A canteen is among the 18 eateries onboard that provide various food choices.[Photo by Xu Lin/China Daily]

The captain of Ovation of the Seas, Flemming Nielsen, calls his career a dream come true.

Beijinger Cui Qiming says another Royal Caribbean cruise he took in early June to Japan and South Korea catered to all ages.

His 2-year-old daughter enjoyed playing with other kids and the crew.

"I was surprised to see a group of elderly Chinese women square dancing on-deck," the 30-year-old says.

About half of cruise guests are middle aged. And up to 40 percent are families, says Ren Tao, chief operating officer of Caissa Cruises of Caissa Touristic, a Beijing-based travel agency.

International cruise companies must partner with Chinese travel agencies qualified to sell tickets.

Bookings peak in summer.

Families should book early since their rooms often account for 20-30 percent of the total, Ren says.

"Chinese like shopping and such onboard activities as tai chi and pastry-making," he says.