China's first domestically-built large cruise ship, Adora Magic City, moves to its home port on December 15, 2023 in Shanghai after five years of construction and will set sail on New Year's Day in 2024. Nearly 1,300 crew members from all over the world have been assembled. Photo: cnsphoto

China's first domestically developed large cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, departed from a port in Shanghai on Sunday, commencing its trial run, according to China Media Group (CMG). The trial voyage will simulate real operating conditions to test its operating capability.

Carrying invited guests and nearly 1,300 crew members from around the world, the ship set off Sunday afternoon from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal and is expected to return to the terminal on Monday.

The second trial voyage will travel to Japan and South Korea to streamline coordination with local port authorities, as well as the ability to organize and arrange an itinerary, according to the report. 

The maiden voyage is scheduled on January 1, 2024.

The vessel was built by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co for Adora Cruises, a joint venture between Carnival Corp and China State Shipbuilding Corp.

After five years of construction, the Adora Magic City was delivered in November. It is 323.6 meters long, with a gross 135,500 tons, and can carry up to 5,246 passengers with a total of 2,125 guest rooms, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Tickets for the maiden commercial voyage were available starting September 20.

All fittings needed for the cruise ship were installed on December 12, with 1,292 crew members from around the world. The ship has been officially transferred to the operator, according to CMG.

Large cruise ships are considered a key part of the industrial maritime economy, and the completion of the cruise ship marks a great improvement of the overall strength of China's shipbuilding industry, experts said.

China has become the fifth country, after Germany, France, Italy and Finland, to independently build large cruise ships.

Global Times