Adora Magic City

The 2023-built/2024-inaugurated Adora Magic City cruise ship (also known as AIDA Modu) is the first of two China-built vessels ordered by CSSC CARNIVAL CRUISE and operated under the new travel brand Adora Cruises (established in 2022 and inaugurated in 2023).

Magic City's sister ship, Flora City, is currently scheduled for inauguration in the fourth quarter of 2026. CSSC CARNIVAL CRUISE's fleet also includes two older ships (transferred to CSSC Carnival from Costa Cruises in January 2020) – Costa Atlantica (2000-built/sold in 2023) and Costa Mediterranea (2003-built).

According to the shipbuilding contract, in addition to the two initial units (each costing US$ 770M/EUR 700M based on 2019 currency rates), there is an option for four more ships of the same class to be produced by SWS/Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. The negotiated shipbuilding cost was reportedly about 1/5th cheaper than if the units were constructed in Europe.

The Adora Magic City vessel (IMO number 9871036) is currently Panama-flagged (MMSI 352001180) and registered in Colon. It is expected that, following the official delivery, the ship's registry/flag state will be changed to Hong Kong, China.

Adora Magic City (also known as Aida Modu/阿依达魔都) is the first large cruise ship manufactured in China, named in recognition of Shanghai’s local nickname, "Magic City" (魔法城). There are currently four mega-cities associated with this title: London (England), Tokyo (Japan), New York City (USA), and Shanghai (China).

History - construction and ownership

Adora Cruises Ltd (shipowner) is a joint venture company founded in October 2015 (originally as "CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Ltd" and renamed in June 2023). The company operates the fully owned subsidiary and new travel brand, Adora Cruises. CSSC Carnival China was initially scheduled to begin operations in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 crisis, the brand's debut was postponed until 2023.

CSSC-Carnival's Adora Cruises is a joint venture between Carnival Corporation (founded in 1972) and China Merchants Group Ltd (founded in 1872, based in Hong Kong). Most of CSSC Carnival Cruise is owned by Chinese shareholders (60%), with the remaining 40% held by Carnival. The Chinese stockholders include CIC (China Investment Corporation) and CSSC (China State Shipbuilding Corporation). Carnival Corporation plc is the world's largest cruise ship owner (and passenger shipping company) by combined fleet size (number of vessels and GT tonnage/volume) and berth capacity.

Adora Cruises' two newbuilds – Adora Magic City and Adora Flora City (2026) – are based on a modified Carnival VISTA design, represented by the sister ships Carnival Vista (2016), Carnival Horizon (2018), Carnival Panorama (2019), Carnival Venezia (2019-built as Costa Venezia), and Carnival Firenze (2020-built as Costa Firenze).

In comparison to the original Carnival VISTA design, the CSSC Adora ships have a Gross Tonnage of 136,200 GT (vs 133,596), Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) of 13,820 tons (vs 13,415), the same waterline beam (37 m/max width 46 m, with the Navigation Bridge’s wings), and the same draught (8.55 m/28 ft).

The vessel is equipped with a total of 20 lifeboats, each with a capacity of 314 seats.

For major construction milestones and events, visit the ship's Wiki page.

Decks and Cabins

Adora Magic City offers 2,125 staterooms, all of which include standard amenities such as 2 twin beds (convertible to Queen-size), a wardrobe, an electronic safe box, lifejackets (in the closet), a seating/lounge area (with mirrored vanity/writing desk and chair), a smart HDTV (with satellite reception and infotainment system), direct-dial phone, hairdryer, minibar, and an en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, mirrored single-sink vanity).

All balcony staterooms feature sofabeds to accommodate a 3rd or 4th passenger. WiFi is available in all staterooms for an additional charge, as well as in public areas. Suites receive free 24-hour room service, slippers, bathrobes, a drinks package, and a personal valet.

The ship has 16 decks, 14 of which are passenger-accessible, and 12 contain cabins.

The ship also has a total of 701 crew cabins, with a capacity to accommodate 1,292 staff/crew members.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Confirmed amenities onboard include a large performing arts center, numerous restaurants and cafes (both complimentary and specialty dining venues), various lounges and bars, art corridors, children's clubs, a spa, an outdoor amusement park with a circular-shaped waterslide, and a kids' playground with 11 water-play features. A spacious sunbathing area is available for children.

The 16-story ship offers an expansive 40,000 m² (430,556 ft²) of public space.

The Aquapark features three water slides spanning four decks. Additional fun facilities include the Rope Garden (an outdoor activity course with 360-degree sea views) and the VR/Virtual Reality gaming center.

Exact details on Adora Magic City’s venues, facilities, and onboard services will be announced soon.

The next review is based on the ship Carnival Venezia, which was thoroughly redesigned during an extensive drydock in 2023 following its transfer from Costa to CCL-Carnival Cruise Line.

Adora Magic City has a complimentary Main Dining Room (on two levels/decks 4-5, waiter-served) open for Breakfast, Brunch (seadays only), Lunch (seadays only), and Dinner. On port days, breakfast is served between 7:30-9:30 am (closed for lunch). Dining room hours are subject to change based on the itinerary/port arrival times or scheduled onboard activities. On seadays, one MDR serves Brunch (breakfast and lunch between 8:30 am - 1 pm), while the other MDR serves Breakfast (between 8-10 am) and Lunch (between 12-noon and 1:30 pm). Afternoon Tea service (between 3-4 pm/seadays only) is complimentary and includes a selection of teas, paninis/mini sandwiches, and sweets. Dinner (seadays/portdays) is served with 2 fixed/pre-assigned seatings - Early (at 6 pm) and Late (at 8:15 pm), plus Anytime ("Your Time Dining" between 5:45-9:30 pm).

The Lido Restaurant is also complimentary and operates as a self-service buffet restaurant offering open-seating Breakfast (7:30 am - 12-noon, made-to-order omelet station), Lunch (12-noon - 2:30 pm), Dinner (6-9:30 pm, Good Eats buffet), and Late Night Snacks (11 pm - 1 am). The Good Eats buffet menu is an alternative to the Main Dining Room, offering steaks, prime rib, grilled chicken, pastas, salads, desserts, and a daily Chef's Special. The Lido Restaurant features various take-away food stations and themed food bars, including Adora Deli (sandwiches, draught beer dispenser), Mongolian Wok (stir-fry, made-to-order Asian food), Pasta Bar (choice of pastas, sauces, toppings), Salad Bar (35 items), Pizza Bar (24-hour Pizzeria), Chef's Choice Bar (international cuisine), Hot and Cold Buffet (stir-fries, pasta, carving station), Grille (burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken sandwiches), and a Dessert Bar (also offering sugar-free items). The Lido Buffet also includes a 24-hour self-serve tea/coffee station and machines for soft ice cream and yogurt.

As is typical for Carnival ships, Adora Magic City offers signature dining venues such as:

• Seafood Restaurant (lunch and dinner, waiter service), with indoor/outdoor seating, à la carte menu, offering lobster, shrimp, crab cakes, oysters, Fish & Chips, and other specialties.
• Steakhouse (at a surcharge, reservations recommended), serving appetizers, salads, steaks (prime-aged beef), ribeye, filet mignon, lamb chops, lobster, fish, and desserts. The food is wheeled to the table for examination, and a cooking demonstration is offered.
• Teppanyaki Sushi Restaurant (reservations required), serving Far East specialties with a live cooking performance at custom-built cooking stations.
• Pizzeria (complimentary, 24-hour, self-serve) offering fresh-baked pizzas and made-to-order pies.
• BBQ Restaurant (outdoor bar open on seadays only) offering fast food grilled items such as steak, pork, chicken, sliders, and BBQ tacos.

The ship's main show lounge, Metropol Theater (capacity 975 seats), hosts grand-style productions with live performances (tribute acts, singing, and dancing), combined with sound and lighting special effects. Evening shows last 30 minutes, and music is supported by HD media projected on large LED screens. During the day, the Theater hosts seminars, lectures, multimedia presentations, bingo, port talks, and other enrichment activities.

China's first Comedy Theater at Sea is a partnership with Mahua FunAge (Kaixin Mahua Cultural Tourism Development Co. Ltd.).

The ship also has a complimentary outdoor Cinema with a large LED screen, showing funny videos, TV shows, concerts, live sporting events, and evening movies (under the stars) with complimentary popcorn.

Adora Magic City features a large Casino (with Annex/VIP Room) offering slot machines and table games like Craps, Roulette, and Black Jack. The casino is closed when the ship is in port and opens 30-60 minutes after departure.

Other notable features include the large Adora Shopping Center/Plaza (duty-free mall with luxury-brand boutiques), Photo Gallery & Shop, Art Gallery, Wellness Complex, and outdoor activities like SkyCourse (suspended ropes course), Multi-Sports Course, and Mini-Golf Course.

Itineraries

Adora Magic City's itinerary program is based on homeporting in Shanghai, China, offering roundtrip voyages targeting Chinese/East Asian tourists. The Maiden Voyage (from Shanghai Wusongkou Terminal) was initially scheduled for December 21, 2023, and later postponed to January 1, 2024.

Bookings for the inaugural cruise opened on September 20, 2023.

The original 6-night/7-day maiden sailing was a roundtrip from Shenzhen/Shekou to Japan, visiting Miyako/Iwate (day 3) and Naha/Okinawa (day 5). Prices started from NT$34,405 (~US$1,060) per person, including taxes.

A 4-day test voyage was conducted from December 25-29, with the liner staying overnight in Kagoshima, Japan (Dec 26-27).

Adora Magic City's inaugural cruise (first commercial voyage) departed from Shanghai Wusongkou on January 1st, visiting Seogwipo (Jeju Island, South Korea), Nagasaki, and Fukuoka in Japan.

Adora Magic City is based in Asia year-round, offering roundtrip departures from Shanghai and other Chinese homeports.

Adora’s fleet operates year-round in Asia, with 7-day and longer itineraries combining domestic routes with popular destinations in Japan, Korea, and some Southeast Asian countries.