Following the success of China's first cruise beer festival that ran from July 20 to 29, the Dream cruise ship will return to Qingdao Cruise Homeport in mid-August with new routes and upgraded experiences. The festival, part of the 36th Qingdao International Beer Festival, allowed visitors to enjoy the 77,500-metric-ton luxury cruise without a passport — just a national ID.

The ship will resume offering cruise-type services and experiences while docked at the port from mid-to-late August. It will also add weekend routes to South Korea and a sightseeing route from Qingdao to Shanghai. The static cruise model, a national first, offers overnight accommodations and onboard entertainment without leaving port.

"From cruise operations to the collaboration with Qingdao's beer festival, the city is leading a new model for cruise tourism," said Hao Dongchen from the service bureau of the Qingdao Cruise Homeport.

The Dream features a grand theater, swimming pool, sea-view decks, themed shopping areas, and a family entertainment center. The new program also enhances the synergy between cruise and local tourism by integrating ship tickets into the city's tourism discount network, allowing visitors to enjoy both onboard and off-ship experiences.

The new offerings cater to local residents, out-of-town visitors, and families with varying needs. The cruise will also stop in Dalian in Liaoning province to welcome tourists for on-board experiences while it is stationed there, after completing its international voyage, before returning to Qingdao.

With this innovative model blending luxury cruising with local cultural experiences, Qingdao is setting a new national benchmark for the cruise tourism industry. 

The 77,500-metric-ton cruise ship Dream hosts China's first "cruise beer festival" at Qingdao International Cruise Homeport. [Photo/Guanhai News]