Genting Cruise Lines Celebrates a Greater Bay in Hong Kong

Commemorating 25 years of supporting the Greater Bay Area and Greater China ports development; Exclusive preview of new Global Class ship for Dream Cruises

Genting Cruise Lines held a special event to the celebrate the “Greater Bay, Greater China, Greater Opportunities” in Hong Kong on 24 May on board World Dream at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The event was a continuation of Genting Cruise Lines’ 25^th Anniversary activities and recognized the partnerships and support of the various ports and cities in the Greater Bay Area and in Greater China in developing this region as a major world-wide cruise destination. The occasion was also an opportunity for guests to experience an exclusive preview of Dream Cruises’ new Global Class ship with the unveiling of a specially constructed show cabin during the event.

Among the over 500 guests representing government, travel agents and business partners, notable attendees at the event included Guest of Honour, The Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, who congratulated Genting Cruise Lines on its silver anniversary and long-standing relationship with Hong Kong.

Delegates from across Greater China and the Greater Bay Area were also in attendance at the event and took the opportunity to discuss future partnerships and policy collaborations with Genting Cruise Lines’ executives.

Dr Bernard Chan, Under Secretary, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Y.K. Pang, Chairman, Hong Kong Tourism Board; Ms Liu Yu Mei, Director General, Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau; Mr. Chen Hong Xian, Director General, Guangzhou Port Authority among others were joined by Genting Cruise Lines representatives including Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Genting Hong Kong, Mr. Hui Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Genting Hong Kong, Mr. Colin Au, Group President of Genting Hong Kong and other senior executives and staff members from the company.

Originally founded a quarter of a century ago as Star Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines has been an integral force in establishing the Greater Bay Area and Greater China as an important cruise region. The company was also instrumental in introducing innovative ships designed specifically for the more relaxed Asian cruise market where guests can enjoy a variety of leisure activities and dining options unrestricted by the rigid schedules commonly found on other cruise ships.

Over the past 25 years, Genting Cruise Lines has accounted for more than 25 million passenger throughput from its fleet just in the Greater Bay Area alone – in Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Throughout 2018, Genting Cruise Lines’ year-round deployment in the region was responsible for over 1.4 million passenger throughput, of which approximately 30% were from outside the Greater Bay Area, helping the Pearl River Delta become a powerhouse for attracting international cruise passengers in Asia.

Beyond the Greater Bay Area, Genting Cruise Lines has been the leader in supporting the development of various ports and cities throughout Greater China.

From as early as 1994, Genting Cruise Lines’ ships have been visiting Chinese ports well before the current industry boom – with first ports of call in Haikou in 1994, Sanya in 1995, Xiamen in 1996, Zhanjiang in 1997 and Shantou and Behai in 1998.

In 2002, Star Cruises opened up the Eastern China market with SuperStar Leo’s historic inaugural call to Shanghai and, later in the year, SuperStar Gemini became first cruise ship to homeport in China with deployments in Qingdao, Dalian and Shenzhen (Shekou).

“Genting Cruise Lines is honoured to have played a pivotal role in the transformation of the Greater Bay Area and Greater China into a leading destination in the world-wide cruise industry. We remain committed to the evolution of this region as it continues to grow in importance and stature in the global cruise market,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay. “To accommodate the future of cruising, we are in the process of building the cruise ships of tomorrow at our own shipyards in Germany and we are excited for the upcoming launch of our new, technologically advanced Global Class ships in early 2021.”

The Honorable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said, “These are heady times for Hong Kong’s cruise business, and Genting’s remarkable progress has been a central reason behind our cruise tourism development. Last month, Genting launched a new “One Day Greater Bay Cruise”, taking passengers between Hong Kong and Nansha aboard World Dream. Genting, of course, has long championed cruise destinations throughout the Greater Bay Area and surrounding region. And I’m confident the new venture will help boost regional cruise culture, while buoying cruise co-operation throughout the Greater Bay Area.”

“To seize these opportunities ahead, Genting Hong Kong has visionary plans, and we’re here to unveil one of them. In 2021, Genting Hong Kong will debut its first Global Class ship. At more than 200,000 tonnes and over 340 metres long, this luxury liner is expected to accommodate some 5,000 passengers in 2,500 cabins. This evening, we get to launch one of them – a show cabin designed to give us a taste of tomorrow’s Genting luxury. I look forward to seeing the cabin, but I am looking even more forward to welcoming this liner to Hong Kong in the future.”

Over the past quarter century, the company has cemented its reputation in the cruise industry for its commitment to providing the best cruise products available in the region.

Genting Cruise Lines is built upon three pillars of excellence – a “Made in Germany” cruise fleet synonymous with the highest in quality, safety, comfort and reliability, legendary Asian service and hospitality and uncompromising North European safety standards.

Looking ahead to the next 25 years, Genting Cruise Lines has acquired its own shipyards in Germany, called “MV Werften”, and will be building a fleet of technologically advanced cruise ships for its three brands. The first of a fleet of luxurious 20,000 gross ton “Endeavor Class” expedition vessels will be delivered to Crystal Cruises in 2020, followed in succession by the first of a fleet of 200,000 gross ton “Global Class” ships for Dream Cruises in 2021, 67,000 gross ton “Diamond Class” ships for Crystal Cruises in 2022 and innovative “Contemporary Class” ships for Star Cruises in 2023.

Accommodating up to 9,000 passengers, Dream Cruises’ “Global Class” will be the largest cruise ships in the world by passenger capacity and brings affordable, high-end cruising to a wide range of passengers with 2,500 cabins consisting of a variety of categories including villas, penthouses, suites, themed suites, balcony cabins and inside cabins. The Global Class will also feature Dream Cruises’ signature 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship’ concept, “The Palace”.

During the event, guests were treated to an exclusive sneak preview of the new Global Class ship with the unveiling of a specially constructed balcony show cabin, built in Germany and shipped over for the occasion.

Featuring 20 square metres of space, the luxurious Global Class cabins will be the industry’s most spacious staterooms, larger than any other cruise line, and are designed for two but can also accommodate up to four guests, suitable for families and group travellers. A unique two bathroom design will allow for several people to get ready at once and the cabin’s sofa bed also easily unfolds to sleep an additional two guests comfortably. A thoughtful touch is a privacy curtain that can be closed to divide the room into separate seating and sleeping areas.

State-of-the-art technology will include Bluetooth locks and a new smart system allowing passengers to control different functions such as the LED mood lighting and climate control with a smartphone app, voice recognition or through a touch-screen control panel. Smart sensors will also be able to detect occupants in the cabin to automatically adjust the lights and temperature for better energy efficiency and triple vent air-conditioning outlets ensure even air distribution for maximum comfort.

“Genting Cruise Lines is excited about the future of the cruise industry in China and especially in the Greater Bay Area. Our investment in new ship construction will ensure that we will have the most modern fleet in the world for our three cruise brands, offering the most variety of itineraries and destinations, providing best-in-class service and, most important of all, maintaining our commitment to growing the cruise market in this region,” added Tan Sri Lim.

Source: Genting Cruise Line