Dream Cruises Announces Resumption of Cruises in Hong Kong with Genting Dream Deployed by June
Featuring 2 and 3-Night High Seas “Super Summer Seacations” in Time for the Summer Holidays
The Voice of Chandigarh:
The Voice of Chandigarh| Travel Trade Reporter:
“Like all Hong Kong residents, we have been eagerly looking forward to more vacation alternatives during this period when overseas travel is not permitted. These new “Super Summer Seacations” will provide Hong Kong residents the opportunity to enjoy the pleasures of cruising again and will bring much-needed benefits to the tourism industry,” said Mr. Kent Zhu. “With Hong Kong a historically key home port and with our unique position as a home grown cruise company based in Asia, we will mobilise our resources across the region to bring Genting Dream into Hong Kong by June to begin her quarantine process so that she will be ready for July sailings in time for the summer holidays. As well, the crucial experience gained as the first cruise line to resume in Asia with Explorer Dream and World Dream in Taiwan and Singapore with respectively, provides invaluable first-hand knowledge on how to operate cruises in the safest possible environment and it is our goal to also be the first to resume in Hong Kong.”
Introducing the “Super Summer Seacation”
The flagship of the Dream Cruises fleet, the 3,300 (lower berth) Genting Dream is ranked as one of “The top 10 Large Resort Ships” in the Berlitz Cruise and Cruise Ships Guide 2020. On board, Hong Kong residents will be able to enjoy a brand-new vacation option that will take the regular “stay-cation” concept and transform it into a “Super Summer Seacation” experience to take advantage of the invigorating sea air and sunshine. The “Super Summer Seacations” will combine the multitude of dining, leisure and recreation facilities on board Genting Dream with engaging experiences that will keep guests of all ages entertained throughout their journey.
Awarded as “The Best Cruise Line – Entertainment, Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice Awards 2017”, dreams come to life in the most captivating live production shows that are exclusively created to complement a grand vacation on the high seas. Catch a show in the Zodiac Theatre or a live music performance at one of many venues on the ship.
Inside and out, thrilling adventures will appeal to the young and the young at heart with Glow Bowling and Arcade for indoor action or the Rope Course, Rock Climbing Wall and Waterslide Park for fun in the sun.
During their journey, guests can enjoy a number of localised activities, educational workshops and fun contests to enhance their cruise. “Spot the Ship” allow guests to explore the vibrant shipping industry in the region by searching for as many different types of vessels plying the waters during their journey. The guests who can find the largest number will receive special autographed memorabilia from the Captain of Genting Dream.
As cross-border travel is still currently severely restricted, Dream Cruises is bringing the world on to Genting Dream with a “Japanese Festival” during August and September and a “Nordic Christmas” in November and December. In between, additional events will include Wine & Dine at Sea, Oktoberfest and Night Market and Halloween festivities to liven up voyages and create special memories.
All activities on board will be organized in accordance with permitted group sizes – specific to each activity – in line with prevailing Hong Kong policies.
Inviting accommodations on Genting Dream provide the perfect haven for discerning guests with Balcony Staterooms and, for the ultimate in pampering, The Palace. The Palace is the “all-inclusive, all-suite” luxury concept across the Dream Cruises fleet, featuring the charm of a boutique hotel with the exclusivity of a private clubhouse. Guests can indulge in an unprecedented level of service and comfort, with lavish dining experiences, a rich collection of enrichment activities, and all-inclusive privileges. The Palace elevates the luxury cruising experience into an art form.
The First Choice for Cruise Safety
Genting Cruise Lines is the number one choice for cruise safety and peace of mind with its pioneering efforts in establishing enhanced preventive measures, setting new standards for its ships and for the cruise industry.
The company was the first cruise line to resume service in Asia and Genting Cruise Lines’ track record has been exemplary, having successfully completed nearly eleven months of operations in Taiwan with Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream, and almost seven months in Singapore with World Dream, welcoming nearly 180,000 guests on board so far for COVID-19 incident-free voyages. Also recently announced for July 2021, the newly built Crystal Endeavor will make her debut with Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages and Crystal Serenity will homeport in The Bahamas operating new Bahamas Escapes voyages. In August, Crystal Symphony will sail a series of Luxury Caribbean Escapes round-trip from Antigua and St. Martin.
With the resumption of Genting Dream in Hong Kong, the entire Dream Cruises fleet will have been operational and 69% of Genting Cruise Lines’ capacity of over 15,000 lower berths will be or announced to be in service. This is an achievement that is unmatched by any of its industry peers.
The experience gained through these operations and the close collaboration with local authorities to supplement existing protocols with local guidelines have helped Genting Cruise Lines develop a new norm of safe cruising including passenger testing before boarding and stringent health screening processes and guidelines prior to embarkation and disembarkation; upgraded crew quarantine procedures; thorough sanitization, disinfection and heightened hygiene practices for guest cabins, onboard public areas and recreational activities; and, enhanced food and beverage safety.
The fleet’s ships also boast 100% external fresh air filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as on board public spaces to provide a safer environment than most hotels and office buildings.
Genting Cruise Lines will continue to work with all relevant local authorities in Hong Kong to ensure compliance with all local guidelines to provide the safest environment for everyone upon resumption of cruises.
Additional third party endorsement of the company’s health and hygiene protocols provide further reassurance with both Explorer Dream and World Dream obtaining the newly developed “Certification in Infection Prevention – Maritime (CIP-M)” from DNV, the largest classification society in the world. World Dream was also the first ship to have its CIP-M extended to three years as well as acquiring additional “CruiseSafe Certification” by the Singapore Tourism Board.
A Key Market for Dream Cruises
One of the few cruise lines in the world to resume operations, Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream will become the first ship to re-start sailing in Hong Kong, reviving the travel agent industry and growth in tourism and supporting the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.
“Hong Kong’s swift action in the face of the recent fourth wave of COVID-19 has resulted in the quick reduction of recorded cases and has kept numbers low compared to global figures. As well, the successful roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme to its citizens is truly a milestone in the fight against the pandemic within its borders. In light of the improving situation in the city, we welcome the government’s announcement to allow the resumption of cruise operations in Hong Kong as a positive step towards the recovery of our economy,” added Mr. Zhu.
Importantly, the resumption of cruises will not only revitalize the ailing travel agent sector which has been adversely affected by the pandemic but will also benefit the entire value chain related to goods, services and materials associated with cruise operations. Dream Cruises has been advocating such positive impact as part of its guiding principle in rebuilding the cruise economy for every homeport where cruise operations can resume.
