Carnival’s Global Expansion Just Got Bigger
by Peter Newall
Today the Carnival Corporation announced that it had formed a joint venture in China to “launch the first world-class, multi-ship domestic cruise brand in the Chinese market. Carnival Corporation & plc is partnering with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Investment Corporation (CIC) on the new venture aimed at accelerating the development and growth of the overall cruise industry in China, which is expected to eventually become the largest cruise market in the world.”
The joint venture deal was formalised at a signing ceremony held today at the Mansion House in London with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Chinese President Xi Jinping in attendance. As part of the deal “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. Specific fleet details will be announced at a later date, but potential plans could include the purchase of both new and existing cruise ships to homeport in China.”
From the first sailing of MARDI GRAS ex EMPRESS OF CANADA on March 11, 1972, Carnival’s growth has been amazing. It is now the major player not only in the US but also Germany, Italy, the UK, Australia and now the biggest market of all, China.
Peter Newall
Peter Newall is a former British Airways executive who has, in the past 57
years, visited and travelled on many famous ships. As well as numerous
articles he has written nine highly acclaimed books including the
definitive histories of Union-Castle, Orient and Cunard Line. He also owns
the Newall Dunn Collection, the extensive collection of historic merchant
shipping images.
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Just what is the Chinese market. Not just Carnival – there are other cruise lines as well – entering the market this hugely populous market.
Releases speak of “readying ” ships for the market, specifically stating the Chinese market.
I must agree with that. I’ working in one of the bigest and I see this
The rush to China is on, big time! Carnival Cruise Lines just committed today to move the CARNIVAL MIRACLE and CARNIVAL SPLENDOR to China in addition to all the other plans the corporate brand has for building new ships for Chinese passengers in addition to the MAJESTIC PRINCESS. Norwegian is committing the huge new NORWEGIAN BLISS which will undoubtedly be renamed. Royal Caribbean is sending the new OVATION OF THE SEAS over. Star Cruises will be adding one their newbuilds. MSC LIRICA is repositioning to Shanghai in May, 2016. And both Aida and Costa will move additional ships over to China. The projected market for China just this year has been around 1.1 million people but many in the industry are expecting this to grow into the largest source market of passengers in the world. And to think the first “modern” cruise service to China just started in 1979/80 with the little AQUAMARINE, which helped open the country up to Western tourism for the first time since the revolution. Amazing!
Mamma Mia!