Websites of Chinese travel companies retail cruises at a substantial premium over the websites of the lines themselves, said Robin Farley, cruise industry analyst at UBS in New York, adding that a wider distribution network could bring down the prices in the future.

“Looking at average price/day for sailings departing in 10 days or less on Quantum of the Seas, for example, Ctrip is garnering 60% plus premiums vs. RoyalCaribbean.com (sold directly by RCL),” she said in a research note.

“For another ship, e.g. Voyager of the Seas, Ctrip is garnering close to 22% premium vs. what RoyalCaribbean.com asks for the same sailing in terms of average cruise price/day,” Farley said.  

“So the margin made by some travel sellers in China seems quite outsized. And it is not direct sales from RCL (Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd) that will bring those margins down, as we don't expect China to have much direct business, but rather it may be likely to come from other Chinese OTAs selling cruises as well - in other words, a wider distribution network for the cruise lines.