Cruise Lines Spend Big, Get Quirky to Lure Chinese Travellers
Looking to convince Chinese tourists that a ship can be a holiday destination and not just a way to get there, the world's leading cruise lines are spending billions of dollars on flashy new vessels and quirky on-board services. Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd are trying to pique interest with China-centric attractions such as a menu inspired by an ex-president. They are also tapping a national penchant for education with classes ranging from foreign languages to silver service. Drawing cruise lines to China is the prospect of $11.5 billion in sales come 2018 compared with $6.8 billion last year, according to researcher Euromonitor. The market will soon be the second-biggest and could eventually surpass the United States, industry executives said.
Detained China Cruise Ship Released
The Chinese Consulate General in Jeju Island has confirmed that the detained Chinese cruise liner 'Henna' has left the island for China after posting a bond to the Jeju court, reports Xinhua. The Henna is expected to arrive in Tianjin on Wednesday morning, 18, September 2013. HNA Tourism, the Beijing-based operator of the vessel, posted a bond of US$ 2.8 million for the release of the ship. All the 1,659 passengers have left Jeju reports Xinhua. The vessel was detained after the Jeju court received a seizure application on claims of legal disputes…
China's Largest Cruise Ship Set for Maiden Voyage
HNA Tourism Cruise & Yacht Management unveils mainland China's largest cruise ship 'Henna'. The Henna previously P&O Cruises' Pacific Sun, has a length of 223m, a width of 31m and 739 rooms for 1,965 passengers, and will make its debut on the Sanya-Ha Long Bay-Da Nang route. Cruise route planning is mainly based on short-term needs and short distance tours, with Sanya and Tianjin serving as home ports and Vietnam and South Korea as destinations. Mr. Zhang Hao, President of HNA Tourism Cruise and Yacht Management…
