Shanghai Drone Show Welcomes Holland America's Westerdam

Shanghai rolled out an eye-catching reception on the evening of February 25, when 2,000 drones illuminated the night sky in honor of the cruise ship Westerdam’s arrival.

The coordinated drone performance took place above the Huangpu River, forming dynamic images and celebratory messages for the nearly 2,000 guests sailing onboard. Organizers said the display also extended Chinese Year of the Horse greetings to passengers.

The aerial spectacle was arranged as part of a special welcome for the Holland America Line vessel during one of its scheduled calls in Shanghai. In recent years, drone light displays have become a popular alternative to fireworks across China, frequently used to commemorate significant occasions in a modern and visually striking way.

Westerdam is currently operating a 28-day roundtrip voyage that departed Yokohama, Japan, on February 15 and is set to return there on March 15. Along the way, the itinerary includes a variety of destinations throughout East and Southeast Asia.