The cruise ship Aida Mediterranea set sail from the Xiamen International Cruise Home Port last week, marking the official start of this year's Xiamen- based cruise season. The six- day itinerary ferried more than 1,400 passengers to destinations such as Manila and Boracay in the Philippines.

Port authorities said that it will use 2026 to optimize its route network and to build a cruise system for short, medium and long voyages. The Aida Mediterranea is spring's main vessel, offering itineraries from five to 13 days, connecting to destinations such as Brunei, the Philippines and Singapore.

In the second half of the year, the port will launch a long- haul five- country southeast Asia route linking Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.