A travel agency in Anhui province is now marketing a 5-day cruise to Japan and Korea on a luxury liner called Legend of the Seas. This is the first attempt by a local tourism industry player to enter the cruise market. Tourists will be able to enjoy the deluxe trip with prices starting from 5,780 yuan per person. The ship will set sail from Shanghai on March 19.

"We chartered the ship last November,” Mr Wang from the agency said, "Legend of the Seas is the largest 5-star deluxe liner departing from a Chinese port. Its tonnage reaches 700,000 and can carry 2,076 people.”

According to the itinerary, passengers will visit Fukuoka city, the Halla Mountain, the Yongduam Rock and the Seongsan Sunrise Peak when the ship stops at Fukuoka in Japan and Jeju in Korea.

On board Legend of the Seas are two restaurants, seven lounges with different themes, a theatre, a mini golf course, a piano bar, a rock-climbing club, a lido pool and many other entertainment options. The most luxurious accommodation choice on the ship is the royal suite, which is about 100 square meters large and is equipped with a whirlpool bathtub, piano, a personal bar and other facilities.

By now, 1,000 tourists, 20 percent of which are from Anhui province, have booked their places on board. Even the royal suites selling at 15,000 yuan have all been sold out. 500 places are currently available, and the reservation will be open to tourists from all parts of China until the beginning of March.

By Shi Qian, Audrey and Natalie Thomas