China Tourism Group, CSSC Back Two New Cruise Ships for Adora

China Tourism Group Co. and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation covering two new domestic cruise shipbuilding projects for Adora Cruises, with an option for a third vessel. The agreement was announced as Adora’s second large, domestically built cruise ship reached a float-out milestone and moved into final outfitting ahead of sea trials and a planned late 2026 delivery.

Memorandum targets two additional newbuilds, with first delivery aimed for 2030

The memorandum sets up plans for two additional cruise ships for Adora Cruises and keeps an option open for a third newbuild. The first of the future ships is targeted for delivery by 2030.

Beyond the headline commitment and the delivery target, no further specifications or itinerary plans were released for the prospective ships. CSSC’s Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, which built Adora’s first two large cruise ships, is positioned as the builder for the next phase as well.

Adora Flower City reaches float-out, moves from dry dock to outfitting

Adora’s second large cruise ship, named Adora Flower City, was floated out in mid-March and moved from dry dock to an outfitting berth. In project updates, the ship has also been referenced as Adora Flora City.

The vessel began construction in August 2022. During the float-out sequence, the ship underwent incline testing and other preparations before shifting to the outfitting phase; one update put the project at about 95 percent complete at the time of the milestone.

Sea trials are scheduled to begin in May 2026, followed by a planned late 2026 delivery. Adora has positioned Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port as the ship’s homeport, citing the southern China location near Hong Kong and regional travel hubs.

How the second ship differs from Adora Magic City

Adora has described Adora Flower City as an enlarged evolution of Adora Magic City, following the industry’s common approach of stretching an existing platform to add capacity and expand public areas. Adora Magic City was based on a design developed by Carnival Corporation and Fincantieri.

Adora has linked the additional length to changes in both design and guest experience, saying the ship’s proportions create a more slender look and allow for significant reworking of public spaces and stateroom layouts.

• Gross tonnage: Adora Flower City is 141,900 gross tons, compared with 136,200 gross tons for Adora Magic City.
• Length: Adora Flower City measures 341 meters (1,119 feet), compared with 324 meters (1,063 feet) for Adora Magic City, an increase of 17 meters.
• Passenger cabins: Adora Flower City is planned with 2,130 cabins, compared with 2,125 cabins on Adora Magic City.
• Maximum passenger capacity: Adora Flower City is listed at 5,232 guests, compared with 5,246 for Adora Magic City.

Onboard venues, technology upgrades, and Guangzhou design theme

Plans for Adora Flower City call for 26 restaurants and bars, along with major venues that include a theater and a gym and spa complex. Adora has also pointed to an expanded shopping area and additional children’s spaces.

Adora has said the ship includes upgrades in both space and technology compared with its first domestically built vessel, including interactive technology incorporated into cabins. The design also incorporates a flower theme tied to Guangzhou’s “Flower City” association.

What CSSC highlighted about construction complexity and efficiency

CSSC has emphasized the scale of systems integration required for a contemporary cruise ship, citing thousands of onboard systems, more than 20,000 pieces of equipment, and more than 25 million components. CSSC also cited more than 4,700 kilometers of cabling and nearly 40,000 square meters of public space.

In production updates, CSSC said the build cycle for Adora Flower City was shortened versus Adora Magic City, and that production efficiency improved by more than 20 percent. Adora has also said the construction timeline for the ship was reduced by eight months compared with the earlier project.

Fleet positioning: homeports in Shanghai, Xiamen, and Guangzhou, plus overseas ambitions

Across Adora’s current operations, Adora Magic City is homeported in Shanghai, while Adora Mediterranea, a former Costa cruise ship, has been sailing primarily from Xiamen. Adora has positioned Adora Flower City for homeported operations from Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port after delivery.

The company has also said it is planning overseas homeporting operations, meaning sailings that originate from ports outside mainland China. Adora has framed its broader direction as an effort to “accelerate the pace of Chinese cruise expansion to the international markets,” with the newly signed memorandum extending the timeline for additional Chinese-designed cruise newbuilds toward the 2030 delivery target.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many additional cruise ships are planned under the new memorandum?

The memorandum covers two new domestic cruise shipbuilding projects for Adora Cruises, with an option for a third vessel.

What is the delivery schedule for Adora Cruises’ new ships?

Adora Flower City is scheduled to begin sea trials in May 2026 and is planned for delivery in late 2026. Separately, the memorandum targets delivery of the first of the future ships by 2030.

What are the specifications of Adora Flower City?

Adora Flower City is listed at 141,900 gross tons and 341 meters in length, with 2,130 passenger cabins and a maximum passenger capacity of 5,232. Plans also call for 26 restaurants and bars, a theater, a gym and spa complex, expanded shopping, children’s spaces, and interactive cabin technology, alongside a Guangzhou “Flower City” design theme.

Where will Adora’s ships be homeported?

Adora has positioned Adora Flower City to homeport at Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port. Adora Magic City is homeported in Shanghai, and Adora Mediterranea has been operating primarily from Xiamen; the company has also said it is planning overseas homeporting operations outside mainland China.