Chinese-language Mediterranean cruise sets sail from Spain

TARRAGONA, Spain, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A cruise ship offering Chinese-language services sailed from the northeastern Spanish port of Tarragona on Tuesday, carrying nearly 900 passengers on a 13-day Mediterranean voyage amid strong Chinese interest in European travel.

The voyage will call at 10 destinations in Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Greece and Croatia before ending in Venice, Italy, according to the global travel and cruise company Viking.

The ship, Viking Yidun, arrived in Tarragona after completing a 60-day voyage from Shanghai. That journey carried more than 700 passengers and visited 27 destinations in 16 countries across Asia, Africa and Europe.

The Mediterranean voyage marks the start of Viking's 2026 Chinese-language European ocean cruise season, which runs from August to December and includes eight itineraries.

Speaking at a launch ceremony in Tarragona on Monday, Viking Executive Chairman Torstein Hagen said the sailing marked a further expansion of the company's services for the Chinese market, which it entered 10 years ago.

Later voyages will include stops in Athens, Santorini, Dubrovnik, Istanbul, Kotor and Piran. The company also plans to add Northern European destinations in 2027.

Chinese interest in European travel remains comparatively strong. A survey published in June by the European Travel Commission and Eurail found that 63 percent of Chinese respondents intended to visit Europe between May and August 2026, the highest proportion among the seven long-haul markets surveyed. Around 60 percent of the Chinese respondents intending to visit Europe had already booked a flight.