Carnival Corporation has announced that the new ship currently under construction for Princess Cruises will be based in China year-round when introduced in summer 2017. 

Based in Shanghai, the ship will be the first year-round international luxury vessel designed and built specifically for Chinese guests.

The as-yet-unnamed ship is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, and will carry approximately 3,600 guests on a variety of itineraries, to be announced at a later date.

Based on the design of its highly-acclaimed ships Royal Princess and Regal Princess, the new vessel will feature a number of new innovations customised for the growing number of Chinese cruise vacationers.

“Deploying our next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to growing the China cruise market and providing discerning travellers with amazing vacation experiences at sea,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Princess Cruises began homeport cruising in China just last year, with a successful inaugural season of Shanghai-based cruises aboard its ship Sapphire Princess.

This ship returns for a second China season which begins on June 4th and runs through October 2015.

The ship will be based on the design of the company’s new Royal Princess and Regal Princess which have been enthusiastically received by guests from all over the world for their luxurious and beautifully-designed spaces, array of entertainment and activity options, and multiple culinary venues.

The new ship will share many of these special features which include a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship, an over-the-ocean SeaWalk, and a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship.

Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multi-generational travellers.

In addition, the new ship will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience designed specifically for the Chinese market that the company introduced during its first season.