Genting Hong Kong

The keel laying ceremony for Dream Cruises’ Global Class flagship took place at Genting Hong Kong’s MV WERFTEN shipyard in Rostock on Tuesday, 11 September 2018. The “laying” of the first section measuring 22 meters long, 26 meters wide and weighing 410 tons, about half of the full keel, marks the start of construction of the largest cruise ship ever built in Germany.
 
Approximately one thousand shipyard employees, partners, and guests from the worlds of business and politics accepted the invitation to the event. Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig, Minister of Economic Affairs, Harry Glawe, Genting Hong Kong's Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Group President Colin Au, Dream Cruises President Thatcher Brown and MV WERFTEN's CEO Peter Fetten placed the traditional lucky coins in the keel before the 95-meter high gantry crane lowered the section into place.

Genting Hong Kong also livestreamed the ceremony via the Dream Cruises Facebook Page and Weibo in China, inviting viewers from around the world to celebrate alongside the VIP guests in attendance. Additionally, over 1,000 business partners, travel agents, media and special guests also witnessed the live ceremony at special events across the company’s key markets including in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Sydney.
 
"The Global Class is designed from the keel up for the Asian source market which requires more exciting public areas and larger cabins than traditional cruise ships. The new ship will also be supported by the world's leading technology and digital systems catering to Asians who are more used to digital technology,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Genting Hong Kong. “Ownership of MV Werften also means greater flexibility in incorporating the latest technical advancements for the shipyard to build the best cruise ship in the world.”
 
“This is a very proud moment for Dream Cruises. Building on the successful debuts of Genting Dream in 2016 and World Dream in 2017, the addition of two Global Class ships to the fleet will allow Dream Cruises to offer our partners and guests more itineraries worldwide,” said Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruise. “Expanding the Dream Cruises brand globally goes hand-in-hand with an aggressive new-build program that will more than double our capacity in by 2021 and help us realize our aspiration to be “Asia’s Global Cruise Line.”

Peter Fetten, Managing Director at MV WERFTEN added: "We are creating something truly great. After an intensive engineering and design phase, today's keel laying marks the next stage of the manufacturing process of MV's first mega-ship…its dock assembly. We would like to thank all of our employees and partners for the work already completed on this ambitious project and look forward to the continued successful collaboration with Genting and Dream Cruises."
 
Production of this 204,000 gross ton ship, which will measure 342 meters long and over 46 meters wide, will take place in parallel in Wismar and Rostock. The 220-meter-long midship will be manufactured in Rostock and will move to Wismar in 2019, where the bow and stern, as well as the superstructures, will be mounted. The 2,500 passenger cabins produced by MV WERFTEN Fertigmodule in Wismar will also be installed in Wismar. A total of around 600 companies will be involved in the construction process.
 
The Global Class ships are designed for the rapidly growing Asian cruise market and will join the Dream Cruises award-winning fleet, allowing Dream Cruises to offer cruises all over the world to become “Asia’s Global Cruise Line”. Amenities will include a theme park featuring a roller coaster with virtual reality, a Cineplex, Asian spa in addition to a Western spa, ample shopping facilities as well as authentic Asian and international dining experiences and fast food restaurants. Her 2,500 cabins will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 passengers on a twin share basis and can cater for up to 9,500 passengers during peak holiday periods. As safety is of primary concern at Dream Cruises, sufficient life-saving facilities and ample width of fire stairs will ensure the well-being of all guests on board the new Global Class vessel. 

About Genting Hong Kong Limited (“Genting Hong Kong”)
Genting Hong Kong is a leading corporation principally engaged in the business of cruise and cruise related operations along with leisure, entertainment and hospitality activities.
 
As a pioneer in the Asian cruise industry, Genting Hong Kong took on the bold initiative to grow the Asia-Pacific as an international cruise destination with the founding of Star Cruises, “The Leading Cruise Line in the Asia Pacific”, in 1993. To further expand its cruise portfolio in the region, Genting Hong Kong launched Dream Cruises, the first-ever Asian luxury cruise line to cater to the high-end market. Recognized as “The World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line”, Crystal Cruises extends Genting Hong Kong’s reach in the global up-scale market. The establishment of the German shipyard MV Werften in 2016 will capitalize on the growing demand for new cruise ships and realize the company’s global expansion plans for its three cruise brands.
 
Initiating the Group’s foray into land-based attractions, Resorts World Manila was the first integrated resort in the Philippines when it opened in 2009. A one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination, Resorts World Manila features world-class entertainment, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options throughout its extensive premises. Genting Hong Kong’s investment in iconic Singapore nightlife brand Zouk – a world-class entertainment institution and trendsetter in Asia’s dance music scene, and perennial top-ten fixture in the annual DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs global poll - further diversifies the company’s appeal to a younger and more dynamic clientele.
 
About Dream Cruises
Genting Hong Kong brings nearly 25 years’ of Asian cruise industry experience in creating its new cruise line – Dream Cruises.
 
Dream Cruises aims to be a pacesetter in the cruise industry globally, meeting the needs of the ‘emerging generation’ of confident, independently-minded and upwardly-mobile Asian travellers and families. Dream Cruises offers inspirational journeys, which are Asian at heart and international in spirit.
 
Purpose-built for the China and Asia market, Genting Dream, the first ship of the fleet, debuted in November 2016, with her sister ship World Dream joining the fleet in November 2017, offering guests the highest levels of service and spacious comfort in the region.
 
Accommodations in the Dream Class ships reflect both size and choice for travellers with over 70 per cent of staterooms featuring private balconies and over 100 connecting rooms catering to extended families and groups. Distinguished by its European style butler service and special all-inclusive guest privileges, The Palace, a luxurious ship within a ship concept, will indulge travellers in lavish suites and an aura of exclusivity. 
 
With the finest Asian and international dining, exceptional service, enthralling entertainment and inspirational experiences, Dream Cruises aims to redefine vacation travel with a transformational journey at sea.
 
Since its launch, Dream Cruises has been recognized as one of “The Top 10 Large Resort Ships” by the 2018 Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide; “Asia’s Best Cruise Ship” by the 2018 Asian Cruise Forum, “Best Preferred Cruise Brand for Families” by the Global Times, “Best New Ship” by the 2017 Travel Weekly Asia and many more awards received than any other cruise line in Asia. 
 
Production has also started in Germany on two new Global Class ships that will join the fleet in 2021 and 2022 highlighted by more new facilities and advanced technological features. Each Dream Cruises ship has bears the “Made in Germany” mark, a country known to produce the best quality products in the world, including cruise ships.