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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä
Category: More News More News
Published: 17 November 2017 17 November 2017

Genting Hong Kong celebrated the arrival of Dream Cruises’ second new ship, World Dream, today at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal with a special blessing and christening ceremony to impart good fortune and luck to the vessel. Puan Sri Cecilia Lim, World Dream’s official Godmother and the wife of Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genting Hong Kong, delivered her inspirational message and activated the traditional breaking of the champagne on the hull of the new ship in the presence of more than 1,000 guests including government dignitaries, business and trade partners and media.

World Dream is the sister ship to Genting Dream which debuted last November to great acclaim receiving a Star Performer Top Ten rating in the Large Resort category of the highly-revered Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Guide 2018 along with ‘Best New Ship’ and ‘Best Cruise Line – Entertainment’ recognitions at the Travel Weekly Asia Reader’s Choice Awards 2017, and will double the capacity for Dream Cruises, Asia’s up-market cruise line, in the region.

Notable attendees at the debut and christening included Guest of Honour The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Mr Edward Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Cathy Chu, JP, Commissioner for Tourism and Dr Peter Lam, GBS, Chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board.

“We are truly excited to christen World Dream in Hong Kong – and to be the first-ever cruise ship to have this honour in a city that holds such significance to Genting Hong Kong and Dream Cruises. As the pioneer of the Asian cruise industry 24 years ago, Genting Hong Kong developed the Asian cruise industry with the founding of Star Cruises, with its headquarters in Hong Kong,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genting Hong Kong. “Now, with Genting Dreams’ arrival in the Pearl River Delta a year ago, she has delivered over 300,000 international passenger trips from across the region. Hundreds of jobs have been created and tourism receipts in hotels, airlines and destination management industries for the Pearl River Delta have grown significantly.”

During the event, Tan Sri Lim also expressed the importance of Hong Kong to both Genting Hong Kong and the overall cruise industry in the Asia Pacific and reiterated the company’s commitment to showcase the city and grow the Pearl River Delta region into a world-class, cruise destination hub. He noted that, as a well-developed port city, Hong Kong is strategically located to promote China’s "Greater Bay Area" initiative to link the major cities in the Pearl River Delta into an integrated economic and business centre.

During the event, Guest of Honour, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, and Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genting Hong Kong delivered their messages to the audience followed by the customary exchange of gifts and souvenirs to the various VIPs in attendance. Guests were also treated to a dazzling sneak preview performance of World Dream’s brand new signature stage production, Sonio, a picturesque production inspired by the dawn of a new dream, and the much anticipated blessing by the God mother and the smashing of the bottle of champagne activated by the simple touch of a spectacular full moon to symbolize the attainment of one’s dreams.

Complimenting World Dream’s on board attractions, diverse itineraries featuring new, authentic destination experiences will take guests on tropical and cultural journeys in Asia. Specially designed voyages taking in sun-drenched, popular destinations for the winter feature 6-day/5-night cruises to Manila and Boracay in the Philippines alternating with 6-day/5-night journeys to Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang in Vietnam.