China's first home-built cruise ship departs from Shenzhen

With nearly 4,600 guests on board, Adora Magic City, China's first domestically built cruise ship, left on its maiden voyage from Shenzhen in Guangdong province on Thursday.

Setting off from Shekou Cruise Homeport after a water salute, the ship is embarking on a five-day and four-night trip to Hue, Vietnam. According to its operator Adora Cruises, the voyage is a new chapter in coastal cruising in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In addition to regular four- and five-night voyages, the Shenzhen cruise season, which lasts until September 16, also provides an eight-night trip to destinations in Malaysia and Vietnam, starting August 27, which is billed as an exploration of the cultural richness of the Maritime Silk Road.

Measuring 323.6 meters in length, the 136,200-gross-tonnage Adora Magic City has 2,125 cabins. Blending diverse global and Chinese cultural elements, the vessel is advertised as offering a unique innovative cruise experience by combining Eastern and Western cultures.

Adora Cruises currently operates Adora Magic City, Adora Mediterranea and Piano Land, with its routes covering the north, east and south of the Chinese mainland as well as Hong Kong.

China's second domestically made cruise ship, Adora Flora City, is scheduled for delivery on November 6, and is scheduled to depart for its inaugural voyage from Guangzhou in Guangdong province on November 22.