Paving the Way for the Brand’s Global Expansion
New Member of Dream Cruises Announces 2019 Spring-Summer Routes in Northern China and First Autumn-Winter Australia-New Zealand Itinerary
Hong Kong, September 12, 2018 – Genting Cruise Lines is proud to announce that its Dream Cruises fleet will welcome a new member next spring — the 75,338-ton, 1,870-passenger "Exploration Dream." This addition marks the brand’s exploration journey towards global expansion. Formerly known as Star Cruises' "SuperStar Virgo," the "Exploration Dream" will undergo a US$30 million refurbishment starting March 2019 before joining the Dream Cruises fleet. The ship will feature “The Palace,” an exclusive VIP area introduced to Asia by Dream Cruises, offering elegant European-style butler service to guests staying in its 50 “The Palace” suites. Building on the renowned Chinese cuisine of the former "SuperStar Virgo," the "Exploration Dream" will also uphold Dream Cruises’ philosophy of blending Eastern and Western flavors, elevating the dining experience to new heights. Additionally, Dream Cruises’ popular “Crystal Life” East-West spa will make its debut on the "Exploration Dream."
(From left) Ms. Gu Hua, General Manager of Shanghai Port International Cruise Travel Agency Co., Ltd., Mr. Wei Feng from Shanghai Airlines International Travel (Group) Co., Ltd., Mr. Chen Weiliang, Chairman of Shanghai Wulong International Travel Agency Development Co., Ltd., Mr. Liang Moubin, CEO of Dream Cruises, Ms. Xie Yujun, Director of China Travel Services (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Mr. Xue Xusheng, President of China Comfort Travel Group, Mr. Jiang Hao, Deputy General Manager of China International Travel Service (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., jointly light up the Australia-New Zealand route of the "Exploration Dream"!
Dennis Lim, Chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong, said: “Next spring, Dream Cruises will venture into the northern China market, serving 300 million travelers across East and North China and further enhancing the Dream brand's visibility in cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, and Beijing. In the winter of next year, Dream Cruises will take its first step beyond Asia and embark on the journey of building an ‘Asian Global Cruise Fleet’ — launching highly attractive homeport itineraries in Australia and New Zealand, enabling Asian travelers to cruise around the world via ‘Exploration Dream’ on flying holidays.”
After completing refurbishments in March 2019, the "Exploration Dream" will be stationed at its homeports in Shanghai and Tianjin during spring, operating voyages to multiple destinations including Japan, Russia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. These diverse itineraries will further enhance the appeal and competitiveness of Dream Cruises’ offerings.
Mr. Yang Zhenning, Sales Director of Genting Cruise Lines, introduces the "Exploration Dream" Australia-New Zealand routes to guests
In the winter of 2019, the "Exploration Dream" will head to the southern hemisphere, bringing the sun-drenched landscapes of Australia and New Zealand to travelers seeking summer cruises. The long coastlines of Australia and New Zealand are ideal for cruise tourism, and their unique natural scenery and local seafood delicacies have long been popular among Asian travelers. The "Exploration Dream" will offer new weekly homeport itineraries departing from Sydney or Auckland, including 21 seven-night sailings each week:
“Journey Through Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef”Starting October 27, 2019, featuring six seven-night sailings to destinations including:
Moreton / Sunshine Coast: Located in Queensland, Australia, known for its mild climate and beautiful beaches.
Brisbane: The capital of Queensland, located just north of the world-famous Gold Coast.
Newcastle: The gateway to Australia’s wine region — Hunter Valley.
Gladstone: A quaint village perfect for history and culture enthusiasts, where you can also discover a variety of unique local crafts.
“New Zealand North & South Island Journey”Starting December 15, 2019, featuring seven seven-night sailings to destinations including:
Wellington: The capital of New Zealand, filming location for "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies.
Milford Sound / Doubtful Sound: One of New Zealand’s most iconic sights, with spectacular natural landscapes recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Dunedin: Designated a UNESCO City of Literature. New Zealand’s earliest educational hub and home to its largest university.
Napier: In Napier, you can admire well-preserved historic buildings dating back to the 1930s.
Bay of Islands: Comprising 144 small islands. Experience the rich history and culture among New Zealand’s picturesque archipelago, and encounter marine life such as penguins, whales, dolphins, marlin, and gannets.
Akaroa: A French settlement in New Zealand.
Picton: Located in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds, this picturesque town boasts excellent cafés, restaurants, and galleries.
Gisborne: New Zealand’s famous Chardonnay wine region.
“Tasmania & Melbourne Journey”Starting February 9, 2020, featuring eight seven-night sailings to destinations including:
Port Arthur: A UNESCO World Heritage site, where British settlers established their presence in the early colonial days.
Burnie: The gateway to northern Tasmania, known for its lavender fields and wineries.
Melbourne: The capital of Victoria, consistently ranked as one of the world's most livable cities
Phillip Island: The Penguin Parade on Phillip Island is a famous attraction, and the island is also popular among travelers who enjoy surfing and driving.
Eden: Eden’s Sapphire Coast is one of Australia’s best whale-watching spots.
Mr. Yang Zhenning, Sales Director of Genting Cruise Lines, introduces the “Genting Dream” Australia-New Zealand itinerary to guests
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong, added: “The ‘SuperStar Virgo’ was the first cruise ship in the group custom-built for Asian travelers, constructed with top German shipbuilding craftsmanship, and has long been the most popular cruise ship among Asian passengers. This time, the group has invested heavily to renovate and upgrade it into the ‘Genting Dream’. The goal is to combine the best elements of both brands. The ‘Genting Dream’ will set sail alongside the mega-ships ‘World Dream’ and ‘Genting Dream’, striving to become a globally minded cruise fleet originating from Asia.”
Currently, about 13 million travelers visit Australia and New Zealand each year, including 5 million from Asia. Travelers typically stay in Australia and New Zealand for 9 to 14 days, making the itinerary an excellent match for the ‘Genting Dream’s’ 7-night Australia and New Zealand cruises. Travelers can also explore Sydney and Auckland before or after their cruise, adding even more excitement to their Southern Hemisphere journey.
Unlike land travel, a cruise journey connects multiple destinations, allowing travelers to explore with ease, avoiding the hassle of frequent transfers and long journeys. As Asian travelers experience the exotic charm of Australia and New Zealand, Star Cruises’ “Genting Dream” will create a warm, comfortable, and homely atmosphere through service communication languages, Chinese and Western cuisines, and entertainment programs:
Services provided by crew members fluent in English, Chinese, and other Asian languages
Chinese and Western cuisine meticulously prepared by Star Cruises’ award-winning professional culinary team
A rich variety of onboard entertainment programs tailored specifically for Asian travelers
Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Star Cruises, said: “On behalf of Star Cruises, I would like to thank our partners and guests for their strong support over the past two years. In response to the enthusiastic market response, Star Cruises will soon enter the northern China market next year; and our first-ever Australia and New Zealand itineraries have also thrilled our business partners across the Asia-Pacific region. We eagerly look forward to the ‘Genting Dream’ joining Star Cruises, guiding the brand’s global expansion plan and taking Star Cruises a big step closer to becoming an ‘Asian global cruise fleet’.”