Shanghai will become the homeport for
a Princess Cruises vessel from May next year
as the Carnival Corporation brand makes its
debut in the country.
The premium brand will deploy its
2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess vessel to
the city for four months, during which time it is
expected it will carry 70,000 passengers.
Princess Cruises president and ceo Alan
Buckelew said he was excited the company
was able to bring the brand’s premium
onboard experience to the Chinese market.
“Though we have carried thousands of
Chinese travellers on our ships over many
years, we think the time is right for a premium
cruise experience that offers a new type of
vacation experience for the Chinese consumer,
sailing from China,” Buckelew said.
Sapphire Princess will operate four different
itineraries ranging in length from 3-7 days as
part of its Shanghai deployment.
Research carried out by Princess Cruises
into the China market indicate this is the ideal
length of time an average vacation by Chinese
travellers takes place.
Destinations to be visited in different orders
depending on the voyage will include the
Korean ports of Seoul, Jeju, Inchon and Busan.
The onboard experience will consist of
distinctly Chinese themed cultural and culinary
products and services including a 24-hour
buffet, world leader dinners, wine excursions,
Tai Chi and Zumba sessions at sea.
Sapphire’s Shanghai season will go on sale
from 01 November.
