AIDAdiva Kicks Off Busan’s 2026 Global Cruise Season in Style!
Busan Port recorded a significant milestone on January 12, 2026, with its first call of the year by a round-the-world cruise vessel. The AIDAdiva, a 69,000 GT vessel operated by Germany’s AIDA Cruises, arrived at 8:00 a.m. carrying around 2,000 passengers.
Currently on a 133-day world voyage that began on November 20, 2025, from Hamburg, the AIDAdiva will explore ports across Europe, North America, and Asia. After setting sail from Honolulu on January 1, 2026, it made its way to Busan and continued onward to Tokyo later that evening.
A large portion of the passengers are from Europe, especially Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While in Busan, guests engaged in various shore excursions to some of the city’s renowned attractions, including Beomeosa Temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Jagalchi Market.
To celebrate the ship’s inaugural visit, the city arranged a formal welcoming event at the North Port Cruise Terminal at 9:00 a.m. This included the presentation of a commemorative plaque to ship representatives and a program featuring cultural performances representing traditional music, dance, and contemporary Korean pop culture.
Local authorities view the arrival of AIDAdiva as a pivotal moment in expanding Busan’s cruise market, moving beyond its conventional focus on Northeast Asian itineraries. This follows previous efforts to enhance the city’s international cruise profile, such as hosting the MSC Bellissima as a semi-homeport during 2025. Busan has ambitious plans for further upgrades to cruise infrastructure, shore excursion offerings, and visitor services through 2026.
The port anticipates a significant increase in cruise activity throughout the year, particularly due to renewed demand from the Chinese market, projecting around 420 cruise calls and nearly 900,000 passengers by the end of the year.
Set sail on a voyage of discovery with CruiseShip.net – your ultimate destination for all things cruising! Explore the latest news, insightful reviews, and thrilling cruising adventures from around the globe. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-time traveler, CruiseShip.net is your go-to source for expert advice, insider tips, and inspiring stories to fuel your wanderlust. Embark on a journey like no other with CruiseShip.net – where every wave brings new excitement and endless possibilities on the high seas.
At CruiseShip.net, our editorial team is made up of passionate travelers, seasoned cruisers, and maritime industry enthusiasts who live and breathe life at sea. From the latest ship launches and destination spotlights to detailed reviews and onboard tips, we are dedicated to helping readers discover the joy of cruising.
Our mission is to make every article both inspiring and useful, whether you are planning your first voyage or your fiftieth. We research, fact-check, and collaborate with cruise insiders around the world to bring you accurate, up-to-date, and exciting coverage of the global cruise industry.
Join us as we chart new horizons, exploring one port, one ship, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
Editorial Team
At CruiseShip.net, our editorial team is made up of passionate travelers, seasoned cruisers, and maritime industry enthusiasts who live and breathe life at sea. From the latest ship launches and destination spotlights to detailed reviews and onboard tips, we are dedicated to helping readers discover the joy of cruising. Our mission is to make every article both inspiring and useful, whether you are planning your first voyage or your fiftieth. We research, fact-check, and collaborate with cruise insiders around the world to bring you accurate, up-to-date, and exciting coverage of the global cruise industry. Join us as we chart new horizons, exploring one port, one ship, and one unforgettable experience at a time.
Leave a Reply