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Carnival orders first "made in China" cruise ships

Carnival has ordered a pair of cruise ships that will be built in China

The world's largest leisure travel company has announced that they have ordered a pair of "made in China" cruise ships in a world first.

It's a landmark deal for the international cruise industry, one that will see the world's first China-built cruise ships set sail as early as 2023.

European shipyards, notably in France and Italy, are the leading manufacturers of cruise ships.

Built to serve Chinese guests, the deal signals the unstoppable momentum of the cruising industry in Asia.

According to the latest stats from the Cruise Lines International Association, between 2012 and 2015, the number of Chinese passengers grew at an annual compounded rate of 66 percent, with growth in 2015 alone pegged at 40 percent over the year before.

To meet this rising demand, the number of ocean cruises and voyages offered in the region also grew with 1,560 sailings scheduled in 2016 -- a 43 percent increase from 2015.

The agreement also gives Carnival the option of ordering four additional China-built cruise ships.

The joint venture is a partnership between China's largest shipbuilder, China State Shipbuilding Corp., and Italy-based Fincantieri.

Under the deal, Carnival Corporation will operate and manage the cruise ships, which will be built to cater to Chinese travelers.

Rivals Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line have also launched cruises designed specifically for Asian cruisers.