MSC Cruises is to deploy a second ship to China to meet growing demand.
The 4,363-passenger MSC Splendida will serve the Chinese market from May 2018 following a upgrading in dry dock next year.
The ship, built in 2009, will visit popular cruise destinations in China, Japan and Korea, with itinerary details yet to be disclosed.
The move follows the opening of an MSC Cruises office in Shanghai with a new management and operations team.
The line claims that at 137,936 tons, MSC Splendida will become one of the largest, most modern cruise ships operating in the region.
The vessel will join MSC Lirica, which has been operating from China since May. The ship recently moved its homeport to Tianjin, to serve the thriving north China market during the winter.
MSC Cruises chief executive, Gianni Onorato, said: “Deploying MSC Splendida to the shores of China is a further testimony of our commitment to this key growth market.
“In fact, since it came into service MSC Splendida has been the most popular ship for Chinese and other Asian guests cruising the Mediterranean with us.
“MSC Splendida represents a second, strong step towards meeting the growing demand for our unique product and ultra-modern ships by Chinese guests.
“She will also undergo significant dry-dock enhancement in late 2017, ahead of her deployment, to further improve and customise her already amazing range of services.”
MSC Splendida will also introduce the luxury MSC Yacht Club ‘ship within a ship’ concept to China.