Dream Cruises’ World Dream embarks on her inaugural sailing from Kaohsiung, Taiwan
By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Dream Cruises’ World Dream has embarked on her inaugural sailing from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, marking the latest in a series of events to celebrate Genting Cruise Lines’ 25th anniversary.
The event recognised the partnerships and support of the various organisations and business partners that have played a role in the development and growth of Genting in Taiwan. The Ministry of Transportation and Communications also presented Genting with the ‘Innovative Contribution Award’ in recognition of how the company has supported the development of ports, cities and the cruise industry throughout Taiwan. The occasion also provided guests with the chance to experience an exclusive preview of Dream Cruises’ new Global Class ship through a specially constructed preview cabin that was showcased on the 150,000gt World Dream.
“Kaohsiung has always held a special place in the heart of Genting Cruise Lines,” said Hui Lim, deputy CEO and executive director of Genting Hong Kong. “Since its first voyage to Kaohsiung with the deployment of Star Cruises’ Star Pisces in 1994, Genting Cruise Lines has accounted for more than five million passenger throughput from its fleet in Taiwan serving both the domestic market and bringing in tourists to visit from all across the region and around the world.”
At the event, Genting co-hosted a cruise forum with Taiwan International Ports Corporation and International Cruise Council Taiwan onboard World Dream to discuss further development of the cruise industry in Taiwan.
World Dream, which is the largest cruise ship to ever homeport in Taiwan, will sail from Kaohsiung and Keelung throughout July and August, which will draw in over 10,000 cruise guests and contribute over US$5 million to the local economy. This year, Genting will also expand its presence in Taiwan by deploying Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream in the country for the first time too.
“Genting Cruise Lines is proud to have played a prominent role in the transformation of Taiwan into the second largest source market in the Asian cruise industry,” said Lim. “In demonstration of our commitment in the development of the cruise market in Taiwan, next year we will expand the deployment of Dream Cruises to 10 sailings from March to October, which will bring over 40,000 in-bound tourists to Taiwan, while providing inspirational journeys to cruise enthusiasts from Taiwan at the convenience of their doorsteps.”