Holidays on the water

Majestic Princess, with a capacity of 3,560 guests, is customized for Chinese tourists. The newly launched ship offers a variety of experiences on board and destinations along the cruise's routes. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Majestic Princess has set sail from Shanghai. The cruise ship offers a number of features for Chinese tourists so that they can enjoy something familiar on board. Xu Lin reports.

As more Chinese enjoy cruises with their families, many overseas cruise brands are eyeing the Chinese market with new luxury vessels.

Majestic Princess, which is customized for Chinese tourists, recently started operations from its home port, Shanghai.

The ship, which has a capacity of 3,560 guests, offers a number of features for Chinese tourists so that they can enjoy something familiar on board.

It has entertainment, which is popular in China, such as well-decorated karaoke rooms and mahjong, besides soya milk and traditional Chinese tea. Also, guests can get iced bubble tea from Gong Cha, a popular franchise in China.

Speaking about the facilities, Arnold Donald, the president and CEO of Carnival Corp, which owns the California-based cruise brand Princess Cruises, says: "Tourists always want a few things that are familiar, but they are also interested in learning new things. And the Princess is about an international cruise experience.

"Cruises are about experiences on a ship. They are about the destinations that the cruise will take you to. People travel to see places and experience things that they don't get at home," he says.

Those who travel with children can leave them in the youth and teen centers, so they can enjoy other activities on board.

In the daytime, guests can sample food from home and abroad in 22 restaurants and bars.