“GBA No. 1,” China’s first comprehensive high-end sightseeing cruise in the Greater Bay Area, will be put into service starting Sept. 1.
The cruise will take residents and tourists on a voyage along Shenzhen Bay while they get together with friends and family for sightseeing and entertainment, as announced yesterday during a media open day held at Shekou Cruise Home Port in Nanshan District.
The launch of the ship is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and aims to facilitate cultural exchanges within the Greater Bay Area.
Built by China Merchants Shekou Holdings (CMSK), the sightseeing cruiseship, weighing 2,380 tons, is a catamaran which is 71.95 meters in length and 18.72 meters in width with a draught of 2.57 meters and a capacity of 350 passengers. All the key equipment of the ship is made in China.
According to CMSK, the cruiseship is equipped with such new technologies as the use of intelligent equipment operation and maintenance platform and network components technologies based on the Internet of Things (IoT), which has low-noise and zero emissions.
The ship has sightseeing areas, an exhibition hall, atriums, stores for technological products, multifunctional classrooms, theaters and other recreational areas. In fact, the exhibition hall is the first of its kind in the field of shipbuilding, mainly displaying the achievements of Shenzhen since the reform and opening up.
The banquet restaurant, exquisite maritime restaurants and exclusive private boxes can accommodate businesses, weddings and entertaining events.
Simulated driving experiences, interactive technology experience area, deck sightseeing and other activities on board will satisfy passengers’ needs for leisure and entertainment.
The theater, science classrooms and atriums can accommodate year-end parties for companies, brand releases, etc.
According to the schedule, there will be three sailings on weekdays and four on weekends. Service time will range from 100 to 180 minutes, covering morning time, lunch time, afternoon tea time and dinner time. Tickets can be booked on the official WeChat account of “CMSK Cruise Home Port” (招商蛇口邮轮母港 WeChat ID: cmhk-xl).