Interviews: Chinese Cruise Ship Passengers on Norwegian Joy

China is now the world’s second largest cruise market, with capacity rising to nearly 3 million passengers in 2017. We interviewed passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Joy cruise between Shanghai and Okinawa to find out why cruises are so popular for Chinese tourists.

1. Lu Yiying, Shanghai

Is this your first time on a cruise?
No, it’s my second time. Last time I went to Japan and South Korea.

Why did you decide to travel by cruise?
It’s relaxing and you’re not rushed. It suits older people.

How did you find out about and choose this cruise?
I found out about it on the internet, and I liked that it was such a big ship.

Who are you traveling with?
I’m traveling with a group, together with friends and family.

Have you traveled overseas before?
Yes, I’ve been to Southeast Asia, Europe, France, Germany, USA. I haven’t been to the UK, but the UK is very safe – you don’t have to worry about thieves. France is really bad for this, especially for tour groups.

What was your favorite part of the visit to Japan yesterday?
Shopping! (买买买!) I bought lots of things – electronics, health products.

How did you book this trip?
Through a travel agent, CITIC.

Do you have any other plans to travel abroad?
I want to go to Spain and the UK, and also Australia.

2. Gong Guosheng, Shanghai

Is this your first time taking a cruise?
No, it’s my second time. The first time was from Guangzhou to Shanghai. Next time, I think I would fly to Japan.

Who are you traveling with?
With my daughter and her brother. My daughter booked the trip.

Do you know how she booked it?
No, my daughter takes care of these things – we older people don’t have to worry about it.

What activities have you done on the boat?
Go-karting and swimming.

Did you also do shopping in Japan?
I just bought some things to eat.

Have you traveled abroad before?
I’m 68 years old, and retired 8 years ago, so now I have the opportunity to travel. I’ve been to Europe and America. I like to go abroad twice a year. Next year I’m planning to go to Scandinavia and Russia. There’s also a round-the-world cruise that’s over 100 days and costs RMB120,000 that I’m interested in.

3. Ge Haiying, Shanghai

Is this your first time on a cruise?
It’s my second time. I want to Japan once before on a cruise.

Why did you decide to take a cruise?
It’s a convenient way to travel with children and parents together. I’m here with my daughter and my parents.

What activities have you done on the ship?
Go-karting, seeing the shows, KTV, going to the gym. My daughter has enjoyed the kids’ area.

Did you go to Japan yesterday?
Yes, I went alone and left my parents and daughter on the cruise. I really liked the shopping street that was like Nanjing Lu in Shanghai, with lots of nice things to buy.

Where have you traveled before?
USA, Europe, New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Bali. I like to travel abroad at least once a year.

How did you find out about this cruise?
On WeChat – they have an account. Actually, lots of cruise lines have WeChat accounts now, and there are so many cruises that the prices are getting lower and lower. I booked the cruise myself through the WeChat platform.

Would you go on a cruise again?
Yes, maybe I’d go to Japan again. I really liked New Zealand and would like to go back, and I think there are cruises there, too.

4. Zhu Hong, Shanghai

Is this your first time on a cruise?
No, I went to Japan once before.

How did you book the cruise?
Through a company – we’re traveling with a tour group. I’m traveling together with my mother and daughter, and last time I went with my parents.

What activities have you enjoyed on the ship?
The shows, and the children’s activities.

What did you like most about going to Japan yesterday?
The scenery.

Did you do any shopping?
Yes, I bought some cosmetics.

Have you traveled abroad before?
Yes, to South Korea and Hong Kong.

Do you have any future travel plans?
You know, South Korea has been closed to travel recently, but as soon as it’s open to go there, I would like to go again.

5. Min Zhang, Wuhan

Is this your first time on a cruise?
Yes.

Do you like it?
Yes, I like it. The service is very good, and it’s safe. I really like seeing the view of the sea and the sky.

Have you done any activities on the cruise?
Yes, I’ve watched the shows and also did some dancing.

How did you book the trip?
My children booked it for me. We’re traveling as part of a group.

Have you traveled overseas before?
No, this is my first time.

What did you think about the trip to Japan yesterday?
It was really clean, and I did some shopping. But it seemed like a small village. The houses and architecture there weren’t very impressive compared to Wuhan – it’s like what you would find in a Chinese village. And it was expensive.

Do you plan to travel overseas again in the future?
Maybe in a few years. I would like to go to Thailand and Singapore and the USA.

Read our article on the four-day cruise from Shanghai to Okinawa to learn more about Norwegian Joy here.