Carnival plans domestic cruise line in China
Cruise operator Carnival Corp. has signed agreements with China Merchants Group to explore the creation of a domestic cruise line.
Carnival will operate four ships in the region this year, doubling is capacity in the region in just two years, and plans to take a bigger role in developing cruise infrastructure in China.
The line has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Merchants Group to set up a port development joint venture and a separate undertaking which could lead to a domestic joint ship-owning project.
Carnival and CMG will look to form China’s first domestic cruise brand by sourcing new ships made in China.
Alan Buckelew, chief operating officer of Carnival, said in a statement: “We are working with a strategic partner that can help us explore immediate ways to impact cruise growth in China, including the possibility of a new Chinese cruise brand and new destinations.”
CMG is currently building the Prince Bay Cruise Terminal in Shekou, Shenzhen.
It follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding last year with China State Shipbuilding Corp. to jointly build cruise ships in partnership with Italy’s Fincantieri ship builders.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers