Blue Dream Cruises Suspends Guest Operations for Melody Upgrades
The unexpected pause underscores how thin margins can be for newer cruise brands in China, where shifting regional itineraries and soft demand can quickly force fleets into layup.
Blue Dream Cruises has suspended guest operations as of Jan. 4, 2026, withdrawing its flagship Blue Dream Melody from service in Beihai, China, while the ship undergoes maintenance and onboard hardware upgrades.
The company announced the pause in late December and has not published a timeline for when sailings might resume. Blue Dream Cruises’ customer service team has told guests that refunds will be processed for impacted bookings and said there is currently no update on whether operations will restart.
Blue Dream Melody withdrawn from service after final Beihai voyages
After completing its final itineraries, the 42,200-ton Blue Dream Melody (capacity: 1,218 passengers, or roughly 1,200 guests) entered layup in China earlier this month and was removed from service from its Beihai homeport on the Jan. 4 suspension date.
In the final week before the pause, the ship operated short cruises from Beihai to Vietnam that included a call at Ha Long Bay before returning to China. One of the last voyages was a two-night roundtrip that sailed to Ha Long Bay and back to Beihai.
Late-December marketing and social media speculation about demand
Travel agents continued promoting late-December departures close to sailing, with advertised pricing starting at 698 RMB per person (about $99) for at least one itinerary. Despite the line’s stated focus on technical work, separate discussion on Chinese social media suggested the suspension may also reflect weak demand, claiming the brand lacked sufficient bookings for upcoming cruises.
Blue Dream Cruises has not publicly linked the operational pause to passenger volumes, citing planned hardware updates and maintenance for Blue Dream Melody.
Itinerary changes ahead of the pause
The cruise line’s near-term deployment had already shifted before operations were put on hold. Previously announced itineraries to Japan were adjusted for the first quarter of 2026, with routes changed to include calls in South Korea. The company has not released updated guidance on future itineraries now that guest operations are suspended.
Ship background: AIDAvita’s transition to Blue Dream Melody
Blue Dream Melody previously sailed as AIDAvita, a ship built in Germany for AIDA Cruises and launched in 2002. It served the German market until early 2020, when it was taken out of service during the COVID-19 pandemic and later spent roughly two years laid up.
After being sold to Turkey-based Beta Marine and later resold to Blue Dream Cruises, the vessel underwent a significant refurbishment in China before entering service for its new operator. Blue Dream Melody began sailing for Blue Dream Cruises in June 2024.
Fleet status: Blue Dream Star remains laid up in Shanghai
Blue Dream Cruises’ other ship, Blue Dream Star, is also currently laid up in China. The 25,000-ton vessel, built in the early 2000s for Royal Olympic Cruises, carries 836 passengers and entered service for the brand in mid-2023.
Blue Dream Star was later withdrawn after the company acquired the larger Blue Dream Melody in early 2024. The ship has remained laid up at the port of Shanghai since arriving in early November 2025.
What is known about possible redeployment
Blue Dream Cruises has not announced a forward plan for Blue Dream Melody following the suspension. Separately, reporting has suggested the ship could be considered for deployment in Russia’s Far East, potentially sailing from Vladivostok as part of a state-backed effort to develop cruise operations on Russia’s Pacific coast.
No timetable or operational details have been confirmed by Blue Dream Cruises or Russian authorities for any such move. For now, Blue Dream Melody remains out of service following the Jan. 4 suspension date, and the company has yet to announce its longer-term plans for either ship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When did Blue Dream Cruises suspend operations?
The company suspended guest operations as of Jan. 4, 2026, when Blue Dream Melody was withdrawn from service in Beihai.
Why did Blue Dream Cruises pause sailings?
Blue Dream Cruises attributed the pause to planned onboard hardware upgrades and maintenance work for Blue Dream Melody. Social media discussion in China also speculated that low passenger bookings played a role, but the company has not cited demand as a reason and has not published a restart schedule.
What was the Blue Dream Melody’s final itinerary?
In the final week before the suspension, the ship operated short cruises from Beihai to Vietnam that included a visit to Ha Long Bay before returning to China, including a two-night roundtrip sailing to Ha Long Bay.
Will passengers receive refunds for canceled Blue Dream cruises?
Yes. Blue Dream Cruises’ customer service department has confirmed that refunds will be issued for impacted bookings.
What is the status of Blue Dream Star?
Blue Dream Star was withdrawn after the company brought in Blue Dream Melody and is currently laid up at the port of Shanghai, where it arrived in early November 2025.
