Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is investing heavily in the Chinese market. Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises will all call on ports in China over the next 12 months, with 7,000 international cruisers expected to visit China in the next six months. But the Norwegian Joy that is purpose built for Asian sailings starting in the summer of 2017 had a set-back this week when a fire temporarily ceased construction.

The building of Norwegian Joy came to a temporary halt on Wednesday when a fire erupted causing smoke to engulf the building at Meyer Werft Shipayard in Papenburg Germany. The fire was quickly extinguished and all workers were evacuated, with no one being hurt and it is anticipated that the fire will not affect the delivery date.The cruise line says the new Breakaway-Plus Class Ship will sail from her Shanghai homeport on 3,4,5 and 6 day cruises in Japan and Korea.Oceania Cruises’ Nautica will be based in Asia for a season starting February 2017, followed by Insignia in March.Regent Seven Seas Cruises will join them in March.