After one week of sales since bookings opened May 27, Genting Dream’s first two cruises on July 30 and Aug. 1 are at close to 90% occupancy while Friday night departures throughout August are at nearly 50% of capacity.
'The interest in Genting Dream has even extended to inquiries from corporate groups, charity organizations and wedding parties who are looking at chartering the ship later in the year,' said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines. 'Also contributing to the success of our cruises has been the backing we have received from our travel and business partners who have been a great support to Dream Cruises throughout the years.'
HKTB support
Hong Kong Tourism Board welcomed the resumption of cruises and is promoting the 'staycation at sea' under its 'Holiday at home' platform.
Both Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean are offering short cruises to nowhere.
'Cruise tourism is an integral part of Hong Kong’s tourism and the resumption of high sea cruises is the first step to the recovery of the cruise sector,' HKTB Chairman Y.K. Pang said.
Along with promoting staycations at sea, the tourism board will 'communicate to consumers the newly established safety and hygiene protocol as well as the anti-epidemic measures adopted by cruise lines to rebuild visitors’ confidence in traveling on cruises,' Pang continued. 'When cross-border travel resumes, the HKTB will then gradually market our cruise experience to mainland and international visitor sources.'
Genting Dream is offering two- and three-night cruises, while Spectrum of the Seas will operate two-, three- and four-night sailings.
Vaccination mandate
According to local media reports citing government officials, cruises will sail at reduced capacity and with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for crew and for passengers 16 and older, and Hong Kong will be assisting with crew vaccination.
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