Dream’s Taiwan return

DREAM Cruises has celebrated the restart of voyage operations, with a special ceremony in Taiwan to commemorate its new “island hopping” itineraries created specially for the region’s market.

The resumption of cruising has been strongly backed by local authorities, with Dream hailing their “vision to reinvigorate the local economy and the tourism industry”.

As well as offering voyages for locals showcasing scenic destinations and outlying islands, the initiative includes a range of collaborations to provide local produce on board.

Genting Cruise Lines President Kent Zhu said it was a great honour for the company to continue its long partnership with Taiwan, adding the resumption would “bring hope to the global cruise industry as well”.

The return to cruising for Explorer Dream follows months of preparations, with the line enhancing all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols to ensure the safest environment for everyone on board.

Dream has introduced a new Flexi-Feast dining concept giving guests total flexibility to choose from a wider choice of venues and dine at their leisure, while also ensuring social distancing.

Prior to restarting cruising the ship observed strict quarantine procedures including 21 days of crew isolation, COVID-19 testing and a deep cleaning.

The crew has also participated in “outbreak simulation drills” under the guidance of the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control.

“The restarting of the cruise industry is a remarkable achievement which was made possible by the Taiwan authorities’ swift and effective handling of the COVID-19 crisis and their foresight in resuming the tourism industry to benefit all the ports, the economy and the lifestyle of the people of Taiwan,” Zhu concluded.