Extended operations at Busan’s cruise terminal are beginning to pay dividends, transforming Korea’s principal maritime gateway from a brief port of call into an overnight tourist destination. After becoming the nation's first cruise terminal to operate on a 24-hour schedule earlier this year, the southern port city has logged five overnight calls so far in 2026, with two more expected before the end of September, as operators increasingly extend their port visits well into the evening. City officials say lifting traditional time restrictions allows passengers to explore the vibrant coastal metropolis, turning shore excursions into meaningful revenue for local restaurants, retail districts and cultural venues across the city. The economic strategy was on full display Thursday with the arrival of The World, an ultra-exclusive residential cruise ship whose affluent residents own their staterooms rather than rent them. The vessel docked for a two-night, three-day stay that the city is using to demonstrate how round-the-clock terminal access directly translates into extended visits and g