Dream of the South China Sea, a new cruise ship, will join the travel route linking Sanya to the Xisha Islands. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Tourists heading for Sansha will have a new choice in July, with a large cruise ship from Sanya to the Xisha Islands set to start operating soon.

It will be the second liner, and the largest, to head for the waters.

"We are also considering a cruise around the South China Sea at the appropriate time," said Cai Chaohui, vice-president of the Port Affairs Center under Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Port Development, the owner of the new liner, Dream of the South China Sea.

There has been one ship, Star of Beibu Gulf, from Hainan Strait Shipping, running from Sanya to the islands.

It started operating in March and can accommodate 300 guests on four to five trips every month. It takes 13 hours to arrive at the Xisha Islands from Sanya.

"It will enable more Chinese nationals to view the scenery in the South China Sea," Cai said.

"I'm confident about the prospects of the Xisha tourism market, as many tourists want to have a look at the mysterious islands.

According to Cai, the company also plans to run more cruises linking Sanya with Southeast Asian nations through the South China Sea.

At the same time, a second-phase of the Sanya Phoenix Island International Cruise Terminal is under construction.

The project, with an investment of 18 billion yuan ($2.75 billion), will enable the port to receive 2 million tourists annually, making it one of the busiest cruise ports in Asia.