Kaohsiung, 1 July 2019 – Genting Cruise Lines continued its 25th Anniversary celebrations with the inaugural sailing of World Dream, Dream Cruises’ 150,000-ton megaship, from Kaohsiung, and the largest cruise ship to homeport in Taiwan. The event recognised the partnerships and support of the various organisations and business partners that have played an important role in the development and growth of Genting Cruise Lines in Taiwan. The occasion also provided guests the chance to experience an exclusive sneak peek of Dream Cruises’ new Global Class ship through a specially constructed preview cabin that was showcased on World Dream.
A crucial part of the event, Genting Cruise Lines co-hosted a second Cruise Forum with Taiwan International Ports Corporation and International Cruise Council Taiwan on board World Dream to further the discussion with stakeholders on the development of the cruise industry in Taiwan.
Among the over 400 guests representing government, travel agents and business partners, notable attendees at the event included Guests of Honour, Mr. Chia-Lung Lin, Minister of Transportation and Communications, Mr. Yu-Lin Huang, Political Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications and Mr. Kuo-Yu Han, Mayor of Kaohsiung City, who congratulated Genting Cruise Lines on its silver anniversary and long-standing relationship with Taiwan.
During the event, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications presented Genting Cruise Lines with the “Innovative Contribution Award”, in recognition of the company’s contributions to the cruise industry in Taiwan over the past 25 years.
“Kaohsiung has always held a special place in the heart of Genting Cruise Lines.” said Mr. Hui Lim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Genting Hong Kong. “Since its first voyage to Kaohsiung with the deployment of Star Cruises’ Star Pisces in 1994, Genting Cruise Lines has accounted for more than 5 million passenger throughput from its fleet in Taiwan serving both the domestic market and bringing in tourists to visit from all across the region and around the world.”
Originally founded a quarter of a century ago as Star Cruises, Genting Cruise Lines has been committed in developing Taiwan as an important cruise destination. The company was also instrumental in introducing innovative ships designed specifically for the more relaxed Asian cruise market on which 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 been the leader in supporting the development of various ports and cities throughout Taiwan over the years, including Keelung, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Tainan, Hualien, Penghu, Jinmen and Matsu. During her ongoing homeport deployment in Keelung, SuperStar Aquarius contributed to the growth of Taiwan to become the second largest source market in Asia and accounted for NTD$180 million in contribution to the economy of Taiwan, as well as 180 million Taiwan Dollars a year for passenger and berthing fees through its yearly provisioning.
This year, Genting Cruise Lines expands its presence in Taiwan with the inaugural deployments of two cruise ships in the Dream Cruises fleet – Explorer Dream and World Dream. The 150,695-ton World Dream also marked a new milestone as the largest cruise ship to homeport in Taiwan. On July 1, July 8 and August 26, World Dream will have homeport sailings from Kaohsiung and Keelung respectively, which will draw over 10,000 cruising guests from Hong Kong and International regions, contributing NTD$160 million in tourism benefits, while offering guests cruise itineraries to scenic destinations in Naha and Ishigaki, Japan.
“Genting Cruise Lines is proud to have played a prominent role in the transformation of Taiwan into the second largest source market in the Asian cruise industry. 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,” said Mr. Hui Lim. “In demonstration of our commitment in the development of the cruise market in Taiwan, next year we will expand the deployment of Dream Cruises to 10 sailings in March to October, which will bring over 40,000 in-bound tourists to Taiwan, while provinding inspirational journeys to cruise enthusiasts from Taiwan at the convenience of their doorsteps.”
Since its launch, 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 preview of the new Global Class ship with a tour of a specially constructed balcony show cabin that was built in Germany and shipped over for its Asian showcase.
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.
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