Luxury shopping, gourmet dining and karaoke aboard newest cruise ship for China

Princess Cruises has revealed new details on its Majestic Princess, the company's first ship built specifically for Chinese guests who are poised to become the largest cruise market in the world.

After a short European tour, Majestic Princess will drop anchor in its home port of Shanghai beginning next summer, sailing to destinations in Japan and Korea.

It's parent company Carnival Corporation's latest foray into the Chinese cruise market, which has experienced skyrocketing growth over the last few years.

A recent report from the Cruise Lines International Association showed that between 2012 and 2015, passenger volume in Asia grew from 775,000 to nearly 2.1 million passengers.

This year has seen more than 1,560 ships and voyages scheduled, up from 1,095 in 2015.

With a guest capacity of 3,560, the Majestic Princess is hoping to steer Chinese holidaymakers away from the competition by capitalizing on its gastronomic reputation: Food and Wine magazine named the brand the best cruise line for food lovers.

The Majestic Princess is designed with the affluent Chinese cruiser in mind, with an expanded shopping and retail space anchored by luxury brands like Cartier, Bvlgari, Chopard, Burberry and Gucci, and a private karaoke space.

Princess sister brand Costa Cruises also expanded its presence in China this year, giving Carnival Corporation a leading edge over its competition with six ships based in the country as of this year.

Meanwhile, when the Majestic Princess, which also goes by her Chinese name "Grand World" or "Grand Spirit," sails into Shanghai next summer, it will face off with Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line's first cruise ship which is also tailor-made for Chinese customers and set to debut in July 2017.