The cruise ship heads towards Xiamen Port. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

The Maltese cruise ship Europa 2 docked at the Xiamen International Cruise Home Port on Feb 18. It is the first cruise ship to visit the Xiamen Port in the Year of the Snake.

Europa 2, part of a global itinerary, is a luxury vessel tailored to the German-speaking market. Carrying over 400 passengers from Germany, Austria, and other countries, it arrived in Xiamen from Halong Bay, Vietnam, and stayed for a day. 

During the port call, passengers and crew disembarked to explore Xiamen, engage in local activities, experience the culture of southern Fujian, and immerse themselves in Chinese traditions.

"Customs clearance was very convenient, and we’re looking forward to a 'Citywalk' in Xiamen," said a German visitor who arrived in Xiamen aboard the cruise ship.

In order to further improve port clearance efficiency, the Gaoqi Border Inspection Station has optimized the entry inspection process by opening up additional verification channels. This allows cruise passengers to undergo inspections upon arrival without having to wait. 

For international passengers arriving on cruise ships, the collection of biometric fingerprint data is waived, maximizing clearance efficiency and allowing passengers to make the most of their valuable time in Xiamen.

Xiamen is well-located in the cross-Strait cruise economic circle and offers a diverse array of cruise routes. With the enhancement of Xiamen Port's services for large, international cruise ships, cruise tourism has become a key highlight of Xiamen's cultural tourism scene.

International tourists on the cruise ship pass through immigration. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]