Shanghai’s North Bund welcomed two luxury calls last week , with the vast majority of passengers benefiting from China’s expanded visa-free entry policy.

The week began with the arrival of Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer on March 6. Docking at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal on the North Bund. Port and immigration authorities reported that approximately 99 percent of its passengers were eligible for and utilized the 15-day visa-free transit policy upon arrival.

This was followed on March 11 by Luminara marking its maiden visit to mainland China. Similarly berthed at the North Bund terminal, initial estimates indicate that over 80 percent of its foreign guests entered under the same visa-waiver scheme.

The consecutive visits effectively launched Shanghai’s 2026 cruise season for port-of-calls.