China's second domestically built large cruise ship was undocked in Shanghai on March 20, moving a step closer to sea trials and final delivery as the country expands its push into the cruise tourism market.
The vessel, Adora Flora City, was slowly pulled and guided out of the construction dock by powerful tugboats at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). It will enter the wharf commissioning stage, said the shipbuilder.
With a gross tonnage of 141,900, the ship measures 341 meters in length and 37.2 meters in width—17.4 meters longer than its predecessor, the Adora Magic City, China's first large homegrown cruise ship. While passenger capacity remains unchanged, the design offers expanded public spaces, including a doubled atrium.
The ship will accelerate interior installation and systems commissioning, according to Adora Cruises, the cruise line's operator. The vessel is scheduled for delivery by the end of this year and will operate international routes from Nansha International Cruise Home Port in Guangzhou, the capital of South China's Guangdong Province.
Named after Guangzhou's nickname, "Flower City," the vessel incorporates Lingnan cultural elements into its exterior design and Chinese cultural features into its dining and entertainment offerings.
The ship boasts 2,130 luxury cabins and suites, accommodating up to 5,232 passengers. Facilities include 26 restaurants and bars, a 1,000-seat grand theater, a shopping mall, an art gallery, a gym, a spa, and a kids' club. Advanced smart technology will also be introduced across cabins and public areas.
Overall construction has exceeded 94 percent, with interior outfitting at 81.9 percent and system commissioning at 68.3 percent.
To welcome the new vessel, the Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port has enhanced customs clearance services, implementing a streamlined process that reduces passenger clearance time to as little as five seconds—one of the most efficient in the country.
Reporter | Li Xindi
Photo | Adora Cruises
