By
Alex Smith |
The Malaysian Government has granted approval for Star Cruises to restart operations in Malaysia on 22 December 2021. Star Cruises will be the first international cruise line to homeport and resume cruising from Malaysia since the pause caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Star Pisces will offer five roundtrip itineraries every week from Penang, Malaysia, including a two-night ‘Langkawi Escape’ and a one-night ‘Straits of Malacca’ itinerary.
“As part of Genting Cruise Lines, Star Cruises is excited to pioneer safe cruises in Malaysia and to work hand-in-hand with the ministries under the Malaysian government, together with the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port, to support the country’s National Recovery Plan,” said Kent Zhu, president of Star Cruises’ parent company Genting Cruise Lines. “We are also actively pursuing the creation of ‘Harmonise Cruising Standards’ for the region in the hope of gradually reopening international cruising in a controlled and safe manner, which will also help bring tourists to Malaysia.”
The ship will initially operate at 50 per cent passenger capacity, with all guests and crew onboard required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. All guests will also be required to present a negative test result after completing the mandatory pre-boarding antigen rapid test, which will be carried out at the cruise terminal on the day of the departure.
“With the approval from the National Security Council to restart domestic cruise operations, the cruise industry was given a new lease of life to operate once again,” said Datuk Tan Teik Cheng, PPC chairman. “PPC believes the cruise packages offered by Star Cruises under Genting Cruise Lines will provide Malaysians with a long-awaited holiday alternative, as travelling abroad is presently restricted.”
Star Pisces bookings will be available to all Malaysian citizens, foreigners with valid Malaysian long-term visit passes, and international tourists who complete and pass the quarantine and home surveillance order by the Malaysian authorities.
“This is truly a joyful occasion as we are looking forward to jump start the cruise services in phase four of the government’s National Recovery Plan,” said Dato Sasedharan Vasudevan, CEO of Penang Port. “By working with Genting Cruise Lines, we intend to revitalise the domestic tourism sector and help it reach new heights in the coming years.”