China launches first cruise ship able to accommodate more than 5,000 passengers

China’s first domestically made cruise ship is set to make its maiden voyage on New Year’s Day, offering mainland travelers a way to travel abroad without completely leaving the comforts of home.

Adora Magic City will depart from the port of Shanghai on Monday on a 6-day voyage that will include Jeju Island in South Korea and the cities of Nagasaki and Fukuoka in Japan.

CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping is a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding and Carnival from the United States.

CSSC Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding built the Adora Magic City, which is 323.6 meters long and can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers in 2,125 rooms. The 16-deck ship has 22 restaurants and bars, including a mahjong lounge, a brewery, hot pot restaurants, duty-free shops, and theaters showing musicals with a decidedly Chinese flair, such as Marco Polo: An Untold Love Story.

Chinese state media described the ship as a major landmark, proof that the country’s shipbuilders can handle the most challenging projects alongside aircraft carriers and large liquefied natural gas carriers.

The ship also represents a way to make it easier for Chinese to invest abroad again while allowing for food, experiences, and familiar surroundings.