Adora Cruises, a Chinese-American cruise line, was formed in October 2015 as a joint venture between Carnival Corporation & plc, China Investment Corporation, and CSSC. Originally planned to start operations in 2020, the company faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adora Flora City, measuring 341 meters in length and with a gross tonnage of 141,900 tonnes, is 17.4 meters longer than its predecessor, Adora Magic City, China’s first homegrown cruise ship.
The vessel features two desulfurization systems and five environmental protection solutions to reduce harmful emissions, reflecting a commitment to sustainable design. Adora Flora City is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026 and will begin international voyages from Guangzhou in 2027, serving routes to South and Southeast Asia.
A representative from Adora Cruises stated: “Its latest addition to the roster measures 341 meters in length, said to represent an increase of 17.4 meters compared to the newbuild’s predecessor, China’s inaugural domestically-built cruise ship Adora Magic City.” This highlights the vessel’s enhanced scale and capacity.
Adora Cruises ordered Adora Flora City in November 2018 as part of a $1.5 billion agreement with SWS and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for two Vista-class cruise ships, with options for four additional vessels. If all options are exercised, deliveries are planned annually through 2028. Adora Magic City joined the fleet in January 2024, and the company also operates Adora Mediterranea, an 85,619 GT ship acquired in 2021.
China’s growing expertise in cruise ship construction positions it to compete with established shipbuilding nations like Italy, Germany, and France. The adoption of clean fuel propulsion systems further strengthens China’s standing in sustainable shipbuilding. Industry projections estimate China’s cruise shipbuilding market could reach $731.1 million by 2032.
In 2025, China led global shipbuilding, securing orders for 3,454 of 5,735 vessels, representing 62.42% of the global orderbook or 175.4 million gross tons, according to Intermodal’s March 2025 data. South Korea and Japan followed in second and third places, respectively.
The float-out of Adora Flora City underscores China’s progress in developing a competitive cruise shipbuilding sector. By integrating advanced environmental technologies and expanding its fleet, Adora Cruises aims to meet growing demand for sustainable cruise travel while contributing to the nation’s shipbuilding prominence.
