Tianjin Oriental will go from one ships to two in late February with the introduction of the Ideal, which is the former Costa Magica.

The Chinese-owned brand took delivery of the 2,720-guest, 2004-built ship in Greece, having bought it from Seajets, who acquired it from Carnival Corporation during the pandemic.

Seajets had renamed the ship the Vision and had intended to sail cruises under the Neonyx brand, but postponed its start up indefinitely.

A sales price was not disclosed.

The ship arrived at Qingdao Beihai Shipyard in late December and is undergoing a conversion for its new operator ahead of its debut from Tianjin, where it is expected to be based year-round sailing short cruises.

This will shift the company’s other vessel, the 1998-built, 1,950-guest Dream, to other homeports in Northern China, including Dalian and Qingdao. The Dream is the former Sea Princess and also sailed for P&O.

Tianjin Oriental is unique in its model, targeting first-time cruisers and retirees, and keeping ticket prices low. It has also stayed out Shanghai, where most of China’s capacity is concentrated.

Tianjin Oriental is a privately owned Chinese enterprise under the parent company, Tangshan Oriental Shipping, a Northern China-based maritime freight operator with its own fleet specializing in mineral transport.