SkySea Cruises will serve the growing Chinese cruise market, with operations starting in the middle of 2015. The cruise line will initially operate with one cruise ship, but there will be potential for more to be added.
Richard Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean, commented on the venture:
We look forward to working with Ctrip, a Chinese travel leader, to build a national cruise line for China.
SkySea Cruises represents an important strategic milestone in our expansion efforts in the Chinese market.
Our partnership with Royal Caribbean will allow us to bring the very best cruise vacations tailor-made for Chinese travelers.
We expect SkySea Cruises to be an integral part of China's fast growing cruise market.