The Adora Magic City, China's first domestically built large cruise ship, has set off from Shenzhen on its first international voyage. Carrying nearly 4,600 guests, the ship is sailing to Vietnam on a five-day, four-night itinerary, marking the entry of a homegrown cruise ship into the regional cruise tourism market.
Setting off from Shenzhen
The route, operated by Adora Cruises, departs from the Shenzhen international cruise home port in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The maiden voyage heads to the port of Chan May in Vietnam, where travelers can go ashore near Hue. The season is set to run through September 16, 2026.
More destinations
Beyond ports of call in Vietnam and South Korea, from late August the itineraries will add destinations including Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia, Muara in Brunei and Nha Trang in Vietnam. In addition to the five-day, four-night trip, the ship also offers an extended eight-night option for travelers to choose from.
A step for the homegrown cruise ship
The Adora Magic City represents China's progress in building large cruise ships. Such vessels are structurally complex, with a great many systems, and are regarded as one of the jewels in the crown of the shipbuilding industry. Being able to build one and put it into operation is itself no small breakthrough.
From building the ship to launching international routes, China's homegrown cruise sector is moving step by step toward the market. For Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, the arrival of a domestically built cruise ship also adds fresh possibilities for regional cruise tourism. This voyage to Vietnam may be only a beginning.
