{{short description|Finnish ship}} {{For|the electric multiple unit with same name|China Star}} {{Expand Chinese|topic=transp|date=March 2022}} {{Update|article|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = San Juan. Radisson Diamond cruise ship. Puerto Rico (2749200365).jpg | image_caption = ''Radisson Diamond'' in 2004 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | flag = | name = *''Radisson Diamond'' (1992–2005) *''Omar Star'' (2005-2012) *''China Star'' (2012–2017) *''Saipan Star'' (2017) | owner = *China Cruises *Conning Shipping (manager)<ref name="equasis" /> | registry = *1992-1997: Helsinki, {{flag|Finland|civil}} *1997-2012: Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}<ref>[http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=351141 Radisson Diamond]</ref> | route = | ordered = | builder = Finnyards (Rauma, Finland) | original_cost = | yard_number = | way_number = | laid_down = | launched = 20 June 1991<ref name="fakta">{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/radisson_diamond_1992.htm|title=M / S RADISSON DIAMOND|last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> | christened = | completed = | acquired = | maiden_voyage = 5 July 1992<ref name="fakta" /> | in_service = | out_of_service = | identification = *Call sign: C6OP6 *{{IMO number|9008407}} *{{MMSI|309788000}} | fate = | status = In service<ref name="equasis">{{csr|register=E|id=9008407|shipname=China Star|accessdate= 6 August 2012}}</ref> }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | type = SWATH cruise ship | tonnage = {{GT|20,295}}<ref name="equasis" /> | length = {{convert|131.2|m}} | beam = {{convert|31.96|m}} | height = | draught = {{convert|7.6|m}} | draft = | depth = | decks = 12<ref name="wantchinatimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120309000102&cid=1102|title=Wenzhou investors launch China Star cruise ship in Hong Kong|date=2012-03-09|accessdate=2012-08-06|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130205211051/http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20120309000102&cid=1102|archivedate=2013-02-05}}</ref> | deck_clearance = | ramps = | ice_class = | power = Wärtsilä engines | propulsion = | sail_plan = | speed = {{convert|14.15|kn}}<ref name="fakta" /> or {{convert|12.5|kn}}<ref name="shipparade">{{cite web|url=http://www.shipparade.com/az/China_Star/China_Star.htm|title=China Star|date=2012-02-04|accessdate=2012-08-06|publisher=shipparade.com}}</ref> | capacity = 354 passengers in 177 cabins<ref name="MM">{{cite web|url=http://maritimematters.com/2012/03/china-star-joins-growing-chinese-cruise-market|title=CHINA STAR Joins Growing Chinese Cruise Market|date=March 5, 2012|accessdate=2012-08-06|publisher=Maritime Matters|archive-date=2018-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508121736/http://maritimematters.com/2012/03/china-star-joins-growing-chinese-cruise-market/|url-status=dead}}</ref> or 172 cabins<ref name="cruiseindustrynews" /> | crew = 150<ref name="shipparade" /> / 200<ref name="cruisereviews"/> | notes = }} }}
'''MV ''China Star''''' (''中华之星'') is the world's largest ship with a SWATH design,<ref name="cruisereviews">{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisereviews.com/RadissonSevenSeasCruises/RadissonDiamond.htm|title=Radisson Diamond (sold)|publisher=cruisereviews.com|access-date=2012-08-06|archive-date=2015-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230183820/http://www.cruisereviews.com/RadissonSevenSeasCruises/RadissonDiamond.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and the only twin-hull cruise ship ever built.<ref name="cruiseindustrynews">{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/6892-new-chinese-cruise-line-to-start-up-with-ex-radisson-diamond.html |title=New Chinese Cruise Line to Start-Up with ex-Radisson Diamond - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News |publisher=Cruise Industry News |date=2012-03-02 |accessdate=2012-03-08}}</ref>
== History == Built as the ''Radisson Diamond'', the ship was built for Diamond Cruise, a conglomerate of several Finnish banks and the UKL-based Carlson Companies (the parent company of Radisson Cruises and Hotels). The ship was built by Finnyards in Rauma, Finland.<ref name="Radisson Diamond">{{cite web |title=Radisson Diamond |url=http://castlesoftheseas.nl/radisson-diamond.html |accessdate=3 December 2018 |website=Castles of the Seas}}</ref> This 350-passenger all balcony luxury cruise ship was the largest SWATH ship in the world when it was built, measuring more than 20,000 gross tons.<ref name="Radisson Diamond LA Times">{{cite web |last1=Slater and Basch |title=New Ship Emulates a Luxury Hotel : The extra-wide Radisson Diamond is spacious enough for a conference center. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-21-tr-1299-story.html |website=Los Angeles Times |date=21 June 1992 |access-date=3 December 2018}}</ref>
The ship sailed for Radisson Seven Seas Cruises from 1992 to 2005, before being sold to become a gambling ship in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radisson Diamond {{!}} Built by MEYER TURKU |url=https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/ships/radisson_diamond.jsp |access-date= |website=MEYER WERFT |language=en}}</ref>
It was sold and has operated in Hong Kong as the gambling ship ''Asia Star'' for Asia Cruises beginning in 2005, and the ship was later renamed China Star and was operated by several operators. The ship was laid up in Shenzhen, China on March 5th, 2012<ref name="MM" />
In June 2011,<ref name="MM" /> the ship was purchased for $45M by China Cruises Company Limited, the deal being led by Chinese millionaire entrepreneur Huang Weijian,<ref name="cruiseindustrynews" /> CEO of CCCL.<ref name="cnngo" /> Another $20M was spent refurbishing her.<ref name="cnngo">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/visit/first-china-owned-luxury-cruise-ship-set-sail-651654|title=First China-owned luxury cruise ship sets sail|date=7 March 2012|author=Raemin Zhang|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063142/http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/visit/first-china-owned-luxury-cruise-ship-set-sail-651654|archive-date=20 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Operation started on March 9, 2012, as the first ship of the new CCCL luxury cruise line.<ref name="wantchinatimes" />
On September 21, 2022, the ''Saipan Star'' was blown aground by severe winds near Shandong. The ship remains abandoned and wrecked on sandbar as of last reported in 2023.<gallery> File:Kreuzfahrtschiff RADISSON DIAMOND (Kiel 39.846).jpg|''Radisson Diamond'' in May 1992 File:MS Radisson Diamond (4197445779).jpg|''Radisson Diamond'' in Philipsburg St.Maarten File:MS Radisson Diamond - 4197447425.jpg|Exterior view of the three deck glass windowed forward observation lounge File:China Star. HK (50991221632).jpg|''Radisson Diamond'' renamed as the ''China Star'' in Hong Kong </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|IMO 9008407}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120716010622/http://www.cruises-china.com/ China Cruises Company Limited] * [http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/search.php?search_imo=9008407&page_limit=300 Independent professional photographs] from shipspotting.com
{{Regent Seven Seas Cruises ships |state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:China Star}} Category:Cruise ships Category:1991 ships Category:Ships built in Rauma, Finland