Page 5 - 2025 China Market Report

CHINA

The Chinese cruise world operates radically different the market up for a so-called golden era before the pandemic
from western markets. The cruises are short, from three to five got in the way.
nights, and the booking window can be measured in weeks or
just a couple of months. Travel agents control much of the market Brand Mix
with cruise lines taking a low percentage of direct bookings. Royal Caribbean and MSC fly the flag of the mainstream
Onboard, guests aren’t as interested in food and beverage and cruise lines in China. Norwegian Cruise Line left the market
instead eye casino gaming and shopping. in 2018 and has no plans to go back, and Carnival Corporation
has repeatedly said the same thing, despite being the biggest
2024 operator in China at one point with Costa and Princess ships,
2024 was a year of the western cruise lines, MSC and Royal plus a local joint venture, now operating as Adora Cruises,
Caribbean, re-entering China, combined with more capacity which it has since divested itself from.
from the local brands. The market was the first to shut down Viking has a joint venture in China with China Merchants
due to covid and despite predictions of starting up first, was Group, operating the former Viking Sun and targeting Chinese
instead the last market to bounce back. guests on domestic sailings. That business plan has recently
Prior to the pandemic, the Chinese market had taken off changed, with some inventory reallocated for American guests.
in 2014 and was fueled by new ships, new brands and more. It’s the only company able to offer Chinese domestic cruising
That turned out to be too much, too fast, as brands pulled without visiting a foreign port.
out and removed ships. 2019 was said to be a stable year, Local brands include Adora, with a newbuild plus the former
with less ships and better pricing, while 2020 was going to set Costa Mediterranea and one more newbuild coming in 2027. 

Cruise Industry News: 2025 China Market Report 7