Royal Caribbean has announced it will send its most innovative ship, Quantum of the Seas closer to Australia, when it is home ported in China next year.

The ship, which is scheduled to launch in November this year, will sail from the US to arrive in Shanghai in May 2015 where she will join Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas.

She will sail three- to- eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.

Royal Caribbean president Adam Goldstein said the ship meets China’s high standard of cruising and expects the ship to accelerate growth in this market.

“Every trend we are seeing in China tells us we can achieve a real long-term competitive advantage and appealing returns on our investments in this fast-growing market by accelerating our presence there,” he said.

“We will have to be nimble, but the ability to move fast is one of our strengths.”

The 4,180-passenger vessel will feature a range of at-sea firsts, including the Ripcord by iFLY – a zip line; the North Star, which will take guests 300 feet in the air; a skydiving experience; and the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea.