Chinese operator SeaSky Cruise Line will expand its homeporting next year to five different cities.
Moving beyond its usual Shanghai base, the SkySea ship Golden Era will also sail seasonally from Xiamen, Qingdao, Shenzhen and Keelung in Taiwan in 2018.
It was described as a ‘solid step forward in the implementation of the greater China strategy of local cruise brands,’ said CEO Ken Muskat.
In 2018 SkySea will also sail to Vietnam for the first time with calls at Halong Bay and Da Nang.
New port calls debuted this year in Japan and the Philippines such as Sasebo, Okinawa, Manila and Boracay, will continue through 2018.
The line said there will be more overnight and late-night stays in port until 10pm, so SeaSky is introducing themed evening excursions and entertainment focused activities called ‘SkySea Nights.’
There are more than 10 cruises in 2018 with scheduled port calls lasting until 10 pm or later in the evening.
SkySea will also again market its ‘Cruise+’ ocean and land programmes for its repositioning cruises aimed at the growing markets in central and western China, the line said.
