Kalle Id reporting from Wismar, Germany

Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises, both brands of the Genting Hong Kong conglomerate, today contracted ten new ships from the also-Genting-owned Lloyd Werft group, to be delivered between 2017 and 2020. The ships contracted included the confirmation of the already publicised orders with Crystal Cruises for four river cruise ships, one polar class yacht and one Exclusive Class ocean-going ship. In addition to the earlier publicised newbuilds, Crystal Cruises ordered an additional pair of river yachts for delivery in 2018.

At the same time Star Cruises, Genting's contemporary brand for the Asian market, contracted a pair of 201,000 gt and 5,000 lower berth mega cruise ships for Star Cruises. Known as the Global class, the new ships will be designed with ”Chinese characteristics”, Star Cruises describing them as the first purpose built cruise ships for the contemporary Chinese market. According to Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, the chairman of Genting Hong Kong, the new ships are ”focused on delivering a world-class vacation experience for Chinese cruise passengers at an affordable price.” The standard cabins on the Global Class ships will be 19.2 square metres in size, designed specificially for family travel with separate bathrooms and toilets.

The previously publicised second and third unit of the Exclusive Class for Crystal Cruises will be contracted at a later date, once final financing is in place, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, told the gathered media.

Thanks to the extensive portfolio of new contracts, Lloyd Werft is expecting to increase the workforce across the four shipyards from current 1,700 people to 3,000, in addition to expected 3,000 subcontractors.