Superstar Gemini Inaugural Cruises from Xiamen Kick Off Fujian Government’S Cross-Strait International Cruising Initiative
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Genting Hong Kong Limited (Continued into Bermuda with limited liability – Registration No.29337) (formerly known as Star Cruises Limited) PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SuperStar Gemini Inaugural Cruises from Xiamen Kick off Fujian Government’s Cross-strait International Cruising Initiative Hong Kong/Xiamen, 15 October, 2013 – SuperStar Gemini of Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in Asia-Pacific, reached Xiamen’s shore on 11 October, 2013. Carrying 1,051 passengers, the ship set sail from its homeport Xiamen for Taiwan for the first time. SuperStar Gemini’s inaugural cruise from Xiamen was the debut promotion of Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau’s new initiative to boost cross-strait international cruising. Xiamen Municipal Government Vice Mayor Kang Tao, Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Zheng Weirong, officials and representatives from Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau, Xiamen Municipal Government, Xiamen Tourism Bureau and related authorities graced the milestone event on 11 October. Star Cruises China Operations Senior Vice President Mr Ang Moo Lim thanked the Xiamen Municipal Government, the Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau and all affiliated authorities for the support and assistance they have rendered to Star Cruises. Mr Ang said, “Star Cruises was founded by an overseas Chinese from Fujian. It grew from only one vessel 20 years ago to the number one cruise company in Asia-Pacific. Together with Norwegian Cruise Line, another premium brand under the same company, it is the third largest cruise operator in the world. The friendship of Star Cruises and Xiamen dates back to 1994 when Star Cruises first began to call at Chinese ports including Xiamen. We were the first international cruise line to enter the market and have since brought more than 1.2 million travellers to China from all over the world by cruise. What really excites us today is for SuperStar Gemini to be able to take Chinese travellers to Keelung, Penghu, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Hong Kong, Boracay and Manila for the first time with Xiamen being the homeport. 1 Genting Hong Kong Limited (Continued into Bermuda with limited liability – Registration No.29337) (formerly known as Star Cruises Limited) We’d like to further develop these Xiamen-based itineraries and strengthen tourism in Xiamen so as to contribute to the development of Xiamen as a cruise homeport.” The Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau has arranged a variety of traditional performances to commemorate the significant moment. Four lions did a joyful dance to wish passengers a bon voyage on SuperStar Gemini. The ship’s world-class dancers also put on an extraordinary dance performance to showcase the magnificent entertainment offered onboard. The officials and special guests went on a ship tour after the ceremony to familiarize themselves with the different amenities onboard the luxury cruise liner. The market has reacted overwhelmingly to the Xiamen-based itineraries since the launch. Other than the 11 October cruise, SuperStar Gemini is also offering a 7D6N cruise sailing from Xiamen on 14 October to Boracay and Manila and a 6D5N cruise from Xiamen to Penghu, Keelung, Taichung, and Kaohsiung departing on 20 October. To get a glimpse of what cruise holiday is all about, try an additional Xiamen/Hong Kong 1- night itinerary departing on 25 October for just RMB580. It is perfect for a weekend cruising/shopping getaway. On Star Cruises, every journey is a voyage of discovery and surprise. 2 Genting Hong Kong Limited (Continued into Bermuda with limited liability – Registration No.29337) (formerly known as Star Cruises Limited) Star Cruises’ SuperStar Gemini takes passengers to Keelung, Penghu, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Hong Kong, Boracay and Manila with its four Xiamen-based itineraries. Xiamen Municipal Government Vice Mayor Kang Tao (second to left), Fujian Provincial Tourism Bureau Deputy Director Zheng Weirong (third to left), Taiwan Strait Shipping Association Vice Chairman Chi Wen Chung (third to right), Kaohsiung City Government Director of Tourism Bureau Hsu Chuan-Sheng (second to right), Taiwan International Ports 3 Genting Hong Kong Limited (Continued into Bermuda with limited liability – Registration No.29337) (formerly known as Star Cruises Limited) Corporation Chairman Hsiao Ding-hsun (first to right) and SuperStar Gemini Captain Jukka Silvennoinen (first to left) officiated the inaugural ceremony. # # # # # About Genting Hong Kong Limited (“Genting Hong Kong”) Genting Hong Kong Limited is a leading global leisure, entertainment and hospitality corporation. A primary business activity of the company is cruise and cruise related operations under the brands of Star Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. Star Cruises, together with Norwegian Cruise Line, is the third largest cruise operator in the world that owns a combined fleet of 19 ships visiting over 200 destinations in the world, offering approximately 39,000 lower berths. Genting Hong Kong’s first foray in a land-based attraction, Resorts World Manila, opened its doors to the public in August 2009. Resorts World Manila is one of the premier leisure brands under the Genting Group and the Philippines’ first one-stop, nonstop vacation spot for topnotch entertainment and world- class leisure alternatives, featuring 3 hotels including a six star all-suite Maxims Hotel, an iconic shopping mall, 4 high-end cinemas and a multi-purpose performing arts theatre. For more information, please visit Genting Hong Kong website http://www.gentinghk.com. 4.