Silk Road cruise stimulates interest in China

A series of programs featuring traditional Chinese culture, such as tea, painting, calligraphy, opera and sculpture were hosted on the cruise Majestic Princess.[Photo by Yang Feiyue/China Daily]

The purpose is to enable Western guests to better understand and savor Chinese culture and traditions, according to Li Xinyu, a senior official with the association.

"I like the emphasis on the Chinese culture," Ender says.

"And I enjoyed the whole Silk Road presentation, the dancers, the singers, the orchestra, the lectures. It's been a wonderful thing on the ship".

She and her husband have been to China 16 times, but Ender says the trip helped her get new insights in China's culture and history.

Ender is one of roughly 7,000 tourists from more than 40 countries and regions who were on board and got an immersion in the world of China.

Passengers were mainly from Australia, United Sates, United Kingdom and Europe.

They are mostly ages 40-70 and with higher education, and they chose cruising more as a way of life instead of just traveling.

"It's a safe and comfortable way to travel to multiple countries, without worrying things like transportation, airfare and food," says Theodore Ribbons, an entertainment host on the ship.

The long trip will allow them to interact with each other and make friends, Ribbons adds.

More than 2,900 new guests joined the leg of the journey from Singapore to Shanghai.