Adora Cruises, a leading Chinese cruise operator, announced its future coastal cruise plans in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Jan 9. The company revealed that its flagship vessel, Adora Magic City—the first large cruise ship made in China—will launch its coastal voyage from Qingdao in April this year. This new offering aims to provide a premium cruise experience tailored to travelers in northern China.

Industry insiders believe this move will not only enhance Adora Cruises' service portfolio but also bolster Qingdao's position as a key player in the rapidly expanding Chinese cruise industry.

Adora Magic City will set sail from Qingdao International Cruise Home Port on April 6, offering two international cruise routes—each spanning four nights and five days—to Fukuoka, Japan, and Jeju, South Korea. This marks the first time the vessel will operate from a Chinese port city outside of Shanghai, denoting a strategic expansion of Adora Cruises' network.

A ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong province announces that Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship made in China, will begin its coastal voyage from Qingdao in April. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to the operator, Adora Magic City will visit more coastal cities across China in the future, further promoting maritime tourism and cruise culture nationwide.

Meanwhile, another vessel in the fleet, Adora Mediterranea, will begin its 2025 Qingdao season in May, operating several four-night, five-day international cruises to destinations including Fukuoka and Jeju.

With a gross tonnage of 135,500 metric tons, Adora Magic City measures 323.6 meters in length and 37.2 meters in width, with the capacity to accommodate 5,246 passengers in 2,125 guest rooms. Since its debut on January 1, 2024, the ship has completed over 80 voyages and welcomed more than 300,000 passengers.

The Qingdao International Cruise Home Port, where these new itineraries will depart, has already secured over 40 cruise routes for 2025, including nine port-of-call routes. This is expected to be a personal best since the port's start in 2015. In 2024, the port facilitated 21 cruise voyages, handling 71,000 inbound and outbound passengers.

Adora Magic City, the first large cruise ship made in China, plans to begin its coastal voyage from Qingdao in April. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]