Costa Asia announced the Atlantica had departed on its first-ever 46-day cruise from Tianjin to the South Pacific Islands, signaling an important development in the maturing of the Chinese cruise market.

This cruise is a cooperation with Caissa Touristic, one of the largest travel agencies in China.

“After the success of last year’s world cruise, this new itinerary, as the first of its kind in China, marks a special milestone for Costa Asia and China’s cruise industry. I hope all of our passengers will experience an exciting and simply wonderful cruise on Costa Atlantica,” said Buhdy Bok, president, Costa Group Asia.

“This cruise was two years in the making, the first itinerary covering the islands in the South Pacific, and the first China originating cruise crossing the equator and the International Date Line. We hope this cruise will boost the development of China’s cruise industry and enhance the cooperation between China and the South Pacific countries in the field of tourism exchange,” added Chen Xiaobing, founder of Caissa China and president of Caissa Touristic.

The ship will sail to 12 islands in nine countries, including Saipan, Suva, Papeete, Bora-Bora, PagoPago and Rabaul.