After 3 Years Since COVID-19... Cruise Ships Resume Docking in Busan

Busan City will resume international cruise ship arrivals, which had been temporarily banned since February 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections through the port, starting this March after a three-year hiatus.

Beginning with the arrival of the AMADEA (Amadea, 29,000 tons, approximately 600 passengers) in Busan on March 15, more than 80 international cruise ship calls are expected throughout the year.

The AMADEA ship, scheduled for the first arrival reception event of the year in Busan, commemorating the resumption of cruise arrivals at berth No. 2 of Busan Port International Passenger Terminal on the 15th.

Despite the cruise ship arrival ban that lasted until last year, Busan City was able to attract over 80 cruise ship calls this year alone by conducting sales calls and Busan port tourism familiarization tours targeting numerous cruise lines, travel agencies, and related organizations and industries.

On the 15th, upon the arrival of the AMADEA (berthing around 8 a.m.), Busan Tourism Association will hold a special welcoming event to commemorate the resumption of cruise arrivals, including ▲presentation of commemorative plaques to the captain, crew, and passengers to welcome them to Busan and to wish for the hosting of the 2030 World Expo ▲performance by the Navy military band ▲traditional performances such as fan dance and ogomu dance.

Additionally, on June 1, Panstar Enterprise, part of the Panstar Group headquartered in Busan, will operate an international cruise ship (Costa Serena, 114,261 tons, 1,200 crew members, 3,000 passengers) with Busan as its homeport and Japan as a port of call.

This marks the first nationwide case since the outbreak of COVID-19 where domestic passengers board a cruise ship at a domestic port to travel overseas, and another voyage with the same vessel is planned on June 24, also departing from Busan as the homeport.

A city official stated, “The cruise market, which had been somewhat in a phase of adjustment due to COVID-19, is now expected to continue growing,” adding, “We plan to actively continue efforts to attract cruise ships, including participating in ‘Seatrade Cruise Global 2023’ (the world’s largest cruise B2B exhibition) held in Fort Lauderdale, USA, from March 27 to 30.”