On December 18, over 2,300 passengers gathered at Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port and embarked on the Adora Mediterranean cruise ship, for a five-day and four-night international cruise traveling from Guangzhou to the Yaeyama Islands and back to Guangzhou.
This was the first voyage of the Adora Mediterranean's Nansha cruise season and also the first cruise ship to operate from Guangzhou's international cruise home port after the port reopened following the pandemic.
By the end of March in 2025, the Adora Mediterranean will operate nearly 30 international cruise routes, covering popular destinations such as Hong Kong, China, Japan, and Vietnam.
"The inaugural voyage was fully booked, which fills us with confidence in the South China market and reinforces our belief in Nansha as the center of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Here, tourists from the South China region can conveniently arrive at this home port with the most advanced international hardware facilities to embark on their cruise journey," said Liu Hui, CEO of Aida Cruises.
Liu Hui also believes that Guangzhou itself is a city rich in history and culture, with a vast economic market and a highly attractive tourist destination. The second domestically produced cruise ship named Adora Flora City will also operate from Nansha after its completion in 2026.
The Adora Mediterranean is 292 meters long, with a gross tonnage of 86,000 tons, 1,057 luxury cabins and suites, and a capacity for 2,680 passengers. During the cruise season in Nansha, the Adora Mediterranean will also integrate Lingnan regional culture to create a series of unique cruise experiences for tourists.
"We have specifically promoted the cruise industry chain in Nansha, and the ship supply session has already connected with more than a dozen local suppliers of vegetables, fruits, and meat in Nansha, so passengers on the Mediterranean can also enjoy seasonal local delicacies," Liu Hui introduced.
According to Liu Hui, besides connecting local goods in Nansha for ship supply products, the Adora Mediterranean has also fully utilized the relevant policies and supporting measures for bonded oil bunkering in Nansha. "Bonded oil bunkering saves tens of dollars per ton, and we bunker thousands of tons each time, which translates to a significant reduction in operating costs for cruise companies," he said.
Nansha Customs, in collaboration with local governments to promote the development of the international cruise industry, has engaged early in aspects such as cruise ship supplies, facilitating cruise ship and passenger entry and exit procedures, and port infrastructure construction. They have refined and optimized related supervision processes to ensure the smooth opening and operation of the Nansha International Cruise Home Port.
Additionally, Nansha Customs, port joint inspection units, cruise ship operators, and shipping agents are also actively exploring passenger disembarkation and embarkation and cargo customs clearance modes for international cruise ships and international ro-ro ships with foreign tourists, with Nansha International Cruise Home Port designated as their initial port of arrival.