StarCruises
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StarCruises is a cruise line owned by the Malaysian company Resorts World Cruises.
Previously it operated in the Asia-Pacific market and was owned by Genting Hong Kong. It was the 18th largest<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> cruise line in the world after Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruises, and 15 others. The chairman of Star Cruises was Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, the son of Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong, who had founded Malaysia's Genting Highlands.
In 2022 the parent company of Star Cruises, Genting Hong Kong, became bankrupt, and Thay, under the trading name Resorts World, bought the Star Cruises trademarks. 2025, Resorts World Cruises announced that the brand will be reformed as StarCruises.
History
1992–1999: Founding, acquisitions
Star Cruises was founded as an associate of the Genting Group of Malaysia.<ref>Group Profile – Star Cruises Limited Template:Webarchive, retrieved on 27 July 2005</ref> It was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993 with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong.<ref>Star Cruises 2004 Annual Report Template:Webarchive, retrieved on 15 March 2007</ref> The company's first ships were two cruiseferries acquired from the bankrupt Swedish company Rederi AB Slite. In the following years, the company purchased several other ships.
In 1998, Star Cruises took delivery of its first new build, SuperStar Leo, followed by sister ship SuperStar Virgo in 1999. Star Cruises also acquired Sun Cruises the same year.
2000–2012: Norwegian Cruise Line, transfers
In 2000, Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> including its subsidiaries Orient Lines and Norwegian Capricorn Line, thus becoming the largest global cruise line in the world. NCL operations were soon merged into those of Star Cruises. Before the purchase of NCL, Star Cruises had had several other new builds either planned or already under construction, but with the merger of the two companies, most of the new ships joined the NCL fleet instead.
In 2001, Star Cruises founded a new sister company, Cruise Ferries, which began operating its sole ship, Template:MS, on short cruises from Hong Kong to Xiamen, followed by overnight gambling cruises from Hong Kong and gambling cruises from Port Klang in Kuala Lumpur. (Wasa Queen was sold in 2007.)
In 2004, SuperStar Leo was transferred to NCL.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ship then became Norwegian Spirit.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was rushed into service under the NCL America brand because Template:Ship was not ready on time due to sinking at Lloyd Werft shipyard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Since 2006, the trend was for new ships to be built for NCL, after which old ships in the NCL fleet were transferred to the Star Cruises fleet in Asia.)
In 2007, Star sold 50% of NCL to the Apollo Management group.<ref name="TravelWeekly" /> In 2013, following a corporate reorganization and an initial public offering, NCL was made a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. On 3 December 2018, Star and Apollo sold off their remaining stakes in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, marking the end of a relationship that had lasted more than a decade.<ref name="TravelWeekly">Template:Cite web</ref>
In early 2008, both NCL America and Orient Lines brands were discontinued, with the latter's sole ship, Template:MS, sold to Greek interests. Also in that year, the first ship from NCL was transferred to the Star Cruises fleet as Template:Ship.
Starting from 2011, Star Cruises' ships received new hull art. One year later, it was announced on 27 April 2012 that Template:MS would join the Star fleet, renamed as SuperStar Gemini, with service starting in 2012.<ref>Norwegian Dream Set to Sail for Star – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News. Cruise Industry News (27 April 2012).</ref>
2013–2018: New and renamed vessels
On 7 October 2013, Star Cruises announced they had entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft shipyard for the construction of one new cruise ship. The vessel would have capacity for 3,364 passengers at double occupancy.<ref>Star Cruises Orders New Ship from Meyer Werft – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News. Cruise Industry News (7 October 2013).</ref> The ship would be delivered sometime in late 2016. Star Cruises then announced on 10 February 2014 that a second ship was ordered and would be delivered by late 2017. Both ships would have volumes of 150,000 GT.<ref name="cruiseindustrynews1">Star Doubles Order – Second Newbuild Due for 2017 – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News. Cruise Industry News (10 February 2014).</ref>
On 9 February 2015, the first steel cutting ceremony for Genting World was held at Meyer Werft shipyard.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November 2015, it was announced that the vessels under construction would instead be delivered to Dream Cruises, with a new class of ships planned to be designed for Star Cruises.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March 2018, Star Cruises announced that one of its ships, SuperStar Libra, would end her public cruise operations for the company on 27 June 2018.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 8 March 2018, Genting Hong Kong announced that the first global-class build previously allocated to Star Cruises would join the Dream Cruises fleet instead.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 11 September 2018, Genting Hong Kong also announced that SuperStar Virgo would move to Dream Cruises in April 2019 and be renamed the Explorer Dream.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2018, SuperStar Gemini returned to Malaysia for a six-month deployment.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2022: Bankruptcy
In January 2022, the parent company of Star Cruises, Genting Hong Kong, declared bankruptcy due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In April, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Aquarius, and Star Pisces were all sold for scrap. Their smaller sister ship, The Taipan, was sold to OM Ships International in May 2022 and renamed Doulos Hope. Operation Mobilisation (OM) affiliate Gute Bücher für Alle accepted the ship in Penang, Malaysia on 25 May and completed her sea trial on 20 July. She then sailed to Singapore to continue a refurbishment which should have conclude by the end of 2023.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In September 2022, Thay, under the buyer name Resorts World, bought the trademarks for Star Cruises for around $3.5 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2025: Revival as StarCruises
On 25 February 2025, Resorts World Cruises from Malaysia announced that the brand would split its operations, reforming Dream Cruises and Star Cruises as StarCruises. Genting Dream is set to rejoin Dream Cruises, while Resorts World One will be rebranded into Star Navigator and will sail along side the Star Voyager.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Fleet
Current fleet
| Ships that will sail under the reformed StarCruises | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | In service for StarCruises | Built | Gross Tonnage (GT) | Status as of {{#time:Y}} | Image |
| Template:MS | 2025 | 1997 | 77,441 | Previously Pacific Explorer for P&O Cruises Australia
Acquired by StarCruises in 2025<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> |
File:Pacific Explorer, Sydney Harbour, 2017 (05).jpg |
| Star Navigator | 2025 | 1999 | 75,338 | Star Cruises second new build.
Transferred to Dream Cruises as Explorer Dream in April 2019. Transferred to Resorts World Cruises as Resorts World One in 2023. Transferred to StarCruises in 2025<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
File:Resorts World One, Sizihwan 2023-06-05 (cropped).jpg |
Former fleet
| Ships that sailed as part of Star Cruises | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ship | In service for Star Cruises | Built | Gross Tonnage (GT) | Status as of {{#time:Y}} | Image |
| Star Aquarius | 1993–2001 | 1988 | 40,012 | Now Pearl Seaways for DFDS. | File:Pearls Seaways Copenhagen June 2014 (3).JPG |
| Star Pisces | 1994–2022 | 1990 | 40,012 | Previously Kalypso; scrapped at Alang in 2022.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> | File:Star Pisces at Ocean Terminal, Hong Kong, from ferry pier 2.jpg |
| MegaStar Taurus | 1994–2015 | 1989 | 3,341 | Now National Geographic Islander II<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | File:Crystal Esprit.jpg |
| The Taipan | Template:SortDate – May 2022<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> | 1991<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 3,370 | Entered service for Star Cruises as MegaStar Aries (1994–2012), then renamed Genting World (2012–2013) and The Taipan (2013–2022). Transferred to Operation Mobilisation as Doulos Hope in May 2022. Now serving as a floating library owned by the German faith-based German charity Gute Bücher für Alle.<ref name=":12">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | File:Megastar Aries at Singapore (little and large) (cropped).jpg |
| SuperStar Gemini | 1995–2009 | 1992 | 19,093 | Now Gemini for Miray Cruises. | File:Superstar Virgo and Superstar Gemini.jpg |
| SuperStar Capricorn | 1997–1998 2001–2004 |
1973 | 21,891 | Scrapped at Aliağa, Turkey in 2021. | File:Boudicca - IMO 7218395 - Callsign C6VA3.JPG |
| SuperStar Europe SuperStar Aries |
1999–2000 2000–2004 |
1980 | 37,301 | Now Blue Sapphire for ANEX Tour. | File:Europa IMO 7822457 P Bergen 07-1985 (1).jpg |
| SuperStar Sagittarius | 1998 | 1972 | 16,607 | Previously Oriental Dragon. Scrapped at Gadani in 2022. |
|
| SuperStar Leo | 1998–2004 | 1998 | 75,338 | Star Cruises first newly built. Now Norwegian Spirit for Norwegian Cruise Line. | |
| SuperStar Virgo | 1999–2019 | 1999 | 75,338 | Star Cruises second newly built Transfer to Dream Cruises as Explorer Dream in April 2019. | File:SuperStar Virgo. Hong Kong. (39959952565).jpg |
| MegaStar Capricorn | 2000–2001 | 1991 | 4,280 | Now Caledonian Sky for Noble Caledonia. | File:Dubai Drydocking.jpg |
| MegaStar Sagittarius | 2000–2001 | 1991 | 4,200 | Now Sea Spirit for Poseidon Expeditions. | N/A |
| Norwegian Star 1 | 2001–2002 | 1973 | 4,200 | Previously Albatros for Phonix Reisen; sold for scrap in 2021 | File:MS Norwegian Star (4163364643) (cropped).jpg |
| SuperStar Taurus | 2000–2001 | 1980 | 15,179 | Previously Celestyal Crystal for Celestyal Cruises: sold for scrap in 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | File:Silja Opera Turun Korjaustelakalla.jpg |
| SuperStar Libra | 2005–2018 | 1988 | 42,275 | Previously Norwegian Sea; scrapped at Aliağa in 2022 | |
| SuperStar Aquarius | 2007–2022 | 1993 | 51,309 | Previously Norwegian Wind; sold for scrap in 2022<ref name=":1" /> | File:SuperStar Aquarius at Phoenix Island, Sanya Bay - 02.jpg |
| SuperStar Gemini | 2012–2022 | 1992 | 50,764 | Previously Norwegian Dream; sold for scrap in 2022<ref name=":1" /> | File:Star Cruises SuperStar Gemini on August 22, 2014.jpg |
Cancelled ships
Ships that were ordered for Star Cruises but transferred before completion or never built:
| Ship | Built | Year ship would enter Star Cruises services | Gross Tonnage | Status as of {{#time:Y}} | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperStar Libra | 2001 | 2001 | 91,740 | Transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line before completion as Norwegian Star | File:Norwegian Star Kauai 2002.jpg |
| SuperStar Scorpio | 2002 | 2002 | 92,250 | Transferred to Norwegian Cruise Line before completion as tNorwegian Dawn | File:Norwegian Dawn au port de Klaipėda (aout 2022).jpg |
| N.N. | 2003<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 112,000 | Never built; Sagittarius class | ||
| N.N. | 2005 | 112,000 | Never built; Sagittarius class | ||
| Genting World<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2016 | 150,695 | Transferred to Dream Cruises before completion as Genting Dream | File:Genting Dream at Marina Bay Cruise Centre.jpg | |
| N.N. | 2017 | 150,695 | Transferred to Dream Cruises before completion as World Dream | File:World Dream.jpg | |
| N.N.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | 2019 | 208,000 | Transferred to Dream Cruises before completion as Global Dream; acquired by the Disney Cruise Line as of November 2022 while still under construction with the new name Template:Ship | File:Global Dream under construction at MV Werften Warnemünde I.jpg | |
| N.N. | Scrapped | 208,000 | Transferred to Dream Cruises before completion. Second ship of the Global class. Incomplete lower hull scrapped <ref name="dreamend">Template:Cite news</ref> | ||
References
External links
- Pages with broken file links
- Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
- Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange
- 1993 establishments in Hong Kong
- 2022 disestablishments in Hong Kong
- Cruise lines
- Genting Hong Kong
- Transport companies established in 1993
- Transport companies disestablished in 2022
- Malaysian brands