On March 6, the Dream cruise departed from the Pingtan International Cruise Center. [Photo by Jiang Xinheng]

On the afternoon on March 6, the Dream international cruise, carrying 1,334 passengers, set sail from the Pingtan International Cruise Center, embarking on a three-day and two-night journey to Ishigaki-jima, Japan. This marked the opening of the first international cruise route with Pingtan in East China's Fujian province as its homeport.

Chen Shuxin, born in the 2,000s, accompanied her grandmother aboard the cruise - it was their first trip abroad together. She expressed her excitement, stating, "Long-distance travel can be physically demanding for the elderly, but I wanted to show her some beautiful scenery, so I chose this international cruise." Chen is particularly looking forward to the amenities provided on the cruise, such as rooms with bathtubs and theaters.

Meanwhile, Lin Yiyao, who works in the tourism industry in Xiamen, is traveling with friends and is especially eager to try the food on the cruise. "This is my first time taking a cruise abroad, and I feel that the overall experience is very smooth," Lin remarked. He expressed his hope that more international cruise routes will open up in the future in Pingtan, so that he and his friends can explore various destinations around the world.

The Dream cruise boasts a total tonnage of 77,499 metric tons, 15 decks, and 1,008 guest rooms. The cruise plans to carry out five voyages to Japan and South Korea with Pingtan as its home port.

This cruise further enriches the tourism offerings on Pingtan, contributing to the island's development into an international tourism island.