Staff hail from all around the world

As the champagne bottle smashed onto Henna's bow, onlookers cheered and applauded.

The launch ceremony for China's first luxury cruise ship followed the Western tradition of breaking a bottle for good luck and safe travels. Onboard, I found the crew also had an international flavor: Dancers from Cuba, helmsmen from Norway, service staff from Malaysia. Only a few dozen waitresses were from China.

Although owned by a Chinese company, HNA Tourism Cruise and Yacht Management, there was not much that was Chinese about the ship, inside or out.