Star Voyager, the latest ship to homeport in Singapore, embarked on its maiden voyage on March 26, heralding the revival of the StarCruises and Dream Cruises brands, and a new chapter for the former Star Cruises, a brand with over 30 years of history in the region.
The vessel, with a capacity of 1,940 passengers, will offer a new cruising experience tailored for the Asian market, travelling to Malacca and Jakarta before returning to Singapore.
Positioned as an affordable, lifestyle-driven cruise experience, StarCruises will operate mid-sized ships, including the Star Voyager and Star Navigator, catering to travellers seeking comfort, entertainment, and adventure at sea.
Dream Cruises offers a more luxurious experience with exclusive privileges and premium amenities on larger ships, including its flagship, Genting Dream, which accommodates over 3,000 guests.
“By clearly differentiating between StarCruises and Dream Cruises, we are able to cater to distinct segments while reinforcing our leadership in the Asian cruise industry and beyond,” said Michael Goh, president, StarCruises and Dream Cruises. “This is an exciting milestone for StarCruises and we are honoured to play a key role in supporting and contributing towards the growth of Singapore’s inbound and outbound cruise travel.”
The Star Voyager will offer three-, four- and five-night cruises connecting Singapore to dual homeport cities of Jakarta, Malacca, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City – further increasing inbound tourists to these destinations – as well as to other destinations such as Medan, Koh Samui, and Redang island.
A total of US$50 million was invested in refurbishing areas such as the lobby, restaurants, and Palace class suites. The entertainment programme and activities were also carefully planned to cater to multigenerational travellers, including a teens club with activities designed by the ship’s youngest crew to appeal to teenagers.
“We are strong believers in providing good experiences,” said Goh, adding that happy customers make for the strongest ambassadors of the brand.
Colin Kerr, senior vice-president of Cruise Entertainment, echoed this sentiment, noting that some guests are so invested in the product that their feedback has been taken into consideration.
The MICE segment, which contributes to 30 per cent of the business, is also another segment the company plans to continue growing.
StarCruises has plans to offer fly-cruise options to Australia and is exploring the Indian market as well.
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Voyager will homeport at the Singapore Cruise Centre until July 21.