Travelers enjoy activities on board. [Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

The cruise association's Zheng calls for more ports to open in Asia, noting that the cruise itineraries starting from China are limited.

Wei Tao, chairman of Diamond Cruise International Co, Ltd, says his company plans to have a cruise leaving from a Japanese homeport for Shanghai, to draw Japanese tourists to China.

"Cruise tourism in China should have both inbound and outbound tourists. It should not just about transporting Chinese guests to Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia," Zheng says.

Zheng suggests that global cruise companies open more cruise lines that go around the world, or that they first transport overseas tourists to China by air and then have them tour around China and other Asian countries on cruises.

"In the rapid growth of cruise tourism, quality also counts. Operators in the industry should ensure the good quality of a cruise experience, and avoid malicious low-price competition."

Contact the writer at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn