The cruise ship Adora Mediterranea departs on April 1 from Xiamen International Cruise Home Port. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The cruise ship Adora Mediterranea, carrying over 1,400 passengers, departed on April 1 from Xiamen International Cruise Home Port, marking the start of Xiamen Port's 2026 cruise season and the port's first "Maritime Silk Road" cruise route of the year.

The maiden voyage lasts six days and five nights, traveling to Manila and Boracay before returning, allowing passengers to cruise the azure spring seas and soak up the tropical charm of Southeast Asia.

Passengers board the cruise ship. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

Streamlined customs clearance, featuring "one-time inspection" and "seamless clearance", as well as the onboard dining, has become highlights of this year's maiden voyage.

The spring season offers itineraries from five to 13 days, covering popular Southeast Asian destinations such as the Philippines, Brunei, and Singapore. Among them, the nine-day, eight-night special route debuting on April 10 connects Manila and Coron in the Philippines with Hue in Vietnam, offering passengers a diverse taste of Maritime Silk Road cultures in a single voyage.

In the second half of the year, the Adora Mediterranea will operate two long-haul routes from Xiamen. The classic five-country route of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, which has always sold out early and has become a signature of Xiamen's cruise tourism, will depart on Nov 8, offering passengers a taste of diverse cultures.

The first 20-day Nanyang (Southeast Asia) deep-cruise route will then set sail on Nov 30, linking five countries and eight ports, including multiple UNESCO sites and cultural landmarks, for a one-of-a-kind immersive journey.