Dream Cruises is only just over three years old – but already it has welcomed its millionth passenger and announced bold plans to expand as a global brand.
Wilianty Wilianty, an Indonesian resident, had been on Genting Dream’s maiden five-night cruise to Kota Kinabalu and Puerto Princesa (Palawan), along with her brother and sister’s families.
To mark the milestone event, Genting Cruise Lines presented Wilianty with a five-night Sunday Cruise in a Dream Villa for a family of six – a prize that is worth US$31,000 – which they can enjoy on their next family cruise holiday.
Asia’s first luxury cruise line has two ships so far, based in Singapore and Hong Kong. But it has big ambitions.
With its first new 204,000-ton Global class vessel set to debut from company-owned MV Werften in early 2021, Dream Cruises has plans for a major expansion.
Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong told an event recently: “To accommodate the future of cruising, we are in the process of building the cruise ships of tomorrow at our own shipyards in Germany and we are excited for the upcoming launch of our new, technologically advanced Global class ships in early 2021.”
The new ships will cruise in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
Of the new ships, the company says: “Be wowed by the industry’s most spacious staterooms and most luxurious suites, the first-ever theme park at sea featuring the world’s longest roller coaster at sea, the largest cinema at sea, voice and facial recognition technology, self-guided mobile assistants and so much more.
“Enjoy the authentic Asian experience on board with heartfelt Asian hospitality, authentic Chinese cuisine, and the largest variety of Asian and International dining, as you sail from Asia’s major homeports to the region’s most exciting destinations.
“Better yet, go global with grand voyages to the rest of the world including Australia, New Zealand, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean.”
With an amazing 9,000 at full capacity, the vessels will be the largest in the world. 
They will include the 151-suite luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept, The Palace.
The line is planning an assault on the Australian market later this year.
Dream, which also owns ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises and contemporary Star Cruises, has spent $30 million converting Superstar Virgo to the Explorer Dream.
She will sail from Sydney and New Zealand for a period of about five months during the wave season at the end of 2019 and early 2020, which coincides with China’s chilly winter.
Genting Cruises megaship interior
The Superstar Virgo sailed Australia waters some 15 years ago, and “won the hearts of many Australians,” according to the line’s Australian Associate Vice President Brigitta Devries.
The 2,500 guest vessel will be well-priced to tackle the Australia/New Zealand market.
