiwan residents can use their Mainland Travel Permits (five-year validity); and foreign nationals can use their passports. No additional exit visas are required.

Onboard amenities include diverse dining, performances, family entertainment, and wellness offerings, emphasizing a relaxed, resort-style experience. Local authorities coordinated full-chain safeguards, with tailored traffic control and real-time vessel tracking.

According to operators, most passengers came from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, with some from Jiangsu and Henan provinces. Nearly 30 percent booked within two weeks before departure, showing strong demand for short weekend cruises. Families dominated the passenger mix, along with some corporate team-building groups.

Going forward, Tianjin will use market feedback from the pilot program to improve its cruise offerings and introduce more diverse and customized itineraries.