Tianjin Oriental International Cruise Line is moving closer to launching its next chapter after its newly acquired cruise ship arrived in China earlier this month. The vessel, formerly known as Costa Magica, is now preparing to enter service in the Chinese cruise market.
Built in 2004, the ship was purchased by the Chinese cruise operator in November and is set to undergo a refit before welcoming guests. The work will adapt the vessel to its new brand and prepare it for operations in the Far East.
According to industry sources in Asia, the ship is expected to begin service for Tianjin Oriental International in mid-February. This timeline follows several weeks of shipyard work and final preparations.
Similar details about Costa Diadema’s South American deployment, including its seven-night sailings across Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, have also been highlighted by Cruise Adviser.
Arrival and Refit Plans
Sailing under the temporary name Ideal, the ship departed the Greek port of Astakos on November 19, 2025.
Its long repositioning voyage took it through the Suez Canal and across Southeast Asia.
The 103,000-ton vessel arrived at the Qingdao Beihai Heavy Industry Shipyard on December 24, 2025.
The shipyard visit marks the start of a five- to six-week refit period.
During this time, the vessel will undergo technical maintenance as well as cosmetic changes to reflect its new ownership. Interior updates and branding adjustments are expected as part of the conversion process.
Once the refit is complete, the ship will be officially renamed Vision. Tianjin Oriental International has not yet revealed detailed deployment plans or itineraries for the vessel.
A Long Road Back to Service
The ship has been out of service since early 2020, when global cruise operations were halted by the pandemic. Like many vessels, it remained laid up in Europe for several years.
Carnival Corporation sold the ship in early 2023 as part of its fleet optimisation strategy. It was later acquired by Greek operator Seajets and renamed Mykonos Magic.
Seajets had planned to launch the vessel under the Neonyx Cruises brand, focusing on short cruises in Greece and Turkey. Those plans were delayed multiple times before ultimately being abandoned.
Now, with its arrival in China, the ship appears set for a fresh start. For Tianjin Oriental International, Vision represents a significant step in expanding cruise offerings in the Chinese market.
