Cruise ship port calls hit a new high  Hualien Port welcomes the arrival of Costa Serena

▲ The Chinese cruise ship Costa Serena has significantly increased the number of voyages to Taiwan in recent years. (Photo provided by Mr. Chen, a member of the public)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive report

The Chinese cruise ship Costa Serena, which travels between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, arrived at Hualien Port today (June 25) carrying more than 1,600 mainland tourists, becoming the last tourist cruise to visit Hualien Port in the first half of this year. Compared to last year when only a handful of visits were made to Taiwan, the number of Costa Serena’s island-looping voyages has increased to 14 this year. It has also introduced a “Keelung–Taichung–Kaohsiung–Hualien” itinerary for travel across Taiwan from north to south.

The Hualien Port Branch stated that since January this year, a total of 32 international passenger ship calls have docked at Hualien Port, far exceeding the 20 ship calls accumulated throughout last year. In the future, the surrounding area of Hualien Port will also enhance accommodation reception capacity and develop recreational tourism infrastructure, adding more enjoyment to travel at Hualien Port.