Royal Caribbean has confirmed it will boost its capacity in China in June 2013, when it deploys the 3,114-passenger Mariner of the Seas to replace the 1,800-passenger Legend of the Seas.

Legend of the Seas has operated from Singapore and Shanghai for the past three years and will reposition to Europe.

The Mariner will join the 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas, which is launching service in China this month.

“We have made it clear we see Asia in general, and China in particular, as a strategic objective,” said Richard Fain, chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises.

“We have been so pleased by the market’s response to bringing Voyager of the Seas to Asia that it made strategic sense to send a second ship of equal size.”