GEORGE TOWN – A new cruise liner brand has emerged to fill the gap left behind by the defunct Star Cruises – whose owner Genting Hong Kong filed for bankruptcy – in the Southeast Asia region.
Touted as the most spacious ship in Asia, the Genting Dream cruise liner under Resorts World Cruises is expected to redeem the image of its predecessor and reflate the industry, especially with services between Penang and Singapore.
Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) chief operating officer Datuk Sasedharan Vasudevan said PPSB would also soon share its views on the revival of the cruise liner business here and how it can positively impact the retail and tourism scene here.
In a statement, Resorts World Cruises, a new Asian luxury and lifestyle cruise brand, said it will make its debut in Singapore in June with its Genting Dream flagship.
With its inception, Resorts World Cruises aims to position itself as the leading and best cruise line company in the region for Asian and internationally sourced passengers.
The 18-deck Genting Dream weighs 150,695 gross tonnes and can accommodate 3,352 passengers, with a generous space ratio of 45 gross tonnes per passenger.
And with 1,600 crew, she is billed as promising the best service with the most crew per passenger compared to any other ship in the region, Resorts World said.
It has 142 suites, including its own exclusive restaurant, bar, sundeck, spa, gym, and other facilities with butler service.
Genting Dream will cater to a wide Asian demographic that will provide an international cruise experience exceeding its peers.
Resorts World Cruises is supported by a management with over five decades of international hospitality experience and close to three decades of global cruise experience.
It also offers authentic vegetarian cuisine, including Jain vegetarian food, in addition to being halal-certifiied and having Western, Japanese, Chinese and other dining venues.
Tan Sri K.T. Lim, who is now the executive chairman of Resorts World Cruises, said: “We started our cruise operations 30 years ago in Singapore and we are excited to again launch the first Resorts World Cruises in Singapore, the first country to reopen cruising in the region.
“Resorts World Cruises will have its headquarters in Singapore and is committed to making Singapore the leading cruise hub in Asia,” he said.
“We also appreciate the support and trust of the Chinese leasing banks in allowing Resorts World Cruises to charter the Genting Dream,” Lim continued.
The company’s president and international sales head Michael Goh said that in response to the evolving market demands and emerging needs for a personalised travel experience, vacationers can now have the ultimate indulgence to enjoy a kaleidoscope of lifestyle experiences on board Genting Dream.
Genting Dream will launch its cruises starting June 15 amid the Singapore school holidays, with a combination of round-trip cruises.
It plans to expand its itineraries to other popular neighbouring destinations in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
In conjunction with the launch and as a gesture of goodwill to thank vacationers for their continuous support, Resorts World Cruises will offer complimentary cruise credits of equivalent value for all paid affected passengers impacted by World Dream’s cruise cancellations in Singapore between March 2 and August 31, 2022.
This is applicable to affected World Dream passengers who have yet to receive any refund from their original booking source – The Vibes, May 18, 2022
