SINGAPORE: The first ship belonging to Genting Hong Kong’s new luxury cruise line made a port call in Singapore on Friday (Nov 5) en route to its home port of Nansha in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, where it is due to begin its maiden voyage.
The Genting Dream is an 18-deck, 151,300-tonne luxury liner that can accommodate 3,400 guests, who will be attended by 2,000 crew members.
It has been billed by Genting Hong Kong as the first cruise line from Asia that caters primarily to the luxury market. The cruise and leisure arm of Genting Group also operates Star Cruises.
While Singapore may not be on the itinerary when the Genting Dream sets sail on Nov 13, an outlet of homegrown nightclub brand Zouk will number among the entertainment options on board, along with a theatre show conceived by pop artist Jacky Tsai.
Genting Dream can accommodate 3,400 guests, who will be attended by 2,000 crew members. (Photo: Calvin Hui)
The vessel was handed over from its German shipyard to Dream Cruises on Oct 12 and is on its way to Nansha, where it will be prepared for its maiden service.
SINGAPORE COULD BE FUTURE PORT OF CALL: GENTING HK
In its itinerary between November and Mar 2017, the vessel will depart from Hong Kong or Guangzhou and make stops in Danang and Ha Long Bay in Vietnam.
A second ship under the Dream Cruises Line is expected to be ready in November next year, and Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown said in a media conference that Singapore is under consideration as a port of call in the company’s new itineraries.
Genting Hong Kong’s chairman and CEO Lim Kok Thay added that Singapore will remain a key home port for Genting as the group expands. He also noted that Genting has invested in three shipyards in Germany, including the one that built the Genting Dream.
Trade and Industry Minister S Iswaran, who was the guest-of-honour at the Genting Dream’s launch ceremony in Singapore, said the Asia Pacific represents a key region for the cruise sector, with a growing middle class in the region.
He added that Star Cruises has become synonymous with cruising in Asia, and that Genting is a key partner in the growth and development of Singapore’s cruise industry.
“Singapore is committed to the cruise sector’s growth. The enhanced cruise development fund and the Meetings and Incentives special travel agent reward were rolled out earlier this year. These initiatives support travel agents and event organisers in chartering and attracting cruise incentive groups on sailings out of Singapore,” Mr Iswaran said.
