Crystal and Dream Cruises leaders share their visions at China trade events

Edie Rodriguez, president and ceo of Crystal Cruises, and Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises, appeared at events in Hong Kong last Friday, Shanghai on Monday and Guangzhou on Tuesday.

'As wealthy travelers from China emerge as the growing market in the travel industry, we see great opportunity in delivering them Crystal’s uncompromised luxury service across all of our vacation experiences, including Crystal Cruises, Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air and Crystal Residences,' Rodriguez said.

For his part, Brown said Dream Cruises introduces a home-grown, premium cruise brand that is focused on the China market. Experiences and accommodations are tailor-made for the Chinese vacationer including numerous connecting cabins for families and specially planned restaurants offering authentic Chinese cuisines.

Genting HK established Star Cruises in 1993 and jumpstarted the current boom in cruise travel in China and across the region.

Last year the company acquired Crystal Cruises to capitalise on the growing global demand in the luxury cruise market and launched Dream Cruises, designed to cater to the growing middle and affluent classes in China and Asia Pacific.

And as Genting HK continues to expand its three cruise brands, it acquired Lloyd Werft in 2015 and three German shipyards in February this year.

Editor's note: See cover story on Genting Hong Kong's multi-brand strategy in the March issue of Seatrade Cruise Review.