Adora Cruises Limited[1] (formerly CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping) is a Chinese-American cruise line that was scheduled to begin operation in 2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
History
CSSC Carnival was founded in October 2015 as a joint venture, worth about $4 billion over ten years, between United Kingdom and United States' Carnival Corporation & plc, Chinese sovereign wealth fundChina Investment Corporation, and Chinese shipbuilder China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).[2] CSSC Carnival is headquartered in Hong Kong and is majority owned by the Chinese shareholders, which collectively own 60% of the company, with Carnival holding the remainder.[2][3] In September 2016, the company announced plans to order two new ships, with options for two more, with deliveries planned to begin in 2022.[4]
In February 2017, two more options were added to the order, and it was announced that the vessels would be built at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Company through a joint venture between CSSC, owner of the shipyard, and Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, with the first ship to be delivered in 2023.[4]
In November 2018, the contract for the first two Chinese-built ships was formally signed at a cost of about $1.5 billion, and CSSC Carnival announced that it planned to purchase two ships already in service, to enter its fleet beginning in late 2019.[5]
The first Chinese-built vessel, to be constructed off of the Vista-class design, is expected to be delivered in 2023, with the sister ship following in 2024.[7] If all four options are exercised, a new ship will be delivered annually through 2028.[3]
As of October 2023, Mediterranea has entered service for the brand, which will be followed with Adora Magic City in January 2024. Costa Atlantica however was resold in October 2023 and will not enter service with the brand.
