China to expand its cruise market, include longer sailings to the destinations across Asia: What are the new updates you need to know?

In China, the market is expanding its offerings to include longer cruises to destinations across Asia.

Moving away from its traditional short cruise model, Chinese brands are now adding an increasing number of longer voyages in the near future.

The traditional cruise typically features three- to five-night itineraries to Japan and South Korea.

The change is a response to price fluctuations and increased competition in the short cruise space, a news reported.

The practice is particularly popular among domestic cruise brands, the website said, as they aim to differentiate themselves from international competitors.

Another contributing factor is the maturity of the Chinese market, as stated in the report, which allows brands to diversify their offerings and expand their scale.

Companies offering longer voyages include Blue Dream Cruises, which recently announced a 33-day sailing onboard the Blue Dream Melody for November 2024.

The month-long journey will venture through Southeast Asia and the Far East, with visits to ten countries and 17 destinations, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan.

The Blue Dream Melody will also offer a 14-night cruise to Japan and South Korea a few weeks earlier, in mid October.

Another brand capitalizing on the trend is Adora Cruises, which recently launched a 12-night cruise to Southeast Asia.

The new itinerary sails from Xiamen to Guangzhou onboard the Adora Mediterranea in early December.

After departing from Xiamen, the 2,100-guest vessel will visit Manila, Philippines; Sabah, Malaysia; and Brunei, Brunei Darussalam.

The Mediterranea will then head to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Singapore before arriving in Guangzhou.

International brands like Royal Caribbean International are following this trend as well by offering more five- to seven-night cruises departing from Chinese ports.