The first large cruise ship built in China complete with a water park, a brewery, and 5G will sail this year — see inside

Brittany ChangAug 22, 2023, 16:09 IST

Adora is a joint venture between Carnival Corp and China State Shipbuilding Corporation. Its first vessel, the Adora Magic City, will sail later this year.Adora Cruises

Adora Cruises' first ship, the Adora Magic City, will sail later this year as China's first locally built large cruise vessel.
Adora is a joint venture between Carnival Corp and a Chinese shipbuilding giant.

A new Carnival Corp cruise ship will hit the seas later this year. But unless you live in China, there's a solid chance you won't be vacationing on this upcoming ship.

In 2015, state-owned China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC), the country's wealth fund China Investment Corp, and the recognizable Carnival Corp set up a contract to create a Hong Kong-based cruise company. A few years later, CSSC's Cruise Technology Development arm and Carnival announced its joint venture: Adora Cruises. But unlike Carnival's eponymous cruise line, Adora Cruises — formerly known as CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited — will only be servicing the Chinese cruise market.

When it debuts later this year, Adora's starter vessel will be China's first locally built large cruise ship, according to a press release from Carnival in 2018.

Adora Cruises' Adora Magic City while under construction.Adora Cruises

The new cruise brand has remained quiet about the ship's specifics.

The primary restaurant aboard the Adora Magic City.Adora Cruises

The nearly 1,062-foot-long ship will sail up to 5,246 passengers.

The Adora Magic City during its float-out ceremony.Adora Cruises

These over 5,000 travelers will get to bunk in the floating "magical" city's 2,125 guest cabins.

A Bavarian Lounge aboard the Adora Magic City.Adora Cruises

Several features — like its 5G capabilities and a roughly 21,530-square-foot duty-free mall at sea — will be industry-setting.

The Ocean View bar aboard the Adora Magic City.Adora Cruises

But the majority of the upcoming ship's announced amenities will be familiar to the US cruise market.

The Adora Magic City's promenade.Adora Cruises

The 1,000-seat Metropol Theater will be home to productions like comedy-drama shows, "Marco Polo: An Enchanted Love Tale," and the eponymous "Magic City."

The Metropol Theater.Adora Cruises

There will also be a brewery aboard the ship to supply beer to several bars, a first in the Asian cruise market, according to Adora.

The Munich Square Bar aboard the Adora Magic City.Adora Cruises

The ship will welcome travelers of all ages including families with children.

The rope course for children.Adora Cruises

When complete, Adora Magic City will home port in Shanghai and sail to nearby destinations in Asia.

Adora Magic City's water park.Adora Cruises

Adora already has another vessel, the 2,680-passenger Mediterranea.

The Mediterranea.Adora Cruises

Instead, it previously belonged to Carnival Corp's Costa Cruises.