China has marked a significant milestone in the cruise industry with the inaugural voyage of its first domestically built large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City. Operated by Adora Cruises, the 135,000-gross-ton vessel embarked on its maiden journey on January 1 from Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Port. The six-day voyage includes stops in Jeju, South Korea, and Fukuoka and Nagasaki in Japan.
The Magic City, with a maximum guest capacity of 5,246, is the first of two large cruise ships currently under construction by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Corp. The second ship, even larger at 142,000 gross tons, is also in the pipeline.
Adora Cruises Limited, the parent company of the brand, was initially established as CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited, a joint venture between the China Shipbuilding Corp. and Carnival Corp.
This launch comes at a time when cruise lines are refocusing on Asia following the pandemic and extended lockdowns. With an increasing presence planned in the region, major cruise lines like Royal Caribbean International are also set to return to China after a four-year hiatus. Royal Caribbean will offer four- and five-day voyages on the Spectrum of the Seas out of Shanghai.
The debut of the Adora Magic City signifies a renewed interest and growth potential in the Asian cruise market, showcasing China's capabilities in large-scale cruise ship construction.
