Cruises with Chinese characteristics
The waterfront scenery of Lucerne in Switzerland, one of the river cruise trips for Chinese travelers offered by Viking Cruises.
A major cruise liner operator is hoping to attract Chinese customers with its river cruise program in Europe.
Viking Cruises released its program for next year in Shanghai on Friday, with bespoke language services and meals for Chinese travelers.
The company plans to deploy six river cruise liners, including a new vessel with 87 double rooms, to operate nine routes in 37 European cities and towns for the Chinese market in 2020.
Jeff Dash, the company’s executive vice president, said the ships would offer “home-like services” onboard rather than the luxury entertainment facilities on its ocean-going liners.
According to a report released by China Tourism Academy and Ctrip, Chinese travelers to Europe prefer in-depth and personalized experiences and try to involve themselves in the local cultures.
It is a trend that has evolved from the once popular travel groups to Europe that visited as many cities and attractions as possible in a short period of time, according to the report.
Viking Cruises said the river cruises would allow travelers to enjoy both the convenience of well-arranged travel groups and the freedom of independent travel.
Its routes for 2020 include six cities along the Rhine and Danube — Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Milan, Amsterdam and Brussels — with another 10 historical towns such as Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic, Salzburg in Austria, Rüdesheim am Rhein in Germany and Lucerne in Switzerland.
Chinese staff will serve passengers onboard and there will be a Chinese language television, electric kettles and noodles. Interpreters will offer tour guides and translation services for passengers on land.
Shanghai received 59 international cruise liners and more than 80,000 passengers in 2006 when the Costa Allegra became the first holiday cruise liner to dock at the Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal.
Traffic surged to 466 ships and nearly 3 million passengers last year, accounting for nearly 60 percent of China’s total number of cruise liner passengers.
A canal scene in Amsterdam, venue for a river cruise that Viking Cruises hope will appeal to Chinese travelers.
A writer, composer, food critic and talk show host at a seminar in Shanghai on Friday share their opinions on river cruises in Europe.
