On July 23, AIDA Cruises, the full-capability operating company of CSSC Cruises Technology Development, signed a cooperation agreement with Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port, announcing that the second domestically built large cruise ship will mainly rely on the operation of the homeport in Guangzhou and actively layout the market in South China. The signing of the agreement also signifies that the two sides will work together to promote the construction of the whole industry chain ecosystem of Guangzhou cruise ships and explore the creation of an innovative model for the integration of the cruise economy and culture, commerce and tourism.
The much-anticipated the second domestically built large cruise ship under AIDA Cruises has entered the accelerated period of assembly, and is scheduled to be completed and delivered by the end of 2026, and will officially open international routes in Guangzhou Nansha Cruise Home Port in 2027.
Compared with the first domestic large-scale cruise ship “AIDA Magic City”, the second cruise ship has a larger gross tonnage, longer length, and the number of guest rooms has increased to 2,144. The entertainment and leisure system has been comprehensively upgraded, and the area of public areas and outdoor leisure and entertainment areas has been greatly increased.
It is worth mentioning that “AIDA Magic City” operates as a homeport in South China and incorporates elements of Lingnan culture and the Maritime Silk Road into its product and experience design, aiming to create an innovative maritime culture and tourism fusion scenario for guests, helping to become an eye-catching maritime business card in South China.
AIDA Cruises plans to deploy cruise lines from Guangzhou at its Nansha International Cruise Homeport in 2024, enriching the travel options for consumers in South China. In addition, AIDA Cruises will work with Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government, Nansha District People’s Government and Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port to carry out a series of cruise pilot projects, developing innovative cruise itinerary products in conjunction with the construction of the “One Belt, One Road”, exploring diversified cultural, commercial and travel innovation experiences, to create a new pattern for the high-quality development of the cruise industry in South China and China.
At present, AIDA Cruises has two large cruise ships – the first domestic large cruise ship “AIDA Magic City” and the “Art Ship” AIDA Mediterranean, which have served more than 300,000 domestic and foreign guests. The name of the second domestically built large cruise ship is expected to be released in the near future. In the future, Aida Cruises will continue to cultivate the Chinese market, launch more innovative cruise vacation products, and create more wonderful and diversified cruise experiences for guests.