Wusong?Port in Baoshan District will open its first cruise route on July 24, officials said yesterday.

The Shanghai to Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, route will be relaunched after having been suspended for about 10 years, according to the Baoshan District Tourism Administration. Tourists are expected to enjoy both the service on the ship and the scenery along the way.

"Xianni" will service the route. The vessel has a capacity for 280 passengers and includes 10 luxury suites. The ship will also organize entertainment for passengers along the journey, officials said.

"Tourists can choose to stop in several cities such as Nanjing and Yangzhou along the Yangtze River," said Yan Lilun, director of the administration. "Or they can choose to go direct to Jiujiang."

More routes, such as from Shanghai to Chongqing, will open if the Shanghai-Jiujiang tour proves successful.

The Wusong Port Passenger Transport Center will also provide local ferries to the nearby islands of Chongming, Hengsha and Changxing, officials said.

District officials are talking with cruise ship companies to attract ships weighing more than 100,000 tons to the port, and to develop international routes. Companies such as Royal Caribbean and Star Cruises were mentioned as potential partners.

Yan also said since Wusong Port had deep water it would be able to handle big ships.

(Shanghai Daily July 15, 2009)