Shipyards in Europe aren’t the only ones building massive ships these days. China just took delivery of their second domestically built cruise ship, and it looks like they are just getting started.
The 141,900 gross ton Adora Flora City was handed over to Adora Cruises on November 6, 2026, in Shanghai, China. The vessel has a November 22 maiden voyage scheduled that will sail out of its homeport in Guangzhou.
The ship was constructed by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
The build of Adora Flora City reveals some big changes compared to its sister ship. The newly delivered vessel is about 6,400 larger in terms of volume and about 57 feet longer than the cruise line’s first ship, Adora Magic City.
China’s biggest cruise ship has 15 decks, can accommodate about 5,232 guests at max capacity, and has a crew of 1,300.
Faster Builds
Not only is Adora Flora City the largest ship China has built, it was also built at a faster pace than the country’s first ship.
The new ship was finished eight months ahead of schedule because of build efficiencies at the shipyard. Even though the ship is over 6,000 gross tons larger it took just two months more to get to the finish line.
Construction began in August 2022. The shipyard completed the ship with a 20 percent boost in overall build efficiency compared to the first vessel.
To hit those build speeds, workers used augmented reality terminals on the shipyard floor to overlay 3D design models directly onto the physical assembly sites in real time, matching virtual models to physical ship blocks.
Onboard Features and Smart Tech
Adora Flora City has several innovative features built into the vessel, including some of the following:
- Boarding & Service: The ship uses AI-assisted systems and mobile check-in to enable rapid, contactless boarding. Guests will also interact with humanoid robots in the dining, reception, and shopping areas.
- Layout & Cabins: Public spaces have been expanded compared to the first ship, and new stateroom categories designed specifically for families with children have been added.
- Dining & Culture: The ship has 28 restaurants and bars, emphasizing Cantonese dim sum, regional hot pot, and custom floral design motifs honoring Guangzhou (known as China’s “Flower City”).
- Amenities: Onboard spaces include an 800-seat grand theater and a 200-meter circular running track on the upper deck.
Inaugural Sailing
Adora Flora City will dock at Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port on November 12 to prepare for its inaugural commercial sailing on November 22, 2026.
After that, the cruise line plans to transition the vessel to Hong Kong as a homeport for seasonal international itineraries.
China just built two cruise ships very quickly, and there is an option for a third which would be delivered in 2030.
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