Record cruise ships expected

Record number of cruise ships will dock in Shanghai this year and authorities are beefing up customs efficiency.

A total of 554 international cruise liners are expected to arrive at the city's two major cruise terminals, up 42 percent from last year, the Shanghai Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection Station said.

The Wusong International Cruise Terminal and Shanghai International Passenger Transportation Center will host Costa Cruise's Costa Victoria and Atlantica, Royal Caribbean International's Voyager and Mariner of the Seas and HNA Tourism's Henna through the year as their home ports, and the Diamond/Sapphire Princess of Carnival Corporation & PLC will make Shanghai its home port for the first time.

Authorities said they would open quick access for big cruises with large number of passengers and short docking time to boost efficiency.