China's homegrown large cruise ships emerge as messengers of cultural exchanges

The Adora Magic City, China's first homegrown large cruise ship, sails at sea.  (Photo courtesy of Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd.)

China Tourism Group's cruise arm, Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd., continues to deepen its "cruise plus culture" operating model, transforming domestically built large cruise ships into calling cards that showcase Chinese culture and promote exchanges between Chinese and other civilizations.

The Adora Flora City, China's second domestically built large cruise ship, will launch its inaugural voyage on Nov. 22 from Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. Tickets for the 141,900-tonne ship's maiden voyage have recently gone on sale. It will sail a 17-day, 16-night "Maritime Silk Road Discovery Journey" covering six Southeast Asian countries.

Flower motifs, smart technologies and elements of Chinese culture including Maritime Silk Road heritage have been incorporated into its design, interiors and services. The ship will also stage original Chinese-style productions.

The new ship reflects the rapid evolution of China's cruise sector. Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd., established in late 2023, completed the integration of three cruise brands — Adora Cruises, Nanhai Cruises and Astro Ocean Cruise — in 2025. It now operates four ships, including the Adora Magic City and Adora Mediterranea, making it the largest cruise fleet operator in Asia.

Chinese culture has become the defining feature distinguishing homegrown cruise ships from international rivals. Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd. has made "cruise plus culture" its core strategy, weaving traditional Chinese culture, regional folk customs, maritime culture and Maritime Silk Road heritage into every aspect of its operations — from product design and route planning to stage performances and dining — to create cruise experiences with broad cultural appeal.

The Adora Magic City, China's first homegrown large cruise ship launched in January 2024, incorporates Dunhuang-themed exterior artwork, art decorations featuring the ancient Silk Road, and an original musical drama, "Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story," allowing passengers to immerse themselves in traditional Chinese culture throughout their voyage.

A passenger interacts with a Peking opera actor on the Adora Magic City, China's first homegrown large cruise ship. (Photo courtesy of Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd.)

Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd. has turned its ships into floating galleries of Chinese culture, integrating traditional arts and aesthetics into everything from leisure activities and dining to hands-on craft workshops.

Adora Cruises has partnered with the Dunhuang Academy, Shanghai Animation Film Studio and China National Peking Opera Company to bring cultural programs aboard its ships, including digital murals, Dunhuang-themed fashion shows, stage productions based on the animated film "Nezha Conquers the Dragon King," and classic Peking opera performances. By late February, Adora Cruises had completed more than 379 voyages, serving over 1 million passengers from China and abroad.

This spring, Adora Cruises launched its first maritime film festival, allowing passengers to enjoy screenings of classic Chinese films along with singalongs, exhibitions and a red carpet walk.

A Dunhuang-themed activity is held on the Adora Magic City, China's first homegrown large cruise ship. (Photo courtesy of Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd.)

During the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd. will actively expand into international source markets and support the growth of inbound tourism, promoting cruise products departing from China-based home ports to international travelers and raising its profile overseas. At the same time, the company will tap into local markets in Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas.

An executive with China Tourism Group said the group will continue to integrate traditional Chinese culture into the cruise experience and offer passengers a "cruise plus culture" journey filled with surprises.

The maritime film festival is held aboard a ship of Adora Cruises. (Photo courtesy of Huaxia International Cruise Co. Ltd.)