Big hitters line up for CruiseWorld China as market blossoms

Travel Weekly China has revealed the launch of CruiseWorld China on October 12th, 2015, in Shanghai, China.

The one-day event, held at the Le Royal Meridien Shanghai, will bring hundreds of travel agents and cruise industry leaders together in a day filled with insight from top cruise executives and distribution partners, and networking among attendees.

“We are so pleased to launch CruiseWorld China,” said Bob Sullivan, president of the travel group, Northstar Travel Media.

“This is an exclusive event in China where travel agents and industry executives can meet to discuss the most important issues affecting today’s travel landscape.”

Among the confirmed speakers is Zinan Liu, president of China and North Asia Pacific region for Royal Caribbean International.

The line’s fifth ship in the region, Ovation of the Seas, will launch in April 2016 and will be available for guests in June 2016.

Her sister ship, Quantum of the Seas, arrived in China in 2015.

The five Royal Caribbean International ships will comprise the largest fleet deployment in China, home porting in four metropolitan Chinese cities – Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Xiamen.

Frank Del Rio, chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line, will also be speaking at CruiseWorld China.
company will have ships from all three of its brands (Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises) sailing in Asia beginning next year to help increase brand awareness in the region.

Norwegian is also exploring the possibility of dedicated ships for the Chinese market.

Norwegian is sponsoring an exclusive evening reception and entertainment to conclude the event.

Also addressing the audience is Arnold Donald, chief executive of Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise operator in the world.

Carnival recently announced it will add two more China-based ships in 2016, increasing its fleet of Costa and Princess branded ships that homeport in China to six.

The company is also exploring potential joint ventures in China to launch a Chinese domestic cruise brand and to build new ships in China.

Among topics to be discussed are: how technology is changing consumer demand, growth trends for the China cruise market, consumer loyalty and more.

Major sponsors at CruiseWorld China include, Carnival Corporation, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International.