Starboard partners with Adora Cruises on 600sqm duty-free offer

By Naomi Chadderton |

Image Credit: Starboard
Starboard partners with Adora Cruises on 600sqm duty-free offer

Adora Flora City is the second Chinese-built large cruise ship.

Starboard has partnered with Adora Cruises to develop a new duty-free shopping offer aboard Adora Flora City, the second Chinese-built large cruise ship, ahead of its maiden voyage in November.

Spanning more than 600sqm, the Starboard-curated space will be the largest retail area onboard and will feature almost 100 Chinese and international brands across 12 categories, including fine jewellery, Swiss watches, luxury handbags, fashion jewellery and premium fashion. The brand line-up will include Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Fendi, Vivienne Westwood, Mikimoto, Longines and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Adora Flora City will also become the first Chinese-built large cruise ship to introduce luxury vintage retailer What Goes Around Comes Around. The offer will feature pre-owned luxury pieces, including handbags from Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Starboard, which has 68 years of experience in cruise retail and currently works across almost 90 ships, will oversee areas including assortment curation, sales execution and the development of retail experiences onboard.

“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, said: “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 centre and enjoying a relaxing and rewarding retail experience as part of their voyage.”

Image Credit: Starboard
Starboard partners with Adora Cruises on 600sqm duty-free offer

Lisa Bauer, President and CEO of Starboard.

Adora Flora City is scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage from Guangzhou Nansha on 22 November 2026. The ship will use flowers as a theme across its hull, cabins and public areas, alongside Chinese cultural elements throughout its dining, entertainment and services. Smart and AI technologies will also be incorporated into the passenger experience. Olympic diving champion Guo Jingjing will serve as the ship’s Naming Ambassador and officially name Adora Flora City at its inaugural ceremony.

Adora Cruises currently operates Adora Magic City, the first Chinese-built large cruise ship, and Adora Mediterranea, as well as Piano Land under the Astro Ocean Cruise brand.

READ MORE: ANUA expands Harding+ cruise presence to 27 ships

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