Carnival Corporation announced a major expansion in China and that they will the first global cruise company to have six cruise ships based in China. Carnival also plans on having four cruise brands (Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises) sailing to China by 2017. The announcement includes the potential to launch the first domestic Chinese cruise brand. The Chinese cruise market is expected to eventually become the largest cruise market in the world.Expansion plans for 2016 and 2017
- In 2016, Carnival Corporation will be the first global cruise company with six ships based in China (Princess Cruises and Costa Cruises), maintaining a strong leadership position in China with nearly half the market share.
- In 2016, with the expansion to six ships in China, Carnival will see at 58 percent capacity increase and offer an industry-leading four million passenger cruise days in China, substantially more than its closest competitor.
- Princess’ new ship – Majestic Princess will be the first luxury cruise ship specifically built for the Chinese market when launched in Shanghai in 2017.
- With four brands operating in China in 2017, Carnival is demonstrating its long-term, multi-brand strategy to provide a variety of vacation options and cruise experiences to meet demand in all segments of the market.
- Also, Carnival is first global cruise company to sign MOUs with Chinese enterprises to form potential Joint Ventures for shipbuilding, port development and potentially launching the first domestic Chinese cruise brand.
- As further investment in the region, Carnival Corporation announced that Michael Ungerer would assume the role of chief operations officer for Carnival Asia, a newly created position for the company, to execute on growth plans to take advantage of growing cruise demand across Asia.
Current capacity in 2015
- In 2014-2015, Carnival Corporation leads the industry with nearly 50% market share in China.
- In 2015, Carnival became the FIRST to have FOUR ships based in China – Costa Serena arrived in April 2015, joining Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria and Sapphire Princess already homeported in China.
- In 2015, Carnival expects over 500,000 passengers in China, up from about 350,000 in 2014, which is a 43% increase year over year.
- In 2015, Costa Atlantica set sail on the first-ever round-trip world cruise from China, out of Shanghai.
- Costa is also the first cruise company to run a winter cruise season out of Shanghai and Tianjin.
Background
- First global cruise company in China in 2006 with Costa; added Princess as a premium brand (leader in world destinations) in 2014.
- Two current brands diversify Carnival Corporation’s offering in China, targeting contemporary and premium travelers (now adding two more brands to serve all segments of the growing market).
- First cruise company to base Asia Fleet Operations in Shanghai to better serve the Chinese market.
- Carnival Corporation will have offices in 16 cities in 2016: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Tianjin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Changsha, Chengdu, Xi’An, Chongqing.
Cruise Fever will have all updates on Carnival Corporation’s future plans in China when they are announced. This will include which ships from the Carnival and AIDA brands that will be sent to China in 2017.
Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation, gave the following statement:
“We are excited to introduce our Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises brands to our fleet in China, giving us a total of four global cruise brands in the market and a unique opportunity to provide a diverse lineup of brands and cruise offerings to Chinese guests who are looking for a great vacation experience.
As we execute our multi-brand growth strategy in China, we are emphasizing choice and variety in our offerings to match the different tastes and preferences of Chinese travelers.
As more and more Chinese are discovering why cruising is the best vacation experience, they are having a great time on our Costa and Princess brands, and we look forward to even more Chinese travelers enjoying vacations on our AIDA and Carnival brands. This is an exciting time in China for the cruise industry, and as the world’s largest cruise company and the first global cruise operator in China, we are more committed than ever to helping China become one of the world’s most popular regions for cruise vacations.”
Source: Carnival Corporation