After graduating from Fudan University’s prestigious MBA programme this year, Dong Wenxin wants to keep in touch with his fellow students. The 30-year-old figured many former students probably felt the same way – eager to reconnect even when scattered across China.
Over the past three years, he has organised weeklong round-trip cruises for groups ranging from four to 30 people, with some journeys reaching as far as Japan. Travellers pay between 3,000 (US$418) and 10,000 yuan each, depending on the ship’s level of luxury.
Dong’s venture is part of a growing trend among younger Chinese travellers – particularly high school and university graduates – who are increasingly embracing ocean cruises as a social way to travel, analysts have found.
Cruise ships provide a unique environment for groups to bond, with recreational activities and shared spaces without the limitations of crowding into a rented apartment.
“It’s not quite a road trip or hiking – [passengers] can’t do that on ships, so those are the limitations,” Dong said. “But they can be in a communal space enjoying lots of activities.”
