China's first domestically built large cruise ship completes hull structure

China's first homegrown cruise ship completed its hull structure in Shanghai on Monday, marking the 135,500-metric-ton Vista-class vessel entry into the second half production phase, experts said.

A ceremony to celebrate the completion of the cruise ship's hull structure was held on Monday morning at Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding, a unit of the world's largest shipbuilder the China State Shipbuilding Corp.

Two years after its steel sheet cutting ceremony, the vessel has finished more than 45 percent of its total construction workload. And it is ready for interior decoration, the completion of mechanical and electrical facilities, as well as system adjustment.

After 731 days of work, the 323.6-meter-long, 37.2-meter-wide cruise ship is taking shape, and it is due for delivery in 2023.