Nation begins assembling first large cruise ship

The contractual price of each ship is $770 million. The first of the ships is scheduled to be delivered to the joint venture in 2023 and the second in 2024. The three parties also agreed to an option for another four vessels of the same type, CSSC said.

The project marks the first time China will build a large, advanced cruise ship on its own. It is a new milestone for the country's shipbuilding industry because it marks an end to China's inability to design and construct large cruise ships, shipbuilding industry sources said.

Each of the colossal cruise liners will be about 324 meters long, 37 meters wide and 72 meters tall. Each ship will be powered by five diesel generators and driven by two electric thrusters.

They will have a cruising speed of 33 kilometers per hour and a maximum speed of about 42 km/h, designers said.

There will be 16 stories of living, shopping and entertainment quarters that will offer musical performances, art shows and a wide variety of foods.

The vessel will have 2,125 passenger rooms capable of accommodating 5,246 tourists. There will also be nearly 700 rooms for crew.