Princess cruises have revealed that their new ship will be based in China all year round and is being designed exclusively for the Chinese market.
The move comes not long after the Sapphire Princess’s successful inaugural season of Shanghai based cruises.
The new ship is currently unnamed but will be able to carry 3600 passengers and will be built in Fincantieri shipyard.
It will include features such as ocean-view hot pot dinner, ballroom dancing, a Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, traditional English afternoon tea, a “World Leader’s Dinner” and unparalleled duty free shopping.
“Deploying our next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to growing the China cruise market and providing discerning travellers with amazing holiday experiences at sea,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.
Swartz added “As this ship is still in the design phase we are looking forward to creating other new and exciting venues and experiences catering to the Chinese traveller, which we will reveal in the coming months.”
It seems that many cruise companies are racing to fill growing demand from the Chinese market, as Chinese tourism continues to grow. In fact, the number of Chinese cruise passengers rocketed up 79% between 2012 and 2014.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the seas will be relocating to China this summer. The Costa Atlantica has been deployed in China since 2006 and the Costa Serena made its maiden voyage in Shanghai last month.
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