Port of Keelung received the maiden visit by AIDA Cruises’ AIDAdiva and its 1,977 passengers at 07:00 today (January 23rd). To both mark the port’s first maiden visit of this year and provide a warm welcome, Port of Keelung arranged a formal water salute and presented the AIDAdiva’s captain with a commemorative plaque.
AIDA Cruises is one of Germany’s three largest cruise lines. Different from most industry competitors, German cruise companies regularly provide cycling excursions as part of in-port local tour packages, with passengers offered guided pedal-powered explorations of local scenic and cultural landscapes on cruise-line-provided bicycles. With the continued rise of non-Taiwanese cruise passenger numbers (376,000 in 2025) and Germans now comprising the fourth-largest group of non-Taiwanese passenger arrivals by nationality, Port of Keelung established the Cruise & Cycle Tourism Alliance to proactively meet the anticipated demand for onshore cycling-friendly itineraries and activities. The Alliance joins the Association of Taiwan Ports, Taiwan Railway Corporation (TR), and Taiwan Railways Tourism Association in partnership with organizations including Taipei City’s Department of Information and Tourism with the goal of creating and supporting low-carbon itineraries that link the cruise industry, cycling, and rail travel.
To better understand passenger interests and expectations, port officials invited AIDAdiva’s itinerary planning team on an Alliance-sponsored cycling experience while in port. The day’s itinerary included a ride on the local commuter bicycle train from Keelung to Taipei City (TR Songshan Station) and a pedal-powered excursion that commenced at the national Cycling Route No. 1 0km mark and followed the bicycle trail along the Keelung River, with stops at Lin An Tai Historical House, the Grand Hotel, Martyrs’ Shrine, Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park, Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, and other city sights. The activity drew attention to Port of Keelung’s natural advantages for cycling enthusiasts, including easy access to TR Keelung Station (a short walk from West Passenger Terminal), the convenience of TR’s bike-train service, and the diversity of attractions accessible along Taipei City’s extensive river bike trail network. Port of Keelung hopes the accessibility and allure of cycling opportunities in northern Taiwan will attract a growing number of calls to the port by German cruise ships in the future. Port officials remain committed to helping cruise lines arrange onshore passenger experiences that are worry-free, well-planned and executed, and uniquely memorable.
Port of Keelung continues to deepen cross-sector partnerships that facilitate the integration of port, rail, and city tourism resources with the goals of promoting an expanding menu of diverse, low-carbon onshore activities for cruise passengers, increasing the port’s international competitiveness, and facilitating the delivery of high-quality, unique, and ecologically sustainable cruise experiences.
※Basic Data on the AIDAdiva：
Tonnage：69,203 GT
Length：251 m
Beam：32 m
Capacity：2,050 passengers
Prior Call：Ishigaki
Next Call：Kaohsiung
Provided by：Stevedoring and Warehousing Dept., Port of Keelung, TIPC
Contact Person：Huai-hsuan Liu, Manager
Telephone No.：886-2-2420-6421
E-mail Address：sharon06@twport.com.tw
Image 1. The AIDAdiva berthed at Port of Keelung on January 23rd (West Wharf 3)
Image 2. Port of Keelung Senior Researcher Wei-chien Chang (left) presents commemorative plaque to AIDAdiva Captain Michael Schmid (right)
Image 3. Cruise & Cycle Tourism Alliance cycle team stop in front of the AIDAdiva for a group photo before setting out
Image 4. Cruise & Cycle Tourism Alliance travel with their bicycles by train from Keelung to Songshan (Taipei) for a low-carbon day tour of the metropolis.
Image 5. Cruise & Cycle Tourism Alliance stop for a group photo at the national “Cycling Route No. 1” 0km marker at TR Songshan Station
