Blue Dream Cruises has announced it will suspend cruise operations in China starting January 4, citing planned hardware updates and maintenance work. The pause affects the company’s only active vessel, Blue Dream Melody, formerly operated as AIDAvita.
In a statement, the cruise line said the suspension is linked to technical work required on the ship. No timeline was provided for when operations might resume.
While the company pointed to maintenance needs, reports on Chinese social media suggested other factors may be involved. Some posts claimed that upcoming sailings struggled to attract enough bookings, particularly on cruises to South Korea.
Over the past few months, several itineraries had already been adjusted. Planned cruises to Japan were replaced with alternative routes calling at South Korean ports during the first quarter.
The situation became more visible in late December when Blue Dream Melody’s December 28 sailing was heavily promoted. Travel agents were advertising the cruise just a week before departure, with prices starting at 698 RMB per person, or about $99.
That sailing featured a three-night round-trip itinerary from Beihai, China, to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. Despite the low pricing, reports indicated limited demand leading up to departure.
Blue Dream Cruises returned to service in 2024 after the pandemic shutdown. As part of that relaunch, the company replaced its smaller vessel with the larger 1,200-guest Blue Dream Melody.
The previous ship, Blue Dream Star, which accommodated 836 guests, remains laid up in Asia. The transition was seen as a major step in rebuilding the brand’s presence in the regional cruise market.
Customer service representatives have confirmed that refunds will be issued to guests affected by the suspension. However, the company said there is currently no information on whether or when cruise operations might restart.
The pause adds to the ongoing challenges faced by cruise operators in China. Demand patterns, itinerary changes and operational costs continue to shape the recovery of the local cruise industry.
For now, Blue Dream Cruises’ future remains uncertain as the company reassesses its next move.
