The first international cruise line to resume sailings, Dream Cruises restarted operations of MS Explorer Dream on July 26, 2020, in Taiwan with island-hopping itineraries from Keelung to Penghu, Matsu, Kinmen, Hualien.
With 22 voyages successfully completed in the past 2 months, 25,000+ passengers treated themselves to vacation at sea with Dream Cruises. The company has now launched new “Discover Taiwan” voyages onboard Explorer Dream, with 1-5-night itineraries out of Keelung to Anping Tainan, Penghu, Kaohsiung, Hualien, and sightseeing sailings to view the “Milky Sea” surrounding Guishan Island in Yilan and Keelung Islet.
The “Discover Taiwan” voyages aboard Explorer Dream include a 5-night itinerary from Keelung to the four scenic destinations of Anping Tainan, Penghu, Kaohsiung, Hualien, allowing guests to visit iconic destinations on the main island and outlying islands. The voyage is also an opportunity to enjoy Penghu Bay International Light Festival from an unobstructed vantage point at sea.
Those who prefer shorter cruises can benefit from 3- and 4-night trips to Penghu, Kaohsiung, Hualien, or 2-night sailings to Anping in Tainan, where the cruise ship terminal is to be transformed into a traditional market featuring specialty souvenirs and local delicacies.
Highlights of the “Discover Taiwan” itineraries also include a one-night trip around Keelung Islet and Guishan Island, popular for its “Milk Sea”, a phenomenon caused by the combination of seawater and a saltwater hot spring; and a 2-night sightseeing voyage to Ishigaki Island.
In collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization, the cruise line hosts a series of Korean-themed festivities on Explorer Dream from September 30 through October 6, beginning with Chuseok Korean harvest festival experience with Korean delicacies, music, and dance on the mid-autumn festival trip, which also features traditional Chinese mid-autumn festival customs like mooncake making and lantern riddles workshops.
Passengers who sail on the inter-island cruise aboard Explorer Dream to Anping, Tainan departing October 9 can celebrate the Double Ten Day long weekend via a fireworks display in the skies above Yuguang Island on October 10.
Oktoberfest festivities take place on October 7-8, where passengers can enjoy traditional Bavarian music and dance, delicacies like pork knuckle and bratwurst, as well as interactive activities such as the giant beer pong and beer-drinking contests.
To celebrate Spain's National Day in mid-October, passengers can experience Sangria and flamenco dance tutorials, as well as traditional Tapas, the famous bite-sized morsels of Spanish delicacies. Vacationers can also join Explorer Dream’s Flamenco Night and indulge in traditional Spanish music, cuisine, and professional flamenco dance performances.
October festivities wrap up with a Halloween party on October 30-31, where passengers are in for spooky “monstrous” surprises, and kids can get ready for complimentary face painting and trick-or-treating at sea. Diwali celebrations are due to take place on November 13-14, where travelers can learn traditional dances and enjoy interactive workshops on Mehndi Hand Coloring and paper lantern making.