A new international cruise line has launched in Asia at a critical moment as borders reopen in the region.
But the industry expertise and management experience behind the business is anything but new. In fact, industry members and cruise-goers would already be familiar with the newly launched brand.
The new entrant is Resorts World Cruises, whose founding is rooted in decades of cruise operations in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, Resorts World Cruises is a brand extension of Resorts World, whose portfolio spans 46 properties in eight countries worldwide.
“We started our cruise operations 30 years ago in Singapore, and we are excited to again launch Resorts World Cruises in Singapore. We appreciate Singapore’s support in reopening the cruise industry, the first to do so in the region,” said Lim Kok Thay, who is executive chairman of Resorts World Cruises. “We also appreciate the support and trust of the Chinese leasing banks in allowing Resorts World Cruises to charter the Genting Dream.”
Michael Goh, who previously headed the now-defunct Dream Cruises, will steer Resorts World Cruises as president & head of international sales.
Come 15 June 2022, Resorts World Cruises will debut in Singapore with the 3,352-pax Genting Dream cruise ship. Homeporting in Singapore, the ship will offer round-trip 2-Night Getaway Cruises, departing every Wednesday and Friday, and the 3-Night Escapade Cruise, departing every Sunday.
Michael Goh, president of the former Dream Cruises, will take up the role of president at the newly founded Resorts World Cruises.
From 30 September 2022, Resort World Cruises will also expand its itineraries with a series of 2, 3 and 5N cruises to popular destinations in the region, including Malacca, Port Klang, Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia; Phuket in Thailand; and Bintan, Surabaya and Bali in Indonesia.
Goh stresses that Resort World Cruises will seek to elevate and differentiate its Asian-oriented culture and hospitality offerings through customised and diverse international experiences catered to personal preferences.
“With Resorts World Cruises, we’re coming back to reclaim the Asian cruise space and continue to build up our offerings for Asian customers,” states Goh.
The new cruise line will create new opportunities for the Asian cruise industry, providing vacationers with “a kaleidoscope of lifestyle experiences on board Genting Dream”, he adds.
The brand aims to position itself as the leading cruise line in the region, with its amenities and service conceived with Asians in mind, including being the only cruise ship in the region with certified halal dining venues and offerings. It also provides safety standards and precautionary measures in accordance with international guidelines as well as Singapore Tourism Board’s CruiseSafe certification.
As a gesture of goodwill, Resorts World Cruises will offer complimentary cruise credit of equivalent value for all paid affected passengers impacted by World Dream’s cruise cancellations in Singapore between 2 March and 31 August 2022. This is applicable to affected World Dream passengers who have yet to receive any refund from their original booking source.
This move is deemed especially important to Resorts World Cruises. “We are implementing the credit initiative because we really value our customers. We want to give them peace of mind and assure them that their paid cruise fares will remain safe and protected,” Goh tells Travel Weekly Asia.
Bookings open from 18 May 2022 onwards, and all cruise payments made to Resorts World Cruises will be kept in a separate account, and will only be drawn down prior to the actual cruise commencement.
Further enquiries can be made to reservations.en@rwcruises.com.