Genting Hong Kong has filed to wind up its company as it warned investors cash would run out by the end of January, as the company said it had exhausted all efforts for fundraising.
Genting said it had “exhausted all reasonable efforts to negotiate with the relevant counterparties under its financing arrangements.” in a filing on Wednesday.
Genting did stress that certain operations would continue, including Dream Cruises, as it aims to “preserve and protect the core assets and maintain the value of the Group; however, it is anticipated that the majority of the Group’s existing operations will cease to operate.”
Dream Cruises’ recently announced restart of cruises on board the Genting Dream in Hong Kong has been met with an enthusiastic response from the public, the cruise line said in a press release.
After just one week of sales since bookings officially opened on May 27, Genting Dream’s first two high seas “Super Summer Seacation” cruises departing on July 30 and Aug. 1 are close to 90 per cent while Friday night departures throughout August are at nearly 50 per cent capacity.
“We are truly grateful for the tremendous response we have received from the people of Hong Kong and we are delighted to be able to offer them a ‘Super Summer Seacation’ experience to help satisfy their craving to travel again. 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.”
“Wing On Travel is excited to work with Dream Cruises to promote the restart of cruises on board the Genting Dream and have already received calls and inquiries, showing a positive response from the market,” said Lanny Leung, director & CEO of Wing On Travel. “The Genting Dream’s fantastic array of activities and facilities including live shows and music performances, Rope Course, Rock Climbing Wall and Waterslide Park will provide fun for the whole family!”
“Since the announcement of Dream Cruises’ operations, our corporate and business clients have been very interested in booking MICE itineraries onboard the Genting Dream. As well, our loyal long-haul and overseas cruise passengers who have been yearning to cruise again now have a product that will fulfil their desire to vacation on the open seas,” said Alex Lee, general manager at Miramar Travel. “Our hope is that this will help stimulate the hard-hit tourism economy and bring much-needed bookings back to travel agents who have been affected by COVID-19.”
Set to begin sailing from July 30, the Genting Dream will embark on two and three-night “Super Summer Seacations” on the high seas in time for the summer holidays in Hong Kong. The “Super Summer Seacations” will comprise of a two-night “Super Weekend Seacation”, departing Fridays, a two-night “Super Weekday Seacation” departing Wednesdays, and a three-night “Super Summer Seacation” departing Sundays.
Early bird promotional rates start at only HK1188 per person based on twin occupancy in a balcony stateroom for a two-night “Super Weekday Seacation” departing on Wednesdays. This rate will be available until mid-June.
Genting Cruise Lines has announced a new comprehensive onboard health plan for its Star Cruises and Dream Cruises brands.
“At Genting Cruise Lines, the safety and health of our guests and crew are of paramount importance to us,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines. “As a responsible cruise company, it is our duty to adopt a pro-active approach to meet and also strive to exceed the growing expectations and concerns of the public. As such, we have carefully reviewed our prevention and response plan with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind to devise and provide enhanced and comprehensive measures across our fleet.
“We have taken the positive opportunity during this hiatus period to also implement comprehensive crew training to reinforce effective cleaning procedures, health and hygiene protocols and efficient guest interaction, which we will adopt as the new safety norm for our fleet and we hope for the industry too.
“The public will be pleased to know for instance, that all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100 per cent external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as onboard public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessels. Besides that, isolated wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.”
Genting Cruise Lines will also further collaborate with the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) to contribute to the publishing of a white paper for the cruise industry’s prevention and response plan against COVID-19, providing a comprehensive and unified standard for the cruise industry to ensure the safety and well-being of all cruising guests and crew, the company said.
A further vote of confidence was also provided by the Asia Cruise Terminal Association (ACTA). In endorsing the measures, Chairman of the ACTA, Singapore Cruise Centre said: “ACTA and all its members endorse Genting Cruise Lines’ initiative and pledge to support these procedures throughout its member ports located across the region including in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Preventative Measures:
I. Embarkation and Disembarkation
Mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for all guests.
Infrared fever screening system at the ship gangway.
The higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection at the ship gangway and passenger walkways.
Stringent checks for all embarking individuals including crew travel documents; guests aged 70 years and above to provide a doctor’s certificate of fitness for travel.
Online check-in for guests to receive designated arrival time at the cruise terminal to minimize crowd congestion.
Additional waiting areas for cruise boarding & disembarkation (with staggered times).
Compliance with all local port and health authorities’ regulations.
II. Guest accommodations
The higher frequency with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guest cabins with hospital-grade disinfectants, including:
Twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins.
Fogging of vacant guest cabins.
Twice daily wipe-down and fogging of guest cabin alleys.
Clean and disinfect guest bathrooms with heavy-duty alkaline bathroom cleaner and disinfectant.
Timely removal of food items from cabins to prevent spoilage and cultivation of microorganisms and bacteria.
Timely housekeeping cabin turnover; bed sheets and linens professionally cleaned and disinfected at high temperatures
Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and to prevent bacterial growth.
In case of sickness, thorough cleaning and disinfection with hospital grade disinfectant or steam sterilization.
III. Common Public Areas
All public areas onboard will undergo a two-tier sanitization process with a thorough cleansing, fogging and wiping using a hospital-grade disinfectant. Onboard venues and cleaning. .Frequency:
Elevators: Every 2 hours
Public areas and facilities: 2 – 10 times daily
Spa and amenities: Min 2 times daily
Other Public Areas: To adjust disinfection frequency accordingly
Common public areas sanitized from 1-4 times daily and frequent touchpoints (handrails, lift buttons, table-tops, door handles etc.) sterilized every hour or less.
Frequent usage of heavy-duty neutral PH floor-cleaning agent to disinfect all floor areas of the ship.
Sanitizer dispensers are available at various public areas and crew members stationed at key onboard venues to provide hand sanitation.
IV. Food Hygiene Practices & Standards
F&B restaurants/bar areas, including galleys, will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times daily, during and after service.
Guests are encouraged to wash hands before entry and use sanitizer dispensers available at F&B outlet entrances/exits.
Guest seating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request.
Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves.
Culinary use of wild animals and related products are strictly prohibited.
Stringent procurement guidelines will be enforced and product sourcing from highly affected regions will be strictly prohibited.
V. Entertainment and Recreational Activities
Theatres will be sanitized before and after each show; 3D glasses disinfected before and after guest usage (if applicable).
Cleaning and disinfection of all toys, games and Kids’ Club facilities twice daily and/or after every use.
All duty-free shops and entertainment venues will be disinfected twice daily before and after service.
All recreational equipment will be disinfected every 2 hours before guest usage.
Guests capacity will be limited to half the venue capacity to provide ample space between guests.
Sanitizer dispensers will be readily available at various venues including entertainment venue entrances/exits.
Tour coaches will be limited to half capacity & sanitized frequently; training for tour operators based on guidance from the WHO.
Spa & Gym facilities will be sanitized prior to and after usage by guests.
VI. Fresh Air Ventilation Systems
100% external fresh air is filtered and supplied to cabins and onboard public areas.
Air filters and cooling coils thoroughly checked, cleaned and replaced to ensure healthy air quality.
VII. Medical Centre
Isolated wards available in the Medical Centre
Contaminated items and medical waste will be properly sealed and disposed of according to health and safety guidelines.
Used face masks and protective equipment disposed at designated central collection points.
Medical equipment and waste bins cleaned, disinfected and washed twice daily with hospital-grade disinfectant.
VIII. Crew Members Practices & Standards
Twice daily temperature checks.
All Frontline crew are required to wear face masks.
Housekeeping and F&B crew required to wear disposable gloves.
The designated crew may also wear protective garments and eye protection if required.
All crew to use anti-bacterial hand soap for at least 20 sec to sanitize hands.
Medical Centre Isolation Area staff related to suspected cases are required to:
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