On January 16, in the arrival hall of the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, approximately 2000 passengers, who had just completed a 6-day, 5-night journey aboard the “Adora Magic City,” disembarked one after another, carrying large and small bags.
Since officially starting commercial operations on January 1, this domestically produced cruise ship has successfully completed three commercial voyages, accommodating nearly 10,000 passengers in total. The international crew of 1300 members on board, involved in navigation, dining, hotel services, entertainment performances, and various other positions, has further honed their operational and navigational experience. In the cockpit, the captain from Sweden is preparing for the next voyage. The inaugural voyage coincided with winter, often encountering dense fog upon arrival, but Captain stated that it was not a problem for the “Adora Magic City.”
Captain of the “Adora Magic City” said, “We have tested the limits of everything—our engines and stability. We are very confident; it is very stable and powerful, meaning that even in stormy or adverse weather, the ship remains very stable.”
The “Adora Magic City” cruise primarily stops at destinations such as Jeju Island in South Korea, Nagasaki, and Fukuoka in Japan, with a duration of 5 to 7 days. Currently, it is running steadily with a frequency of 6 to 7 voyages per month. Tickets range from a few thousand to over ten thousand yuan, and all voyages before the Chinese New Year are already sold out.
Gu Pengcheng, Director of Strategic Management at China Shipbuilding Cruise Technology Development Co., Ltd., said, “The hardware and software settings on board are in line with the consumption habits of Chinese consumers. From the payment system perspective, it has achieved the function of direct scanning with WeChat and Alipay. Overall, the operational situation is very good, and we have accommodated close to 10,000 passengers.”
While the “Adora Magic City” cruise embarks on another long voyage, the design of the next domestically produced large cruise ship, known as “Ship 2,” is steadily progressing and has already started construction. The chief designer informed reporters that “Ship 2,” undergoing detailed design since 2021, will be the “sister ship” of the “Adora Magic City” but with a longer length and larger displacement.
Ma Yongbo, Project Manager at China Ship Fincantieri Cruise Industry Development Co., Ltd., stated, “We have increased the middle atrium by 17.4 meters, lengthening the ship. The public areas, including the restaurant, will increase by about 3000 square meters in total compared to the first ship. The progress of the entire detailed design is about 80% complete.”
