China’s new cruise brand Astro Ocean Cruise received its first ship after the 1995-built Piano Land was named in a ceremony in Xiamen on September 26.
Formerly known as Oriana, the cruise ship was acquired by Astro Ocean from P&O Cruises.
Piano Land began its maiden cruise on September 27.
With Xiamen, Shenzhen and Shanghai as its home ports, Piano Land will serve on the Southeast and Northeast Asian cruise routes, providing Chinese tourists with services meeting both domestic demands and international standards.
With a total tonnage of about 70,000 tons, a length of 260 meters, a beam of 32.2 metes and the highest speed of 24 knots, Piano Land can accommodate 1,880 guests.
Astro Ocean Cruise is jointly co-invested and operated by China National Travel Service Group Corporation (CTS Group) and COSCO SHIPPING.
The state-owned enterprises noted that the first independently operated luxury cruise ship was part of a broader plan to develop China’s national cruise industry.
The country also has its first locally-built cruise ship under construction at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding. The newbuild is to be delivered in 2023 and will be operated by a joint venture between Carnival Corporation Plc and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).