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Hong Kong, 29 June 2020 – Genting Cruise Lines announced the restart of cruise operations for Dream Cruises with Explorer Dream operating two and three-night “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries beginning from 26 July 2020, departing from Keelung and calling at Penghu, Matzu and Kinmen islands.
“After months of detailed planning with the authorities to ensure the safety and health of guests and crew, we appreciate the approval of Explorer Dream resuming cruise operations in Taiwan. Dream Cruises will be the first cruise line in the world to begin sailing after the global cruise industry was shut down due to the pandemic,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, Chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong.
“Our new standard operating procedures to ensure passenger safety draws on our first-hand experience from the charter of two of our ships in Singapore to house foreign workers and cooperating with DNV GL, the world’s largest classification society, for Explorer Dream to receive the world’s first “Certification in Infection Prevention for the Marine industry (CIP-M),” he continued.
Taiwan is the ideal destination for Genting Cruise Lines to resume Dream Cruises’ operations with the company’s 25 years of history with the island as both a destination and as a homeport and because of Taiwan’s popularity among travellers due to its scenic splendours and friendly citizens. Taiwan’s low numbers of COVID-19 cases compared to global figures has also been lauded by experts as one of the most effective response scenarios in the world.
Due to the success Taiwan has experienced in controlling the pandemic within its borders, the local authorities have taken the proactive step to reinvigorate their economy and open up tourism. To support this endeavour, Dream Cruise will offer special island-hopping cruises calling into the popular ports and islands of Peng Hu, Matsu Island and Kinmen where Taiwanese guests will again be able to enjoy refreshing short getaways on carefree ocean voyages.
“We thank Taiwan for their initiatives to re-start their economy and the tourism industry and the trust they have placed in Dream Cruises. As well, we appreciate the support of the travel industry in the restart of our cruise operations. This is truly a remarkable achievement which was made possible by the Taiwan authorities’ swift and effective handling of the COVID-19 crisis and their foresight in resuming the tourism industry to benefit all the ports, the economy and the lifestyle of the people of Taiwan,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines.
During the past few months, Genting Cruise Lines has completely re-examined and enhanced all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols to ensure the safest environment for everyone on board including social distancing in dining, entertainment and public areas, 100% fresh air ventilation in staterooms and operations throughout the ship.
Genting Cruise Lines has also worked with DNV GL, the largest classification society in the world, to adapt their hospital “Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP) for the Marine industry (CIP-M). Explorer Dream will be the first cruise ship in the world to receive the CIP-M certification, which will further verify the procedures and systems in place for the proper prevention, control, and mitigation of infection, to protect her passengers and crew.
In accordance with Taiwan’s regulations prior to resuming sailing, Explorer Dream has undergone a thorough deep cleaning and observation of strict quarantine procedures for her crew. The majority of crew will be from other Genting Cruise Lines ships who have been quarantined for the last 3 months and all will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on land after the ship arrives in Keelung on 30 June. Upon negative nucleic acid test results, an additional 7-day isolation period on board Explorer Dream will provide a total of 21 days of exhaustive preventive procedures before operations begin on 26 July.
To safeguard the well-being of guests, stringent health screening processes and guidelines prior to embarkation, disembarkation and social distancing measures on board, as well as thorough sanitization and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, along with safe food and beverage handling procedures will be in place.
For example, all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as on board public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessels. Isolation wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.
As a further testament to the efficacy of the company’s enhanced preventive measures, two of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships, SuperStar Aquarius and SuperStar Gemini, are currently in Singapore as temporary accommodations for foreign workers after successfully completing careful assessment checks covering various aspects including safe distancing practices, the ships’ ventilation systems, and preventive and infection control measures. Throughout this successful initiative in collaboration with the authorities, the company has been able to further refine its standard operating procedures within a real-world context to ensure that all its Genting Cruise Lines’ ships, including Explorer Dream, will be the safest cruise ships for guests in the post-COVID era.
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About Genting Cruise Lines
Genting Cruise Lines is a division of Genting Hong Kong comprising of three distinct cruise brands – Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises – providing a range of products from contemporary cruises to ultra-luxurious vacation experiences spanning the sea to air.
Founded in 1993, Star Cruises established the Asia-Pacific as a popular, world-wide cruise destination and, with its current fleet (SuperStar Aquarius, SuperStar Gemini, Star Pisces and The Taipan), continues to pioneer the contemporary cruise market in the region.
Launched in 2015, Dream Cruises delivers the highest level of guest service and spacious comfort in the region. Genting Dream which debuted in November 2016 and World Dream, in November 2017, were developed specifically for the China and Asia market, and provides passengers with inspirational journeys at sea that are Asian at heart and international in spirit. Explorer Dream, launched in April 2019, will further fuel Dream Cruises’ global aspirations. Production is currently underway in Germany on two new Global Class ships that will join the fleet beginning in 2021.
By sea, river, land or air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. The world-renowned Crystal Experience – featuring global journeys with Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Air – continues to entice the world’s most discerning travelers with incomparable luxury and unparalleled personal service.
Through its family of brands, Genting Cruise Lines offers the widest and most imaginative spectrum of cruise products for the modern traveller, catering to all segments, geographies, life stages and travel styles.
About Dream Cruises
Genting HK brings 26 years’ of Asian cruise industry experience in creating its new cruise line – Dream Cruises. Featuring a fleet of quality, German built vessels for Asian sourced passengers, Dream Cruises is the pacesetter in the global cruise industry, meeting the needs of the ‘emerging generation’ of confident, independently-minded and upwardly-mobile Asian travellers. Dream Cruises offers inspirational journeys, which are Asian at heart and international in spirit.
Purpose-built for the Asian market, Genting Dream, the first ship of the fleet, debuted in November 2016, with her sister ship World Dream joining in November 2017, offering guests cruising from Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Singapore the highest levels of service, as measured by crew to passenger ratio, and most spacious comfort as measured by gross tons per lower berth. Further expanding the Dream Cruises family, Explorer Dream joined in 2019 with homeports in Shanghai, Dalian and Tianjin during summer and Australia and New Zealand in winter. Construction has also started in Germany on the first 208,000 gross ton Global Class ship, Global Dream, and also the second Global Class ship, which will join the fleet in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Since its launch, Dream Cruises has been recognized by the Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide 2020 ranking Genting Dream and World Dream in the world’s top ten Large Resort Ships – the only two highest rated 4.5 star ships operating in the region.
Dream Cruises was also recently awarded ‘Best Cruise Operator’ at the Travel Trade Gazette’s (TTG) Travel Awards 2018 and “Best Cruise Line – Cuisine” and “Best Cruise Line – Entertainment” by the Travel Weekly Asia Readers’ Choice Awards 2018 and “Best New Cruise Ship” for World Dream at the 12th Annual TTG China Travel Awards 2019.
About Explorer Dream
Built with German craftsmanship, Explorer Dream measures 268 meters in length and 32 meters in width and a total gross tonnage of 75,338 tons with 928 cabins for a lower berth capacity of 1,856 passengers. The signature, luxury “ship within a ship” enclave of Dream Cruises – The Palace, provides an unprecedented “True Asian Luxury” experience to discerning travelers in China and Asia, boasting an industry leading staff to guest ratio, a majority of its suites at over 40 square meters, as well as Proprietary Butler Training endorsed by affiliated company Crystal Cruises – The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line.
A generous variety of culinary options is available to cater for every taste – from inspired Asian flavours to exquisite Western delicacies. Acclaimed Australian Chef Mark Best will extend his influence on to Explorer Dream with his Seafood Grill by Mark Best serving up the ocean’s bounty in a spectacular al fresco setting. Signature Dream dining favorites will also take pride of place on the new ship including Umi Uma for Japanese delights, Silk Road for traditional Chinese fare, Blue Lagoon for Southeast Asian comfort food and Palm Court for informal refreshments and breath-taking views. For adventurous foodies, the all new Mozzarella Ristorante e Pizzeria will tantalize with a modern fusion of classic Italian dishes and pizzas with a Japanese twist.
For media inquiries, please contact Jan Lynch Imbat Philippine Marketing, at jan.imbat@gentingcruiselines.com.
