27 May 2021 3:13 GMT Updated 27 May 2021 10:15 GMT in Singapore
Hong Kong authorities have joined a growing list of Asian countries that are allowing the resumption of cruising provided the voyages remain domestic in nature.
The decision was announced on Wednesday.
Genting Cruise Lines’ Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean International immediately announced they would each deploy one ship in Hong Kong.
The Royal Caribbean Group subsidiary will use its 169,000-gt Spectrum of the Seas (built 2019), while Dream is sending its 151,000-gt Genting Dream (built 2016).
Both ships will begin operating short high-seas cruises, advertised as seacations, from the end of July. The cruises will range between two and four nights, similar to both company’s ships operating out of Singapore.
The Spectrum of the Seas in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government is targeting end-July to restart its cruise sector, giving the green light to two cruise lines to resume short sailings from the city.
Genting Cruise Lines will be offering 2- and 3-night Super Summer Seacations on the Genting Dream, the flagship of Dream Cruises fleet that features accommodation in the Balcony Staterooms and the all-inclusive, all-suite The Palace. The crucial experience gained as the first cruise line to resume in Asia with Explorer Dream and World Dream in Taiwan and Singapore, respectively, provides invaluable first-hand knowledge on how to operate cruises in the safest possible environment and it is our goal to also be the first to resume in Hong Kong, said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines.
Dream Cruises is rolling out vaccinations for staff in Taiwan, making it the first cruise company to implement a comprehensive vaccination program in Asia.