Travel
AIDAdiva, first worldwide cruise of the year makes its debut
haps Magazine Korea
January 12, 2026
AIDAdiva (Photo courtesy of City of Busan)
Busan welcomed its first worldwide cruise ship of the year on January 12, as the AIDAdiva made its inaugural call at Busan Port.
The 69,000 ton vessel, operated by Germany based AIDA Cruises, arrived at 8 a.m. carrying around 2,000 passengers.
AIDAdiva is currently on a 133 day global voyage that began in Hamburg, Germany on November 20 last year, with stops across North America, Europe, and Asia.
After departing Honolulu at 2 a.m. on January 1, the ship arrived in Busan before continuing on to Tokyo later the same day, departing at 6 p.m.
Passengers onboard are primarily European, including travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
During their stop in Busan, they visited major attractions such as Beomeosa Temple, Haedong Yonggungsa, Gamcheon Culture Village, and Jagalchi Market.
To mark the ship’s first visit, the city held a welcoming ceremony at the North Port Cruise Terminal at 9 a.m.
The event included a commemorative plaque presentation to cruise representatives and a series of cultural performances, including traditional music, dance, and K pop shows for arriving passengers.
The arrival of AIDAdiva is seen as a meaningful step in diversifying Busan’s cruise routes, which have traditionally focused on Northeast Asia.
The city has been working to expand its role as a global cruise destination following the successful operation of the MSC Bellissima as a semi home port last year.
Busan plans to continue strengthening cruise infrastructure, improving shore excursion programs, and enhancing visitor convenience throughout 2026.
This year, Busan expects a sharp increase in cruise traffic, particularly from China, with total arrivals projected to reach around 420 cruise calls and approximately 900,000 passengers by the end of the year.