How 2017 Will Be the Year of the Chinese Cruise Ship

As source markets go for cruise travelers, there is no greater focus currently than on Asia, and new ships are being dedicated to the cause at a rapid pace. Of the ten or so new vessels scheduled to launch next year, two of them are being customized to Chinese travel tastes. That's a significant percentage, and the trend is launching this year with Dream Cruises and the Genting Dream.

Dream Cruises is an entirely new luxury cruise line specific to the Asian market, and its very first ship, the Genting Dream, will spearhead the charge as it launches this month. Its overall form factor resembles Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway-class ships as parent company Genting Hong Kong is a large shareholder of NCL.

READ MORE: How Is Norwegian Cruise Line Putting a Go-Kart Track on a Ship?

So, it’s also appropriate that Norwegian’s own next ship, the Norwegian Joy, will be dedicated to the Chinese market, and competitor Princess Cruises will follow suit with Majestic Princess for China as well. Remarkably, both ships will come from domestic brands that are building their newest ships for a source of potential cruisers other than the U.S. primarily, a definite departure from the past.

A broader international clientele will again be the focus of the lines’ future planned ships, but until then China is where the biggest prospects are. What will be interesting to keep an eye on is what unique features being introduced on these ships may make their way onto upcoming international vessels.

For instance, the Norwegian Joy will have a go-kart racetrack (rendered above) where the ropes course has traditionally been on preceding Breakaway-class ships. Since the next in line, the Norwegian Bliss, is set for Alaska, it may receive the attraction, possibly an indoor version for colder weather, instead of a ropes course or water slides as well.

READ MORE: Princess Cruises Customizes New Majestic Princess for Chinese Market

On the Majestic Princess, the former Crooners lounge on its sister-ships is making way for a new French Bistro restaurant, serving the likes of Escargots Casseroles, Braised Ox Tongue and Mushroom Ragout. It’s then possible that such a venue attractive to other markets might also be featured on the fourth Royal-class ship that the line recently began building.

After all, fine dining is clearly of paramount concern for ship plans in Asia. The Genting Dream, for instance, will feature Bistro from acclaimed Australian chef Mark Best as well as a Penfolds Flagship Wine Vault. Also, the Majestic Princess will highlight three-Michelin star Chef Emmanuel Renaut with La Mer – A French Bistro by Emmanuel Renaut for the aforementioned replacement of Crooners. It’s then very possible the future of American cruising will showcase some of these flavors as well.

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