The American group Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) finally reveals its strategy in the Chinese market. RCCL has logically chosen to support its development in the region through an alliance with one of the leading local operators: Ctrip.

The US ship-owner sold to Ctrip the Celebrity Century. The ship will leave in April 2015 the fleet of Celebrity Cruises, one of its subsidiaries.

Established in 1999, the Chinese tour operator specializing in the web, claims 10% of cruise sales in China, which would place him in a position of a market leader.

RCCL and Ctrip announced the creation of a joint venture, SkySea Cruises, which will be owned 35% by each partner, with the balance owned by an investment fund and the management of the new company.