Malaysia’s first high-end dining and sightseeing vessel, the Penang Princess, is expected to sail come 2027.
This follows a multi-million-dollar investment between Ocean World Cruises Berhad, Viet Princess Cruiser Corporation, Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Group (VISEC), and Ships Classification Malaysia.
With a design that blends British colonial with Oriental aesthetics to reflect Penang’s heritage, the 61.58-metre vessel will offer passengers fine dining, entertainment and sightseeing options while sailing along the Straits of Malacca.
It will also be possible to book out the venue at sea for weddings, corporate galas, tourism events and cultural showcases.
Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia and chairman of Penang Port Commission, has hailed the cruise as a “new icon” for the world to experience Penang’s beauty from the sea.
Looking ahead, Penang has plans for a second locally-based vessel and to eventually expand to Singpaore.