Off to a dream beginning

THE keel was laid for Dream Cruises’ Global Class flagship at Genting Hong Kong’s MV WERFTEN shipyard in Germany last week.

The event attracted more than 1,000 business partners, travel agents, & media, in addition to special guests including the German PM Manuela Schwesig.

The laying of the first section measuring 22m in length, 26m in width and weighing in at 410 tonnes, marked the start of construction on one of the largest cruise ships built in Germany.

“The Global Class is designed from the keel up with more exciting public areas and larger cabins than traditional cruise ships,” said Genting Hong Kong chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

The ceremony represents a milestone moment for the cruise line which is embarking on a rapid growth phase in a bid to become “Asia’s Global Cruise Line”.

“Expanding the Dream Cruises brand globally goes hand-in-hand with an aggressive new-build program that will more than double our capacity by 2021,” said Dream Cruises president Thatcher Brown.

Amenities on the Global Class vessel will include a theme park with a virtual reality roller coaster, cinemas, Asian and western style spas, numerous retail outlets, as well as Asian and international dining experiences.

The ship will host 2,500 cabins and accommodate up to 5,000 pax (twin share), and caters for up to 9,500 passengers during peak holiday periods.

Pictured: Genting Hong Kong’s executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thaya and German Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig place lucky coins in the ship’s keel.