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Genting Hong Kong, a leading corporation principally engaged in the business of cruise and cruise related operations, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Baoshan District Government to further extend its cooperation in developing the cruise industry in China and in Shanghai.
Genting Cruise Lines will deploy its new Global Class ship from the Dream Cruises fleet to Shanghai as her first homeport. The largest cruise ship to homeport in the Asia Pacific, the Global Class vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the beginning of 2021.
“Genting Cruise Lines through its roster of brands, Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal, has led the development of the cruise industry in the Asia Pacific and China for the past 25 years. As the most popular cruise port in China and the fourth largest in the world, we value Shanghai as one of our strategic homeports and remain confident of the cruise market in the city,” said Mr. Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines. “To further support the cruise development in Shanghai, we are excited to deploy our upcoming Global Class ship to Shanghai in early 2021. Designed for the Asian market, the new ship will feature advanced technology, innovative itineraries and provide products to meet the needs of our Chinese guests – helping the Shanghai cruise industry reach new heights.”
Meticulously designed over three years and currently being constructed at MV Werften, Genting Hong Kong’s own shipyard in Germany, Dream Cruises’ Global Class ship combines the best of German engineering with cutting edge Chinese intelligent technology.
The largest cruise ship built in Germany and the most advanced technologically, the Global Class will measure 342 meters long and 46.40 meters wide. With a capacity of 204,000 gross tons, the ship will be able to accommodate 5,000 passengers in 2,500 cabins based on a twin share basis – to meet peak season capacity needs in Asia – and feature a total life-saving capacity of up to 9,500 passengers.
The Global Class ships will also mirror the widespread use of technology and artificial intelligence by Asians guests in their daily lives, with facial and voice recognition for many services onboard to eliminate most queues; contextual marketing to even out demand on ship facilities; automated robots to perform everyday tasks – allowing the staff to focus on service delivery – along with other artificial intelligent and digital systems.
Designed specifically for the rapidly growing Chinese and Asian cruise market, popular features on board the ship include a Cineplex, theme park, Asian spa, multiple authentic Asian dining experiences including fast-casual food outlets, and affordable shopping facilities in addition to luxury retail boutiques.
Paving the way for the Global Class, Dream Cruises will deploy its newest ship in Shanghai beginning from April 2019 with the 75,338-gross ton, 1,870-passenger Explorer Dream, bringing more innovative itineraries for East China market.
Explorer Dream will provide even more cruise options for guests by opening up routes to include Russian ports of call in addition to popular destinations in Japan. Genting Cruise Lines launched its ground-breaking 8D/7N Golden Sea Route itinerary last summer from Shanghai visiting the most sought-after Japanese destinations. Well-received by travel partners and guests, the Golden Sea Route itinerary also garnered the “Best Itinerary” award from the Shanghai Cruise Tourism Festival in 2017.
To reaffirm its commitment to the Shanghai cruise market, Genting Cruise Lines will also plan to establish a cruise related company in the Baoshan district as part of the MoU.
Since the launch of its first ship in 2016, Dream Cruises has already welcomed its 1-millionth passenger and received multiple awards including “Most Popular Cruise Brand among Chinese Families” from Global Times, ‘Best Cruise Operator’ at this year’s Travel Trade Gazette’s Travel Awards, and ‘Best Premium Experience Cruise Line’ at the China Travel & Meetings Industry Awards 2018 organized by Travel Weekly China. At the Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards, Dream Cruises also garnered “Best Cruise Line – Cuisine” and the “Best Cruise Line – Entertainment” awards while World Dream was named “Best New Ship”.
Genting Dream received a Star Performer Top Ten rating in the highly-revered Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide 2018 while Genting Dream and World Dream were jointly ranked 7th among the Top 10 Large Resort Ships in the 2019 edition of the Guide.
