China has imposed a 400 yuan per net ton fee on US-linked cruise ships rising to 1,120 yuan by 2028 with max five voyages charged per vessel.
Oceania Cruises’ Riviera cancelled a 15 October Shanghai visit facing €1.64m fee and diverted to Busan.
Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas received a waiver to continue Shanghai operations despite potential €10m annual cost.
The fee targets larger cruise ships disproportionately with Shanghai seeking exemptions for homeported vessels. International market cruises are unlikely to qualify for waivers.
