Jeju Island to Launch Semi-Homeport Cruise Operations in May 2025

Starting in May 2025, Jeju Island in South Korea will launch semi-homeport cruise operations, enabling travelers to set sail on international voyages directly from the island. This initiative is a collaboration among the Jeju provincial government and the Ministries of Oceans and Fisheries, as well as Culture, Sports, and Tourism, aimed at boosting the region’s cruise tourism industry.

The cruise ship Adora Magic City, operated by Adora Cruises, is slated to begin its inaugural voyage from Gangjeong Cruise Port on May 1st. The vessel will connect Jeju with ports in Shanghai and Japan, offering 33 round trips through the end of 2025. Each cruise will last 5 to 6 days and accommodate around 60 to 120 Korean passengers.

A semi-homeport allows for both arrivals and departures, serving as a precursor to a full homeport establishment. To facilitate these operations, Jeju’s government is collaborating with immigration, customs, and quarantine officials, carrying out port simulations, and installing unmanned immigration kiosks to streamline border processing. There are also plans to work with local travel agencies to enhance cruise package offerings for both local and international visitors arriving via direct flights.

The cruise tourism sector on Jeju Island has seen significant growth post-pandemic, with passenger numbers escalating from 101,000 in 2023 to an expected 641,000 in 2024—an increase of 534.7%. Similarly, port calls surged from 71 to 274 within that timeframe. In 2025, Jeju anticipates 346 port calls and about 800,000 visitors.

A recent survey by the Jeju Tourism Organization indicates that cruise visitors are more satisfied compared to previous years, given the greater frequency and duration of port calls. Improvements in customs and immigration processes have increased the average time spent onshore from 4.23 hours in 2023 to 5.04 hours. Authorities project further reductions in processing times as the new kiosks go live by the end of 2025.

For more information, check out the details on Jeju Island’s official site and learn more about the Adora Magic City.

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