China’s first domestically manufactured cruise ship, the Adora Magic City, set sail on 1 January 2024 from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Port on a seven-day voyage.

Short of its capacity of 5,246 passengers, the ship's maiden voyage began with 3,000 onboard, before stopping at Jeju Island in South Korea as well as Nagasaki and Fukuoka in Japan.

Manufactured by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, the Adora Magic City weighs in at 135.5K DWT, is 323.6m long, and can reach a top speed of 22.6 knots.

The cruise ship's maiden voyage follows a successful trial voyage in July 2023. As previously reported, the cruise ship underwent rigorous tests and emergency drills following its successful undocking on 6 June 2023.

Finnish maritime technology company Wärtsilä delivered a suite of solutions to the ship, including automation and control systems, low-location lighting, the navigation system, and smart motor control units.

Zhou Qi, project manager at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding emphasised the symbolism of the cruise liner for China's growing global strength.

Qi said: “The project's importance lies in its role as a symbol of China's process in shipbuilding and Wärtsilä ANCS, with their innovative products and continuous support, have allowed us to set new standards in China for the luxury cruising industry”.

The launch of Adora Magic City was the first cruise liner launch of 2024, but it won't be the biggest. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will make its maiden voyage on 27 January 2024.

The Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,800 DWT and a capacity of 7,600 guests.