Carnival Cruise Line will commit two ships to be based in China year-round.
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle and 3,00-passenger Carnival Splendor (pictured) will operate from China in spring 2017 and 2018 respectively, parent company Carnival Corporation confirmed today.
Specific details on the company’s China itineraries will be announced at a later date with bookings for Carnival Miracle sailings expected to open next year.
Carnival will be establishing operations in China in partnership with sister company Costa Asia, which has operated in the Chinese market for nine years.
Carnival Cruise Line president, Christine Duffy, said: “Given the combined experience of Costa Asia, along with other sister companies either already in the market, such as Princess Cruises, or entering the market, such as AIDA, the collective scale of Carnival Corporation’s Asia operations is unparalleled and enables us to tap into an immense network of resources and expertise as we launch our China programme.”
She added: “Carnival is the world’s most popular cruise line and our style of cruising appeals to guests of all ages and particularly families.
“We attract more than 4.5 million guests a year and, as the family cruise leader, we also carry more than 700,000 children each year.
“Multi-generational families also choose to vacation with Carnival more than any other cruise brand. We look forward to bringing our one-of-a-kind, exceptionally popular cruise experience to the Chinese market.”
Carnival’s differentiated cruise experience offers an “interactive and participatory” style of holiday that brings together passengers and crew, Duffy said.
“The team brings this experience to life for our guests on every cruise with a high level of respect, service and hospitality,” she said.
“We know this will resonate very well with our Chinese guests and allow us to exceed their expectations.”