Asia
Cruise Embarkation Port
Shanghai Cruise Port Guide: Embarkation, Getting There & Pre-Cruise Tips
China
Ships dock at the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal (Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal) in the Baoshan district, approximately 30 km north of the city centre.
Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Adora Cruises use Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal for most homeport departures, with smaller ships sometimes using the North Bund terminal, so check your documents. Shanghai is a large, busy modern city, not a small historic port, and the terminal sits far from downtown. Arrive a day early, because the transfer from the airport to the terminal can take well over an hour with no margin for traffic.
Pre-Cruise Quick Take
| Best arrival plan | Fly in at least one day before sailing, because same-day arrivals leave no buffer for the long transfer to Wusongkou. |
| Main airport | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) |
| Best hotel area | Baoshan, near Wusongkou, is the only area close to the large-ship terminal, but it has fewer restaurants and sights nearby. The Bund and People's Square give better sightseeing and dining, with a longer taxi or metro transfer on departure morning. |
| Terminal type | Pier |
| Port to city centre | Not walkable from Wusongkou; about 25-30 km to central Shanghai, a 40-60 minute taxi ride. The North Bund terminal is about 2 km from The Bund, a 25-40 minute walk. |
| Best time to cruise | March - May, September - November |
| Cruise lines | Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Azamara, Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises |
Where to Stay Before Your Cruise
Same-day flights are one of the most common ways cruise trips go wrong. A delay or missed connection can leave you watching the ship sail without you. Arriving the night before removes that risk entirely.
Baoshan, near Wusongkou, is the only area close to the large-ship terminal, but it has fewer restaurants and sights nearby. The Bund and People's Square give better sightseeing and dining, with a longer taxi or metro transfer on departure morning.
Pre-cruise hotel finder
Compare stays in Shanghai
Priced for one night, checking out the morning your ship sails. Open the map to see how close each hotel is to the terminal.
Next sailing 17 Nov — showing the night of 16 Nov
Want to see how far each one is from the ship? View hotels on a map
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Getting from the Airport to the Port
Shanghai is served by Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). Here are your transfer options with typical costs and travel times:
-
Taxi
varies with trafficUse a taxi from the airport rank or a ride app; a long, traffic-dependent journey to Wusongkou.
Book a transfer 5% off with code TPO5 at checkout -
Rideshare
varies with trafficBook through a local ride app and set the pick-up point in advance, as airport pick-up zones can be busy.
Check Uber fare -
Shuttle
variesUse a cruise-line or pre-booked transfer where offered, which can simplify luggage and timing.
Book a transfer 5% off with code TPO5 at checkout
Details last checked November 2026
Shanghai Cruise Terminal
Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal has four berths along about 1.6 km of quay, and it handles the large ships. The Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal on the North Bund is smaller, used by mid-size and smaller vessels. Check-in flow, luggage drop and parking arrangements are set by your cruise line, so confirm them in your documents.
Ships dock at the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal (Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal) in the Baoshan district, approximately 30 km north of the city centre.
Details last checked November 2026
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Planning an Asia cruise that includes the incredible city of Shanghai, with its blend of ancient gardens, colonial waterfront, and futuristic skyline?
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Check The Port Traffic
See Which Ships Are in Port
If you are sailing from here, use the schedule to gauge how busy the terminal area may feel on your date, plus the ships, lines, and published call windows.
Ships due in Shanghai over the next two weeks
2 ship calls are scheduled from Sat 14 Nov to Fri 27 Nov.
- Mon 16 Nov 1 ship · Quiet Luminara (The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
- Tue 17 Nov 1 ship · Quiet Luminara (The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection)
From cruise line schedules, as of 14 November 2026 (port time). Ships change schedules; check with your line before you plan around another ship.
Sun
Mon
Tue
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Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
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1 ship
17
1 ship
18
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30
Quiet (1–2)
Busy (3–4)
Packed (5+)
0 scheduled calls
November 14, 2026
No scheduled cruise ship calls were found for this date selection. Pick a highlighted day on the calendar above, widen the range, or search for a different ship or line.
Things to Do Before or After Your Cruise
Have a few hours before embarkation or time after disembarkation? These activities work well when you don't need to rush back aboard.
1
Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai
Soup dumplings dipped in black vinegar, scallion oil noodles, parched chicken — this tour strings together a dozen Shanghainese dishes along Huangpi Road, the old boundary where the French Concession met local residential Shanghai, and each stop comes with the story of why that dish exists here. The late-evening session is worth considering: the city looks different after dark, and finishing with craft beer and hand-pulled beef noodles is a better ending than most dinners you could book separately.
3hFree cancellation
2
Private Shanghai Full Day City Tour with Old and New Highlights
Standing on the Bund with Pudong's tower-studded skyline reflected in the Huangpu River is the image of Shanghai, and this tour earns it by pairing that view with the Ming-dynasty rockeries of Yu Garden and the plane-tree streets of the French Concession — old and new Shanghai in a single day. Because it is fully private, the pace and order are yours to shape with your guide, which matters when you are covering this much ground across a sprawling city.
7hFree cancellation
Our picks for your time ashore
3
The Bund waterfront promenade
A walk along the Huangpu River past early-20th-century colonial buildings, with the Pudong skyline across the water. Most attractive at dusk, when the buildings and towers are lit.
4
Huangpu River night cruise
A boat trip on the river that shows the Bund and Pudong skyline from the water. Good as a sit-down alternative to walking on a cool evening.
5
Nanjing Road pedestrian street
A long, busy shopping and dining street running west from the Bund, with department stores, snack stalls and neon signs. Best in the evening when it is lively.
Show 3 more things to do in Shanghai
6
Yu Garden and the Old City
A Ming-dynasty garden with pavilions, rockeries and ponds, set among the narrow lanes of the Old City. Expect crowds and tea-house sales pressure at the entrance.
7
Lujiazui and the Oriental Pearl Tower
The Pudong financial district with its famous TV tower and observation decks. Good for skyline views, but the views are often better from the Bund.
8
Tianzifang lanes
A maze of small lanes in the former French Concession with galleries, cafes and craft shops in converted houses. Pleasant for a slow afternoon.
Near the Cruise Port
Confirm luggage handling
Ask your cruise line how luggage is collected and delivered on embarkation day. Keep passports, tickets and medication in your carry-on.
Eat where locals eat
Dumpling houses and noodle shops away from the Bund and Nanjing Road are usually better and cheaper. Xiaolongbao and shengjianbao are the dishes to try.
Safety, Accessibility & Practical Details
Arrive a day early
Fly in at least one day before sailing, because the transfer to Wusongkou can take well over an hour. Same-day arrivals have little margin for delays or traffic.
Check your terminal assignment
Confirm whether your ship uses Wusongkou or the North Bund terminal in your cruise documents, since the two are far apart. Check your own passport's entry requirements before you travel.
Plan for mobile payments
Mobile payment apps dominate, and foreign cards are not reliable outside large hotels. Carry some yuan for taxis and small vendors.
Plan the Old City route
Yu Garden and Tianzifang have narrow lanes, steps and uneven surfaces. Taxi between areas if mobility is limited.
Use official transport
Choose official taxis or a ride app, and agree on the price or use the meter. Be cautious of unsolicited tea-house and tour offers near Yu Garden.
Download a map app in advance
Many services rely on mobile apps, and a working map app helps with both metro and taxi routes. Save your destinations in Chinese characters for taxi drivers.
Weather & Best Time to Cruise
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable months for cruising from Shanghai, with mild temperatures and fewer weather disruptions. Summer brings heavy humidity, plum rain and typhoon risk from August into September, which can affect port schedules. Cold, damp winters are less pleasant but usually uncomplicated.
Best season: March - May, September - November
Frequently Asked Questions
Both Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) serve the city, and neither is close to Wusongkou. Plan a long transfer from either airport and check the route for your terminal. Choose by flight availability, then confirm the transfer time.
Yes, a same-day flight leaves no buffer for traffic, airport transfers or delays. The cruise terminal at Wusongkou is 40-60 minutes from central Shanghai even without traffic. Arriving a day early also gives you time to see a little of the city.
The Bund and People's Square are the best-connected options for sightseeing and dining. Baoshan is closest to Wusongkou but has fewer restaurants and sights nearby. Book near a metro line you can reach easily and arrange your departure taxi the night before.
A taxi or rideshare is the simplest option, though the trip to Wusongkou is long and traffic-dependent. Metro Line 2 serves both airports and can connect toward the city, but transfers add time with luggage. Confirm your terminal assignment in your cruise documents before you travel.
Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises use Wusongkou, and Adora Cruises operates from there too; smaller ships may use the North Bund terminal. Lines and itineraries change by season, so check your own booking.
Arrival evenings suit the Bund promenade and a Huangpu River cruise, while a post-cruise afternoon fits Yu Garden, Tianzifang or Xintiandi. Keep sightseeing to a half day if you are returning to Wusongkou. Check opening hours and tour prices before you go.
Not from Wusongkou, which has no direct pedestrian route into the city, so you need a taxi, a metro connection with a shuttle, or a pre-booked transfer. The North Bund terminal is about 2 km from The Bund, a 25-40 minute walk. Once you reach central districts, the Bund, Nanjing Road and Tianzifang are walkable.
Shanghai is generally considered safe for visitors, though the US government currently rates China Level 2, exercise increased caution. Use official taxis or a ride app, and keep your passport and cruise documents with you. Be cautious of unsolicited tea-house or tour offers around Yu Garden.
✉ Sailing to Shanghai? Get your port-day plan
Tell us your sail date and we’ll email you a short Shanghai plan about 60 days out — when the good excursions start selling out — plus a final checklist 2 weeks before. Two emails, then done. We’ll send one note to confirm it’s really you — unsubscribe anytime.
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