Genting Cruise Lines has announced plans to increase the capacity of its cruises out of Hong Kong from 50% to 75% from 1 December 2021.
According to a company announcement issued Wednesday, Genting Cruise Lines subsidiary Dream Cruises has received advice from the Hong Kong authorities that its cruise ship Genting Dream can increase capacity starting next month, allowing up to 2,500 passengers per voyage.
“Dream Cruises is delighted to be able to increase passenger capacity on board Genting Dream to 75% and we would like to thank the Hong Kong authorities for providing us with this stamp of approval on the effectiveness of our health and hygiene protocols,” said Genting Cruise Lines President, Kent Zhu.
“Since we resumed cruises on 30 July, we have welcomed over 70,000 passengers on Genting Dream without any COVID-19 related incidents and we are grateful to the residents of Hong Kong for putting their trust in our hands.
“As the first cruise company to resume sailings in Hong Kong, Dream Cruises will continue to work hard to provide residents of the city with the safe and worry-free vacation option that delivers a true ‘get-away’ experience that is Asian at heart and international in spirit.”
It’s been a busy year for Dream Cruises, which in April saw parent Genting Hong Kong increase its stake in the company acquire US$248 million worth of new subscription shares to help stave off financial pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Genting Hong Kong subsequently launched a vaccination incentive scheme through which it gave away almost HK$4 million (US$515,000) in prizes to Hong Kong residents who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of its efforts to resume regional operations.