Royal Caribbean gets permission to sail to Taiwan
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has been granted approval by the Chinese authorities to operate chartered cruises from Shanghai to Taiwan on Legend of the Seas.
It will be allowed to operate six cruises between March 14 and April 19.
This makes Royal Caribbean Cruise Line the first international cruise company to be specially approved by the Chinese government to provide chartered cruise services within China’s territory.
The planned itineraries last for six nights and seven days, featuring Taiwan’s Hualien, Keelung and Taichung as ports of call.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s managing director for China Dr Liu Zinan said: “Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is very pleased with this chance to contribute to the peace and exchange between the people of both straits.
“Due to our global strategies and the strong demand from other markets, even though Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is not able to fully satisfy its customer’s needs for chartered cruises in China, this has shown us the huge potential of the Chinese market.â€
Legend of the Seas will also operate a five-night North Asian itinerary on April 19 2009 sailing from Shanghai to Fukuoka and Busan.
Following this Asian season, Legend of the Seas will return to Asia in November 2009 sailing a series of five to seven-night cruises from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season