China’s first domestically built cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, is all set for its maiden voyage from Shanghai on January 1. Operated by CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Ltd., a joint venture between China’s leading shipbuilding company, China State Shipbuilding Corp., and U.S.-based Carnival Corp., the 323.6-meter-long luxury liner marks a significant milestone for the nation’s shipbuilding industry.
Designed and constructed by CSSC Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., the Adora Magic City offers a unique travel experience, allowing passengers to explore international destinations while still enjoying the comforts of home. The six-day journey will include stops at South Korea’s Jeju island and the Japanese cities of Nagasaki and Fukuoka.
Accommodating up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 guest rooms across its 16 decks, the Adora Magic City boasts an impressive array of amenities. The cruise ship features 22 restaurants and bars, including a mahjong lounge, beer brewery, and hotpot outlet. Theatres onboard showcase musicals with a distinctly Chinese theme, such as “Marco Polo: an Untold Love Story,” providing passengers with a familiar touch while venturing abroad.
The cruise liner not only serves as evidence of China’s shipbuilding prowess, handling complex projects like aircraft carriers and large liquefied natural gas carriers, but it also serves a practical purpose. As international travel remains restricted due to ongoing uncertainties, the Adora Magic City offers a safe and enjoyable way for Chinese travelers to explore neighboring regions.
Despite efforts to encourage overseas travel, the appetite for international flights remains limited, with full recovery expected by 2025. In contrast, domestic travel has seen a rapid resurgence, with Chinese tourists exploring popular destinations within the country.
The Adora Magic City, primarily cruising in short hops around Northeast Asia initially, provides a bridge between domestic and international travel. The cruise ship, designed and built in China, is especially appealing to families with elderly members and children, offering a convenient and recreational alternative to traditional travel concerns like traffic and lodging.
Bookings for the Adora’s inaugural voyage opened in September, with tickets for January and most of February already sold out. Despite the challenges, the cruise ship plans to expand its routes to Southeast Asia and explore the possibility of longer-haul journeys along the ‘Maritime Belt & Road.’ With a promising start, the Adora Magic City represents both a symbol of technological achievement and a beacon of hope for a new era of Chinese-led maritime travel.
