Embracing the Dragon: Port of Hualien’s 2024 Cruise Travel Season Off to a Roaring Start
Reflecting the overall post-pandemic rebound of Taiwan’s cruise industry, Port of Hualien hosted a total of seven cruise ship calls carrying 16,845 passengers during last year’s (2023) cruise travel season. This year has gotten off to an even stronger start with 13 cruise ship visits carrying an estimated 31,200 passengers already scheduled to call at Hualien in 2024. Port of Hualien and relevant government agencies have already completed the preparations necessary to welcome the nearly 90% bump in passenger arrivals expected this year and to give all an exceptional experience while at the port.
Port of Hualien celebrated the start of the lunar “Year of the Dragon” by welcoming three cruise ship arrivals over three consecutive days, bringing a combined total of 7,995 passengers to the port. MS Riviera, operated by Oceania Cruises, made its maiden call at Hualien on February 29th, followed by respective visits by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)’s Norwegian Jewel and Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony on March 1st and 2nd. Other calls currently scheduled for the 2024 cruise travel season include Holland America’s MS Westerdam (March 21st), Cunard Line’s MS Queen Elizabeth (April 10th), NCL’s Norwegian Spirit (four visits: June 4th, September 23rd, December 18th, and December 23rd), Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess (June 26th), MOL Cruises’ Nippon Maru (September 22nd), Coral Expeditions’ Coral Geographer (October 23rd), and NCL’s Norwegian Sun (December 20th). In addition to the MS Riviera, three cruise ships, including Norwegian Spirit, Coral Geographer, and Norwegian Sun, will also be making maiden calls at Hualien this year on June 4th, October 23rd, and December 20th, respectively. Port of Hualien has plans at the ready to “roll out the red carpet” for each arrival, with water salutes during entry, souvenir plaques and gifts for maiden visits, and welcome performances.
TIPC paid visits to cruise ship operator offices in Southeast Asia, Europe and Japan to promote Taiwan as a destination in late 2021 and launched an incentive program in 2023 covering discounts on port dockage and passenger-service fees as well as incentives for multiple visits. Looking to continue the positive momentum, TIPC this year has continued the incentive program for another year. Also, on January 22nd of this year, Port of Hualien partnered with the Hualien County Government at the Asia Archipelago Cruise Alliance (AACA) Taiwan Event to introduce Hualien’s multifaceted tourist attractions to the assembled cruise ship company representatives, aiming to attract even more interest in Hualien as a cruise destination.
Provided by：Port Business Dept., Port of Hualien, TIPC
Contact Person：Peggy Tsai, Manager
Telephone No.：03-8325131-2421
E-mail Address：peggy627@twport.com.tw