Following the recent commissioning of MSC Cruises’ new facility at PortMiami—previously designated as the world’s largest cruise terminal—China has now assumed that distinction with the inauguration of Terminal 2 at Xiamen International Cruise Terminal.
The facility saw the departure of the Adora Mediterranea (fka Costa Mediterranea) from Port Xiamen (Fujian Province). The terminal now holds the title of the world’s largest cruise terminal complex by total floor area.
Terminal 2 spans 68,000 m2, distributed across six above-ground floors and two subterranean levels. This figure surpasses the 45,787 m2 of MSC’s Terminal AA in Miami. The new installation forms part of the Xiamen International Cruise Ship Center and is positioned to advance China’s strategic objectives in the global cruise sector, according to China National Radio.
The terminal is engineered to simultaneously accommodate multiple large vessels, including those with capacities of up to 140,000 gross tons. Infrastructure includes three berths and a suite of advanced passenger processing technologies such as biometric facial recognition, dual-screen security checkpoints, and terahertz scanning systems—collectively designed to reduce boarding times to less than ten minutes per passenger.
In addition to its maritime functions, Terminal 2 integrates cultural and tourism-focused infrastructure. Notably, it includes a themed attraction titled “Time Meets Island,” which provides visitors with curated cultural experiences rooted in Minnan heritage, including live performances, exhibitions, and an active night market.
The facility's launch marks a significant development in the recovery and growth of China’s cruise industry, which experienced a prolonged suspension of international operations during the COVID crisis. The deployment of the Adora Mediterranea—China’s first large cruise vessel operated under domestic management—underscores both the nation's ship-operating capabilities and its commitment to expanding international cruise tourism.