Genting Dream inaugurates Island Gems of Japan summer itinerary

Over four thousand International guests and crew joined the first cruise arriving in Naha on Tuesday, then Miyakojima today, marking the official debut of Dream Cruises’ Journey to the Island Gems of Japan summer itinerary.

Local performers welcomed Genting Dream’s guests with an enthusiastic Eisa performance, a traditional drum dance, and cultural presentations highlighted by a Ryukyu dance and traditional folk music performed on an Okinawan Sanshin.

The Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau also presented a special memento for the passengers showcasing the star-shaped sand that can only be found at Okinawa.

To celebrate the inaugural cruise, a special ceremony was held on board the ship attended by Japanese dignitaries, executives of Genting Hong Kong, as well as local media.

During the Kagami Biraki, a traditional Japanese ritual, Takao Kadekaru, director general, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government; Tsutomu Kinjo, evp of Naha Port Authority; Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises; and the ship’s captain Carl Magnus Folke Gottberg cracked open a ceremonial barrel.

On April 5, Genting Dream arrived at Miyakojima, one of most remote islands in Okinawa.

The ship was welcomed at the pier by Japanese dignitaries including Shimoji Toshihiko, mayor of Miyakojima and Tomiyama Kenji, chairman of Miyako Island Tourism Association, during an official ceremony highlighted by traditional musical performances.