Accompanied by the melodic sound of its horn, the prodigal traveller who has been frequently seen at Qingdao's coastline for three consecutive years—the Adora Mediterranea—arrived at Qingdao International Cruise Homeport with over 2,000 passengers, officially launching a new season of the Cruise+Shandong and Cruise+Qingdao travel experience. This marks the ship's first call to Qingdao in 2025 and the beginning of its first three summer sailings of the year, during which nearly 8,000 travelers are set to enjoy a romantic and luxurious cruise vacation—further fueling Qingdao's growing popularity as a cruise tourist destination.

Nicknamed the Ship of Art, the Adora Mediterranea stretches 292 meters in length, with a gross tonnage of 86,000. It can accommodate up to 2,680 passengers in 1,057 luxurious staterooms and suites. Drawing inspiration from Mediterranean civilization, the ship's design features oil paintings, sculptures, and reliefs throughout, offering guests an immersive and authentic Mediterranean ambiance. 2025 marks the third consecutive year the Adora Mediterranea has operated from Qingdao. Last year, it set a record in the city with an average occupancy rate of 90%, reaching 99% during the Qingming Festival. This year, it continues to perform strongly, with all three May sailings selling out two weeks in advance. Following the high-profile debut of China's first domestically built large cruise ship—the Adora Magic City—in Qingdao this April, the city's cruise tourism sector is experiencing renewed momentum. The Adora Mediterranea is set to return again in September, with 3 additional autumn sailings planned to meet growing market demand and sustain Qingdao's rising cruise travel enthusiasm.

According to reports, most of the over 2,000 tourists who arrived at Qingdao International Cruise Homeport on May 14 are from China's southwestern provinces, including Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing. For many, this cruise represents their first visit to Qingdao or Shandong. Passengers will embark on 1- to 3-day shore excursions in the city, visiting popular sites such as May Fourth Square, Zhanqiao Pier, the Taidong commercial district, the Tsingtao Brewery Museum, Badaguan Scenic Area, and Mount Laoshan. After their time in Qingdao, tourists will continue on to other destinations across Shandong, including Weihai, Jinan, Qingzhou, Qufu, Tai’an, and Rizhao. These land tours will span 5 to 8 days, with eight different itineraries available. "This is my first time in Qingdao. I've always dreamed of seeing the sea here and tasting the city's beer and seafood. Arriving by cruise makes it even more special—I'm really looking forward to the journey ahead!" exclaims Ms. Zhang, a traveler from Kunming, Yunnan, with excitement.

To ensure a more enjoyable and seamless experience for visitors, the Qingdao International Cruise Port Services Authority has proactively coordinated with cruise lines and travel agencies to better understand passenger preferences. Based on this research and the city's most popular attractions, they have developed a range of innovative shore excursion products—including the Trendy Coastal One-Day Tour, the In-Depth Two-Day Experience, and the Classic Three-Day Shandong Tour—as part of the broader Cruise City and Cruise+Shandong tourism offerings. These curated itineraries not only enhance the appeal of cruise travel but also cater to travelers' growing demand for personalized, high-quality experiences. In doing so, they help unlock greater consumer spending potential, stimulate cultural and tourism consumption, and support the continued upgrading of Shandong and Qingdao's cultural tourism industries.