On a tour of Genting Dream at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Chok Suat Ling gets a taste of cruising in style
THERE is a certain allure in a holiday at sea. Besides the bracing salty air, unparalleled ocean views, and romance, cruise ships these days — behemoths of the ocean — offer everything-in-one experiences for passengers.
As a result, Tripadvisor’s TripBarometer survey shows that one of the top three activities of the majority of Asian travellers who plan to try something new this year is to go on a cruise.
With this in mind, Dream Cruises, Asia’s first premium cruise line under Genting Hong Kong Ltd, will soon debut its inaugural ship, Genting Dream, conceived three years ago, to provide the highest level of service for cruise passengers in the region.
The ship will tap into the burgeoning Asian upper-middle class and affluent market.
Genting Hong Kong had unveiled its plans to claim Asia’s premium cruise market with the introduction of Dream Cruises last year. Dream Cruises completes the company’s mission of having a brand for each of the three major cruise market segments: Crystal Cruises for the luxury segment, Dream Cruises for the premium segment, and Star Cruises for the contemporary segment.
Genting Dream will be among the largest and most spacious cruise ships in Asia. The over 2,000 strong crew, which includes one of the ship’s most unique features — personal butlers who will provide guests undivided attention — are carefully recruited from across Asia and Europe.
Genting Hong Kong announced the official river conveyance of Genting Dream on Sept 18 in Papenburg, Germany. The river conveyance marks the official start of Genting Dream’s journey from her birthplace at the Meyer Werft shipyard to her first home in Guangzhou where she will begin service next month.
After the official handover ceremony from Meyer Werft to Dream Cruises on Oct 12, the ship will begin her epic ocean voyage that will take her from Germany to Gibraltar, through the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal, across the Indian Ocean with visits to India, Singapore, Vietnam and Hong Kong before ending at her new homeport in Guangzhou, China.
According to Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown, there are no plans for Genting Dream to sail to Malaysia at present but the company is open to opportunities to come here directly on its sister ship, World Dream. “It will be remiss for us to not go further south,” said Brown, adding that World Dream would be launched in November next year.
“Dream Cruises aims to be a pacesetter in the cruise industry in the region, with the finest Asian and international dining, exceptional service, enthralling entertainment and inspirational experiences. It’s timely to introduce this product as the growth of the cruise market in Asia is in double digits,” said Brown.
“Dream Cruises aims to redefine vacation travel with a transformational journey at sea.”
EVERYTHING AT YOUR DOORSTEP
One won’t be able to miss the ship as the hull of Genting Dream is decorated with a colourful piece of art, Voyage Of A Lover’s Dream, by Chinese pop-artist Jacky Tsai, best known for his creative work with fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The art piece which envisages a tale of love between a mermaid and an astronaut can be seen on both port and starboard sides and measure more than 335m in length.
On the ship, the rooms, or “staterooms” as they are called, are spacious with over 70 per cent of them containing private balconies.
For families and large groups, there are 100 connecting rooms. Passengers can opt for the ultimate luxury in Dream Mansion — a ship-within-a-ship with two floors of suites.
Passengers need not worry about food as there are over 35 restaurant and bar concepts and a 610m wraparound promenade allowing for seaside dining and lounging from sunrise to sunset.
Daily live entertainment will literally be available at your doorstep. Zouk, renowned for hosting the edgiest parties in Asia, will be onboard — the first at sea — bringing its brand of entertainment to the ocean so passengers can dance to world class music day and night. Yet another entertainment option will feature China’s Got Talent — The Dream Experience, a 45-minute theatrical representation of the worldwide hit TV series. “Having this is quite a coup for us,” said Brown.
Other activities and facilities available include pools, six water slides, play rooms, rock climbing wall, mahjong room and mini-golf. There are also Asian and Western spas, a beauty salon, barbershop, and health club.
With two state-of-the-art submersibles on board, underwater discovery will be possible for those keen to try something new. Designed to carry one pilot and four passengers, the vehicle can take passengers deep under the ocean to explore the underwater world.
Shopping enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice too with the availability of leading luxury brands in fashion, watches, jewellery and cosmetics on the ship. “We will have mono as well as multi-branded shops,” said Brown, adding that among the luxury brands would be Ferragamo and Burberry.
“We also have the Style At Sea programme for those interested in fashion as well as enrichment opportunities in the form of dance classes to financial seminars.”
The cherry on the cake will be shore excursions which enable passengers to get off the ship for short jaunts at multiple cities.
PIONEER IN ASIAN CRUISE INDUSTRY
GENTING Hong Kong, a global leisure, entertainment and hospitality enterprise, is principally engaged in the business of cruise and cruise related operations.
As a pioneer in the Asian cruise industry, Genting Hong Kong founded Star Cruises in 1993. To further expand its cruise portfolio in the region, it launched Dream Cruises, the first Asian premium cruise line to cater to the high-end market. Crystal Cruises extends Genting Hong Kong’s reach in the global upscale market.
In order to produce sufficient ships for early deliveries for its rapid fleet expansion, Genting purchased shipyards in Germany. Three shipyards in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern bought this April and named MV Werften, will focus on building new ships to meet the company’s global expansion plans for its three cruise brands.
AT YOUR SERVICE
ON call 24 hours a day, the butlers onboard Genting Dream will go the extra mile to ensure passengers are comfortable, from remembering favourite drinks to booking tables at the many restaurants on the ship.
The white-gloved butlers (men and women) are dressed impeccably, resplendent in their formal attire, with postures slightly inclined. At rest, their left hands are usually behind their back, palms out.
No task is too daunting for these trained butlers. They will, among others, pack and unpack for passengers, press garments and shine shoes. They will also arrange priority spa and excursion reservations. Afternoon tea, dinner or cocktails can be served in suite, and room service from any restaurant on board delivered.
They are handpicked from across China and Europe and trained for about three months in various aspects of housekeeping, room and restaurant service, as well as in Mandarin.
Passenger protocol, etiquette, body language, food and beverage expertise, wine and spirits knowledge, valet and personalised services are among their specialised skill-sets.
Crystal Cruises’ hotel management veteran Norbert Tesar and the line’s long-term butler Ural Korkmaz trained all crew and butlers respectively.
Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown related the story of the dedication of Ural and the type of service expected of all butlers.
“Once, Ural had a passenger who wanted to go running on shore but did not want to run alone nor knew where to go. So Ural studied the course, mapped out the area, briefed the passenger and then put on his jogging shoes to go along with her. When they were done, he prepared refreshments. The passenger was so impressed she wanted to go running at every port!”
Indeed, Brown said it is Dream Cruises’ mission to transpose the six-star service standards of Crystal Cruises and customise them to serve the fast growing Chinese market as well as all Asian passengers.
Domagoj Binder, from Zagreb, Croatia, is looking forward to serving passengers. He had worked in restaurants and ships before this and was scouted by an agency to be a butler with Dream Cruises. He immediately took up the challenge.
The 23-year-old is conversant in Mandarin after having learnt the language during his training onboard a Star Cruises ship.
“I know enough Mandarin to understand what is being said and for me to convey my thoughts in return. Two butlers will serve four or five rooms and we will be available 24 hours.
“My colleagues and I were trained onboard the Superstar Libra. We will try to fulfil our passengers’ every need. We will be there when required but of course, if passengers want privacy, that is what we will ensure too.”
DREAM CRUISES
GENTING Dream went through fit-out at shipbuilders Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany and will arrive in Singapore on Nov 4 after a two-night High Seas cruise, followed by a six-night cruise from Singapore to Hong Kong.
The cruise follows an itinerary through Vietnam, calling in at Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Da Nang.
She will debut her maiden cruise itinerary from her homeport of Guangzhou (Nansha Port), China on Nov 13, offering Vietnam stopovers of two, five and seven nights.
• Nov 13, 2016-Jan 1, 2017: The five-night cruise will explore Vietnam’s scenic Da Nang, calling at Hanoi (Ha Long Bay) on the return leg.
• Jan 1-March 31: The five-night cruise will call in at Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Both itineraries have a choice of a two-night weekend cruise to Hong Kong.
“We will introduce and launch Genting Dream in Malaysia, featuring exciting and highly-acclaimed Asian destinations,” said Thatcher Brown, Dream Cruises president.
A key highlight for the five-night cruise is the Dream Cruises Glamour Night, an evening featuring a Captain’s Welcome Ceremony. Complimentary lobster will be served at all restaurants on board. Entertainment shows, followed by an al fresco poolside Zouk Moonlight Party will kick off the Light Up Your Night theme party at sea. The Dream Mansion will host an exclusive pool deck reception party where the ship’s officers will make special appearances to mingle with guests. There will be complimentary day care services during mealtimes for children aged 6 -11.
DEPARTING FROM SINGAPORE
2 Nights Singapore - High Seas Cruise
From RM1,668 per person
Departure: Nov 4-6
6 Nights Singapore — Ho Chi Minh — Nha Trang — Danang — Hong Kong FlyCruise
From RM4,899 per person
Departure: Nov 6-13
DEPARTING FROM GUANGZHOU, CHINA
Departures: Nov 18, 2016-March 26, 2017
2 Nights Guangzhou — Hong Kong Cruise
From RM1,275 per person
5 Nights Guangzhou — Danang — Hanoi (Halong Bay) Cruise
From RM3,185 per person
5 Nights Guangzhou — Nha Trang — Ho Chi Minh Cruise
From RM3,185 per person
* Book now through your travel agent, with special launch fares available until further notice. Call 03-2302 1288 or email kl.sales@dreamcruiseline.com. Fares are per person based on twin-share in an Inside Stateroom, excluding taxes.