Cruise tourism will return to Jeju Island next year after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, as more than 30 ships from Japan are scheduled to visit the southern resort island.
Jeju Island is the largest volcanic island in Korea and has the honour of being one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Some of the top tourist sites include the vastly diverse species of flora and fauna in Hallasan National Park and the breathtaking views of Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak.
According to the Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO), the Island is to receive 32 tour cruises departing from Japan next year. The JTO forecasts that the number of passengers will reach 55,000.
The first ship set to arrive at a port in Jeju is a giant Princess Cruise ship with 3,400 passengers on March 19. It will make 14 more trips to the island over the course of the year.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ six-star luxury cruise ship with 800 passengers onboard will also dock in Jeju on March 21. Other cruise ships of Holland America, Swan Hellenic, and cruises from Australia and Germany will visit the island as well.
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries announced on Oct. 19 that foreign travellers will be allowed to disembark from ships arriving on Jeju Island.
All passengers are required to wear masks indoors and provide personal health information via a Q-code system, and a digital platform will be used to pre-register their quarantine information before entry into Korea.
Foreign travellers infected with the coronavirus or showing associated symptoms will not be allowed to disembark from their vessel.