First steel has been cut for the first one of two newbuildings of Star Cruises as Meyer Werft in Germany, the Hong Kong based cruise line said in a statement.

"This marks the beginning of the first of two new mega cruise ships that will be delivered in fall 2016 and fall 2017 respectively, to be homeported in Asia," Star Cruises said.

Upon completion, the new mega cruise ships will have a gross tonnage of more than 151,000 and rhey will have more than 1,600 cabins, accommodating approximately 4,500 passengers and 2,000 crew members.

"The 21-deck luxury cruise ships will be the new flagships under the Star Cruises brand, offering a wide array of itineraries, leisure and entertainment options for all cruise travelers. With these new offerings, coupled with Star Cruises’ renowned world-class Asian hospitality, travelers can expect the ultimate freestyle cruising experience with best-in-class facilities and services," Star said.

The new ship design will allow our guests greater choice with a wide-range of onboard activities, amenities and stateroom options with the latest features, including villas, on the open seas. In addition, the mega cruise ships will offer over 30 Food and Beverage outlets such as gourmet restaurants, bars and cafes specializing in international and Asian cuisines.

One of the highlights includes a special street night market with hawker stalls, serving famous Asian delicacies from various countries. In addition, there is a state-of-the-art modern theatre, world-class recreation, health and fitness and MICE facilities. For the families, there is an array of aqua slides and a kids’ waterpark. The newly built ship will also dedicate around 1,000 square meters of floor area for the ultimate retail experience at sea with a variety of international luxury brands.

With the expected arrival of the newly commissioned mega cruise ships in 2016 and 2017, Star Cruises is set to bring the standard of luxury cruising to the next level in Asia.