China Cruise Comparison
110 upcoming sailings from 13 cruise lines
China cruise port photos
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise. Published · Last updated · About this page
At a glance: China cruises on Waterways Cruise: 110 upcoming sailings from 13 cruise lines (13 ocean). Lowest starting fares run from $314 per person (MSC Cruises) to $22,098 (Regent Seven Seas Cruises). Regent Seven Seas Cruises lists the most sailings (17). 18 sailings start and 19 end in China.
Which cruise lines sail to China, and how do they compare? This guide sorts the 13 lines with upcoming China sailings by kind of cruise, then into ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary, and shows what each costs to start, how long their sailings run and which ships you would sail on. Every figure comes from the sailings we list today, so it moves as sailings are added and sold.
What counts as a China cruise?
A sailing counts as a China cruise if it will call at least once at a China ship port. That covers ocean and river sailings, whether China is where the cruise begins, where it ends, or one stop on a longer route.
Of 110 upcoming sailings, 18 start in China, 19 end in China and 9 begin and end there. The other 82 (75%) visit China as a port of call on a longer route, often alongside Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and other countries. Ocean sailings call at Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Sanya and Xiamen.
- China cruise
- A sailing that will call at least once at a China ship port.
- Starts in China
- The first stop is a China ship port: 18 sailings.
- Ends in China
- The last stop is a China ship port: 19 sailings, 9 of which also start there.
- Visits only
- China is a port of call on a longer route: 82 sailings.
Ocean cruise lines in China (13)
13 ocean and expedition cruise lines have upcoming sailings that call at China: 109 in all. These sailings often call elsewhere too, most commonly Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong. The busiest ship ports are Shanghai, Tianjin, Dalian, Sanya and Xiamen.
Scroll tables sideways on small screens.
Ultra-luxury ocean cruise lines (4)
Ultra-luxury lines sit at the top of the market. Four ultra-luxury ocean lines sail to China, with 38 upcoming sailings between them. Regent Seven Seas Cruises has the most (17). Starting fares begin at $6,629 per person with Seabourn Cruises.
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regent Seven Seas Cruises | 17 | $22,098 | 10–61 nights (typically 12) | 2 · Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor |
| Silversea Cruises | 11 | $9,400 | 13–30 nights (typically 14) | 2 · Silver Muse and Silver Whisper |
| Seabourn Cruises | 7 | $6,629 | 16–30 nights (typically 30) | 1 · Seabourn Encore |
| Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection | 3 | $16,200 | 10–12 nights (typically 12) | 1 · Ritz-Carlton Luminara |
Luxury ocean cruise lines (3)
Luxury lines sit just below ultra-luxury. Three luxury ocean lines sail to China, with 26 upcoming sailings between them. MSC Explora Journeys has the most (12). Starting fares begin at $3,499 per person with Oceania Cruises.
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Explora Journeys | 12 | $5,160 | 6–16 nights (typically 9) | 1 · MSC Explora 3 |
| Oceania Cruises | 10 | $3,499 | 13–62 nights (typically 13) | 3 · Oceania Nautica, Oceania Riviera and Oceania Vista |
| Ponant Cruises | 4 | $8,850 | 12–13 nights (typically 12) | 2 · Le Jacques Cartier and Le Soleal |
Premium ocean cruise lines (3)
Premium lines sit in the middle of the market. Three premium ocean lines sail to China, with 20 upcoming sailings between them. Azamara Cruises has the most (16). Starting fares begin at $3,269 per person with Azamara Cruises.
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azamara Cruises | 16 | $3,269 | 14–61 nights (typically 11) | 2 · Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Quest |
| Crystal Cruises | 2 | $10,000 | 13–33 nights (typically 13) | 1 · Crystal Serenity |
| Hapag-Lloyd Cruises | 2 | On request | 16–19 nights (typically 16) | 2 · ms Europa and ms Europa 2 |
Contemporary ocean cruise lines (3)
Contemporary lines are the most accessible tier. Three contemporary ocean lines sail to China, with 25 upcoming sailings between them. Royal Caribbean has the most (12). Starting fares begin at $314 per person with MSC Cruises.
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length | Ships |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Caribbean | 12 | $509 | 4–9 nights (typically 5) | 1 · Spectrum Of The Seas |
| MSC Cruises | 7 | $314 | 4–8 nights (typically 5) | 1 · MSC Bellissima |
| Holland America | 6 | $2,089 | 14–28 nights (typically 28) | 2 · ms Noordam and ms Westerdam |
China cruise ports
Every China ship port with upcoming sailings has its own guide. The number beside each port is how many upcoming sailings call there (sailings, not individual port visits).
Coastal and island ports (5)
See them all in the China cruise port guide, or browse every sailing on the China cruises page.
How to choose a China cruise line
- Most listed sailings: Regent Seven Seas Cruises lists the most upcoming China sailings (17).
- Lowest starting fare: MSC Cruises, from $314 per person.
- Style: sort by category first. Ultra-luxury lines: 4 lines, 38 sailings, from $6,629. Luxury lines: 3 lines, 26 sailings, from $3,499. Premium lines: 3 lines, 20 sailings, from $3,269. Contemporary lines: 3 lines, 25 sailings, from $314.
- Kind of cruise: China sailings here are ocean and expedition cruises.
- Where you start: if you want China as your first or last port, filter the sailings by Starting in or Ending in China on the China cruises page.
How we calculated these figures
- Upcoming sailing: an itinerary with at least one departure date from today onward, counted once however many departure dates it has. Sailings that have passed drop out each day.
- China cruise: a sailing that calls at least once at a China ship port. A sailing "starts" or "ends" in China when its first or last stop is a China ship port.
- Lowest starting fare: the lowest "from" price among that line's upcoming China sailings, per person based on double occupancy, in US dollars. Under our Cruise Disclosure, prices include all applicable taxes and fees. Fares still depend on cabin category and date, so treat them as a starting point for comparison, not a quote.
- Typical length: the range covers the middle 80% of that line's sailings (the shortest and longest tenth are left out), and "typically" is the most common length.
- Kinds of cruise: A sailing is in exactly one kind, so the totals by kind add up to the 110 sailings above. Ocean: sailings on ocean-going ships, including expedition ships and ferries. River: sailings on rivers, canals and lakes. A river itinerary that also includes a coastal leg counts as river. A line that sails more than one kind appears in each list, with its sailings split by kind. Totals by kind count each sailing once.
- Style categories: Ultra-luxury, Luxury, Premium and Contemporary are Waterways Cruise's own groupings of cruise lines, not an industry standard.
- Freshness: the sailing data is refreshed daily from the sailings we list; figures here were calculated on .
Frequently asked questions about China cruises
Which cruise lines sail to China?
13 cruise lines have upcoming China sailings on Waterways Cruise: 13 sail ocean or expedition itineraries. Regent Seven Seas Cruises lists the most sailings (17).
How much does a China cruise cost?
Starting fares begin at $314 per person, double occupancy, with MSC Cruises. Fares depend on the line, the cabin and the sailing date, so the best way to see current rates is to request exclusive rates for the dates you want.
Which cruise lines are ultra-luxury and luxury in China?
Ultra-luxury ocean lines: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruises and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Luxury ocean lines: MSC Explora Journeys, Oceania Cruises and Ponant Cruises.
Can you start or end a cruise in China?
Yes. 18 of 110 upcoming sailings start in China and 19 end there; 9 do both. The other 82 (75%) visit China as a port of call on a longer route.
Want help choosing?
Our advisors compare sailings, cabins and fares across all of these lines.
Request exclusive ratesPlan your China cruise
China cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
China cruise port guide →Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 25, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!