I trust you’ve had heard too much misfortune and bad news about the cruise line industry in the beginning of 2012.

The Italian cruise liner Costa Concordia of Costa Crociere (Costa Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation), who has a not-wearing-his-glasses captain, went capsized as a ship wreck for good after hitting a rock off the coast of Isola del Giglio on January 13.  Thirty-two people are reported dead or still missing after the tragic accident with no officially settlement has been reached with the victims yet.

 

And most recently, another poor fish from the troublesome Costa Crociere—the Costa Allegra caught herself in a mysterious fire from the engine room. The ship had to be wandering in the Indian Ocean for 3 days until she was finally towed by a fishing vessel into the Victoria\'s harbor,SeychellesIsland, last Thursday on March 1, 2012.

"Sincerely sorry" is the word you can always find in Costa’s statements after the accidents. But who will buy that? According to a survey from Cruise Compete, the demand for a luxury and leisure ocean going trip worldwide fell 20 percent comparing with the same period last year.

 

I have to say Bon Voyage and Good Luck to those people who bought tickets of Costa Victoria, and enjoy your time when she’s calling Shanghai.

 

Ok. Here comes two pieces of good news which may to some extend cheer you up.

 

The first Mainland-China controlled cruise ship China Star is about to set sail tomorrow on March 8. Huang Weijian, owner of the ship, is a well renownedWenzhoubusinessman, who bought the previous named Asia Star from The King of Gambling and Entertainment Tycoon Stanley Ho (Ho Hung Sun) with a total amount of around 45 million dollars. After the sea trial, the ship will be open for business in late March. Operating by China Cruises Company, the future route will include Zhoushan-Taiwan, Zhoushan-Okinawa, Shanghai-Okinawa-Jeju, Xiamen-Penghu Islands-Taiwan, Tianjin-Inchon-Jeju andShenzhen-HalongBaylines.

 

“The new China Star after an overall refurbishment is tailored for high end clients” said Mr. Cai Yuanyou vice president of China Cruises during a press conference when introducing the ship to public.

Last NovemberWenzhou PrivateCapitalInvestmentServiceCenter(WPCISC) head by Huang Weijian as well has signed a Cooperative Agreements with Zhoushan Municipal Tourism Committee to invest 2 billion RMB into the development ofZhoushanHarboras an international cruise destination.

With Chinese government putting more strength on the maritime economy, the cruise line and private yacht industry will see a boom in the coming years. Hainan,ShanghaiandTianjinare becoming hot spots for both players domestic and aboard. Besides the above mentioned Costa Crociere, the Royal Caribbean Cruises will also sail cruise ships toChinathis year.

 

And one of the world’s top maritime universities, the Dalian Maritime University announced on its website to establish a new branch of Tourism Management under subject of Cruise Line and Private Yacht Management. In light of the globalization and modernization of the world economy, understanding the rapid development of China’s economy and the fast growth of its GDP and further understanding the bright future of Cruise Line and Private Yacht industry thereof, the new branch is to set, reads on the website. A teacher from DLMU says it is really a good opportunity for students interested in both hospitality and sea. And DLMU is the only university at this moment has such course inChina. President Wang Zuwen of DLMU are not available for comment.