Formerly the SuperStar Virgo of sister brand Star Cruises, Explorer Dream will undergo a US$30 million transformation in March 2019.
Genting Cruise is adding a new ship to its Dream Cruises family with Explorer Dream, a 75,338 gross tonne, 1,870-passenger ship that will join the fleet in 2019.
Formerly the SuperStar Virgo of sister brand Star Cruises, Explorer Dream will undergo a US$30 million transformation in March 2019.
New facilities will include The Palace, Dream Cruises’ signature private enclave featuring 50 suites and butler service.
New food and beverage options will combine the best of “East meets West”. Also onboard will be a new Crystal Life Spa.
“Dream Cruises will be extending its brand recognition to 300 million Chinese in Shanghai and Tianjin/Beijing next summer as well as offering cruises in Australia and New Zealand to its Asian-sourced passengers during winter 2019 – the first time Dream Cruises will be sailing outside Asia,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, executive chairman of Genting Hong Kong.
Explorer Dream will offer another option for Asia-based guests to expand their travel horizons with new rail/cruise and fly/cruise opportunities to see the world, Tan Sri Lim added.
Explorer Dream will homeport in Shanghai and Tianjin during Spring/Summer 2019 with a selection of voyages of various durations to Japan, Russia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
In Autumn/Winter of 2019, Explorer Dream will homeport in Sydney and Auckland where she will embark on 21 seven-night weekly itineraries, taking in destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania, Melbourne, Milford Sound and Napier in New Zealand.
Genting said with pre- and post-stays available in Sydney and Auckland, Dream Cruises’ 7-night itineraries in Australia and New Zealand would be an important cornerstone for Asian travellers who typically enjoy nine to 14-day vacations when visiting Down Under.
“We will be accelerating our vision to develop Dream Cruises into Asia’s Global Cruise Line by utilising one of Asia’s favourite ships, SuperStar Virgo, and converting her into a brand new sibling alongside Genting Dream and World Dream,” added Tan Sri Lim.
Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises, said the response from the Chinese travel community to bringing the Dream Cruises brand to the more populous North China market had been extremely positive.
“We have also experienced overwhelming support from the Asian travel community with news of the ship’s homeport in Australia and New Zealand. With Explorer Dream as our pathfinder vessel, this truly marks the first giant step for Dream Cruises to become Asia’s Global Cruise Line,” Brown added.