CCL Jubilee

The 1986-built (as "MS Jubilee") cruise ship MS Henna was last owned by the Chinese company HNA Tourism Cruises. The vessel was constructed for Carnival Cruise Line by Saab Kockums AB (shipbuilder based in Malmo, Sweden). In November 2015, HNA Cruises ceased operations after three years of financial losses due to the deployment of newer ships in East Asia. Following its final voyage, Henna was laid up and listed for sale at USD 35 million. In August 2017, Carnival's former vessel was scrapped at Alang, India.

The ship's identification numbers were IMO 8314122 and MMSI 248708000 (last registered in Malta, flag of convenience). Carnival Jubilee was a Holiday-class vessel with sisterships Carnival Celebration (later Grand Celebration for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line) and Carnival Holiday (later CMV Magellan).

This vessel shares its name with the new Carnival Jubilee (2023-built EXCEL-class liner).

History - construction and ownership

The 2,000-passenger ship Henna was regarded as the first and largest luxury cruise ship in mainland China. In 2004, she was acquired by P&O Cruises Australia and renamed "Pacific Sun." Following her sale, the vessel operated year-round from Sydney, NSW to the South Pacific and Tropical North Queensland. A multi-million dollar refurbishment transformed her exterior to all-white livery.

In late 2008, the ship encountered a storm-related accident that injured 42 passengers. In 2011, P&O Australia sold the vessel. In 2012, she was renamed "Henna" after being acquired by HNA Tourism Cruises (China). HNA Cruises officially ceased cruise operations in November 2015.

In September 2013, MS Henna was detained in Jeju Island's port Cheju (South Korea) following a seizure application filed by Jiangsu Shagang International. Passengers remained onboard for seven days before being repatriated. HNA Cruises permanently shut down operations by late November 2015, citing mounting losses and increasing competition from newer and larger ships entering the Chinese cruise market. HNA continued to operate as a cruise booking agency.

Decks and Cabins

The ship had a total of 739 staterooms, including 9 Balcony Suites, 432 Oceanview cabins, and 298 Interior cabins.

The liner’s maximum passenger capacity was 1,965, with an additional 670 crew and staff.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

On MS Henna, dress code was relaxed. Many older passengers could be seen in pajamas around the ship, a custom in mainland China symbolizing leisure. Bars were typically quiet due to the absence of a bar culture among most Chinese guests. However, shopping and gambling venues were popular.

Itineraries

MS Henna’s cruise program was focused around the Korean Peninsula and East Asia. The winter itinerary (January to April) operated roundtrip from Sanya, China to Halong Bay, Vietnam. During the summer season (May to September), the ship was homeported in Tianjin, China.

A shorter cruise from Tianjin included a visit to Incheon–Seoul, South Korea.