TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The boutique cruise ship Island Sky arrived at Taichung Port on Tuesday morning, becoming the first international cruise ship to dock in seven years.

The ship, operated by Noble Caledonia, departed from Hong Kong and first stopped at Kaohsiung and Magong before arriving in Taichung, CNA reported. It will sail to Keelung and Hualien afterwards.

Tsao Chung-yu (曹忠猷), director of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area headquarters, said that more international cruise routes in Taichung will inject new energy into central Taiwan’s tourism sector. It will bring international visitors to key attractions such as Lukang Old Street, Sun Moon Lake, and Chung Tai Chan Monastery.

Legislative Deputy Speaker Johnny Chiang (江啟臣) said that due to factors such as the pandemic and weather, it has been seven years since an international cruise last docked at Taichung Port. Although the ship will stay only one day, Taichung offers a wide range of travel routes extending to nearby areas, including Nantou and Changhua, Chiang said.

DPP Legislator Ho Hsin-chun (何欣純) said the long-awaited return of international cruise ships reconnects Taichung Port with the broader cruise industry vision. Ho expressed hope that Taichung Port will continue promoting cruises and develop tourism in the port area. This would boost local development and foster shared prosperity between the city and the port, while injecting new momentum into Taichung’s economy and tourism, she added.