The Sapphire Princess will become the largest cruise ship ever to visit the city when it drops by for two days in early April.

The ship, which is about 300 meters long, 18 stories tall and weighs 113,000 tons, will arrive in Shanghai from Thailand on April 5.

To date, some 2,800 passengers are booked on the cruise, according to He Chengming, general manager of the Shanghai International Travel Service, which will set up local tour packages for the passengers.

The ship is scheduled to set out from Bangkok on March 26 for its first Southeast Asia trip, and berth at the Waigaoqiao Dock during its stay in the city.

According to the Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission, the city expects to welcome more than 50 international cruise ships this year, carrying tens of thousands of passengers from across the world.

"These overseas travelers will help boost various business sectors such as tourism, hotels, catering and shopping," said Yao Mingbao, director of the commission.

The Sapphire Princess will visit the city twice this April, and the Diamond Princess, which is almost of the same size and weight, will stop by four times in October and November.

(Shanghai Daily February 28, 2005)