Cruises to Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia are popular. About 51 percent liked an itinerary of four to seven days and 32 percent chose eight to 14 days.
By age, 62.2 percent of passengers were between 26 and 35, while 22.8 percent were between 36 and 45. That's an attractive long-term demographic for cruise operators compared with Western travelers, who are more likely to be retirement age.
The top reasons for Chinese to cruise included entertainment on board, relaxing on a ship instead of going to a crowded scenic spot, no need for train or flight transfers, and good itineraries.
"It's good to be with families in a different place for a holiday. Besides the vast ocean view, we have plenty of time to communicate with each other," says Zhang Lei, 42, an office worker from Sanya, Hainan province. In January, she and eight family members, including her mother, took a three-day cruise to Vietnam.
"Cruising is a slow paced lifestyle. You'll never be bored because there are colorful activities on board."
They enjoyed themselves in the gym, karaoke room and coffeehouses on board. The staff organized interactive programs such as group bodybuilding and lessons in how to cook Vietnamese dishes.
