[Photo/xmnn.cn]

Travelers from Xiamen in Fujian province will be able to enjoy cruises to Japan visas from April 21, as policy makers from the two countries aim to boost tourism.

According to a visa exemption announcement made by the Exit - Entry Administrations of both countries on March 17, certain cruise liners were selected to allow tourists to disembark in Japan without visas. SuperStar Virgo, as one of the first batch cruise ships on the list, is expected to drop its anchor in Okinawa on April 21 after embarking from Xiamen.

Industry insiders spoke highly of the policy, saying that it simplifies the procedures and shortens visa preparation time to 10-15 days. The new policy also means that the 200 visa application charge would be dropped.

Korea’s Chejudo Island is another handy choice for travelers longing for an overseas cruise trip, due to the visa exemption policy it initiated back in 2008.

By Liu Xiaoyu from China Daily Fujian Bureau