Tag Archives: China

Princess to launch China cruises from Shanghai

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Princess to launch China cruises from Shanghai

By Tom Stieghorst
Princess Cruises will enter the China market for the first time next May, homeporting the Sapphire Princess in Shanghai for the summer.The 2,670-passenger ship will offer three- to seven-day cruises to South Korea. It is expected to carry 70,000 passengers over a four-month season, mostly from China.Princess would become the second Carnival Corp. brand sourcing passengers from China.
Costa Cruises began sailing there in 2006.Carnival Corp. has opened offices in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu to support its operations in China.
The 2014 China season will feature four itineraries: the seven-day itinerary will take passengers to the Korean capital of Seoul, the beach resort of Busan and the island of Jeju before returning to Shanghai; the five-day cruise will call at Jeju and Inchon; the four-day itinerary will call at Busan and Jeju; and the three-day cruise will call at Jeju.

China’s cruise industry could face challenges

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China’s cruise industry could face challenges

Royal Caribbean has been a big player in China’s nascent cruise industry but some are concerned that obstacles in the near-future will hamper its growth overall.

Royal Caribbean chairman in Shanghai, Liu Zinan, feels tighter integration between the cruise companies and government is essential, “The government, the local authorities, need to support the cruise lines in exercising international practice here.”

Since cruise tourism was introduced in China less than 10 years ago, five cruise terminals have been built at an estimated cost of more than 4.5 billion yuan (US$736 million). Three more are under construction and another six are in the pipeline.

Royal Caribbean estimates in Shanghai and Tianjin, the combined investment in cruise infrastructure has topped 12.3 billion yuan.

The danger lies in these facilities not returning on the investment, with losses common thus far.

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas makes maiden call to Tokyo

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Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas makes maiden call to Tokyo

IN: Japan ~ Voyager of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas made her first ever stop in Tokyo over the weekend, which begins a season of stops to Japan’s capital.

Voyager of the Seas arrived from Shanghai, China and will be based in a Japanese port for the first time.  She will offer Tokyo sailings ranging from 5 to 6 nights visiting Busan, Jejuand Nagasaki until early May, including one cruise chartered by Club Tourism, a major tour operator in Japan.

As part of Voyager of the Seas’ first stop in Tokyo, a traditional plaque exchange between Voyager of the Seas’ Captain, Charles Teige and Mitsuchika Tarao, Director General, Bureau of Port & Harbor, Tokyo.

Royal Caribbean’s Regional Director, Asia Pacific Mr Kelvin Tan said, “We are proud to bring Voyager of the Seas to Japan to let our fans here experience directly from home Royal Caribbean’s signature international and innovative cruising style. Japan is one of our top markets in Asia, and we are very encouraged by the strong response from this market for these cruises. We will continue to work with our Japanese representatives, agents and partners to bring more of such cruises to Japan.”