Starboard has announced a partnership with Adora Cruises to develop a duty free shopping experience aboard Adora Flora City, the second Chinese-built large cruise ship, ahead of its maiden voyage this November.
Spanning more than 600 square meters, the Starboard-curated retail space will bring together nearly 100 Chinese and international brands across 12 categories, including Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Fendi, Mikimoto, Longines and Polo Ralph Lauren
In a first for a Chinese-built large cruise ship, Adora Flora City will also introduce What Goes Around Comes Around, marking the first luxury vintage retail offering aboard a Chinese-built large cruise ship.
Starboard brings 68 years of industry experience working with world-class cruise lines across nearly 90 ships. It offers end-to-end expertise, from assortment curation to sales execution to the creation of memorable immersive retail experiences, which “has made it the standard-bearer in the sector” according to the company.
“We’re extremely proud to partner with Adora Cruises to debut a retail experience aboard Adora Flora City that is as stunning and memorable as the ship itself,” said Lisa Bauer, President and CEO of Starboard. “We’ve curated exceptional Chinese and global luxury brands, rare vintage offerings, unforgettable immersive experiences, and exclusive collections for the ship’s inaugural season to create an onboard shopping destination where every guest can find something personal, unexpected and uniquely connected to their vacation at sea.”
Roger Chen, CEO of Adora Cruises stated, “We are delighted to join forces with Starboard to bring a world-class, yet distinctly Chinese, shopping experience to our guests aboard Adora Flora City. We look forward to every guest discovering something they truly love at the Adora duty free shopping center and enjoying a relaxing and rewarding retail experience as part of their voyage.”
Adora Flora City is scheduled to set sail on her maiden voyage from Guangzhou Nansha on November 22, 2026. As the name suggests, Adora Flora City will use “flowers” as the theme and motif in the artistic designs of the hull, cabin, and public areas. The ship will be outfitted with advanced smart and AI technologies to enhance guests’ experiences and convenience. In addition, richer Chinese cultural elements will be incorporated into its dining, entertainment, and services, delivering a more distinctly Chinese onboard experience.
Guo Jingjing, the Olympic diving champion, has been invited to serve as the ship’s Naming Ambassador, and will officially name Adora Flora City at the inaugural ceremony.
Currently, Adora Cruises operates three large cruise ships, Adora Magic City, the first Chinese-built large cruise ship, Adora Mediterranea, known as the “Ship of Art,” and Piano Land under the Astro Ocean Cruise brand.
