A week after Carnival Corporation announced that Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA cruise brands are moving into China, the corporation announced on Wednesday that they’re creating a cruise brand exclusive to China, under a joint venture. This will be Carnival Corporation’s 11th cruise line, second new cruise line this year.
Joint Venture
Under the structure of the new joint venture, Carnival Corporation & plc and CSSC, the largest shipbuilder in China, plan to purchase and operate cruise ships as part of what is expected to be the first multi-ship fleet sailing for a domestic Chinese cruise brand.
Carnival Corporation will hold 40 percent and CSSC will hold 60 percent. Carnival will operate the new cruise line.
Fleet Details
Right now details on the ships, tonnage, and fleet size are contingent on market research. Potential plans could include the purchase of both new and existing cruise ships to homeport in China.
The cruise line is not yet named.
Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises will sail year-round in the Chinese market in 2017, making Carnival Corporation & plc the first company to operate four cruise brands in China.
