As the champagne bottle smashed onto Henna's bow, onlookers cheered and applauded.

The launch ceremony for China's first luxury cruise ship followed the Western tradition of breaking a bottle for good luck and safe travels. Onboard, I found the crew also had an international flavor: Dancers from Cuba, helmsmen from Norway, service staff from Malaysia. Only a few dozen waitresses were from China.

Although owned by a Chinese company, HNA Tourism Cruise and Yacht Management, there was not much that was Chinese about the ship, inside or out.