Maiden Maritime Silk Road voyage docks in Xiamen

An international cruise ship carrying thousands of passengers arrived at Xiamen on June 26, finishing its 37-day maiden voyage. 

The Majestic Princess cruise ship sets sail from Rome on May 21, 2017. The "Maritime Silk Road Voyage" made ports-of-call in Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. [Photo: Xinhua]

The Majestic Princess set sail from Rome on May 21 and has passed key Maritime Silk Road ports, including Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand.

Sichuan opera performers pose with a passenger on cruise ship Majestic Princess, June 19, 2017. [Photo: Xinhua]

Roughly 7,000 tourists from more than 40 countries and regions were on board and enjoyed a series of programs featuring traditional Chinese culture, such as tea, painting, calligraphy, opera, fashion, and sculpture.

Organizers of the "Maritime Silk Road Voyage" share experiences with tourists on Majestic Princess cruise ship. [Photo: China Plus/ Meng Xue]

The programs were arranged by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to allow western guests to better understand and savor Chinese culture and traditions, Li Xinyu, a senior official with the friendship association, said.

Chinese-American who left China at age of 4 shares cultural experiences with Li Xinyu, a senior official with the friendship association as part of "Maritime Silk Road Voyage." [Photo: Provided by CPAFFC]

Alan Stein, the ship's entertainment experience director, was pleased with how the journey went.

"So much has been learned through the friendship association's willingness to work and collaborate with all of us to bring some of the richness of China to the ship," Stein said. 

Stein said the highlights would be shared beyond the ship by pictures and word of mouth. 

More cruise trips are likely to be offered along the route in the future, he says.