Resorts World One

The 1999-built Resorts World One cruise ship was launched as "SuperStar Virgo" (for Star Cruises) and operated under the name "Explorer Dream" (for Dream Cruises) in the period 2019-2022. Both companies (Star Cruises and Dream Cruises) were fully owned by the Malaysian corporation Genting Group.

Explorer Dream's fleetmates were the newbuild premium passenger liners Genting Dream (2016) and World Dream/now Aroya Manara (2017). The sistership SuperStar Leo/now Norwegian Spirit is owned by NCL.

Since February 2023, Resorts World One is operated under charter by Resorts World Cruises (new travel brand/May 2022-established) owned by GHK's former owner Lim Kok Thai.

The vessel (IMO number 9141077) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 311000165) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

Genting Cruises was one of the world's largest cruise companies and the biggest (by fleet/passenger capacity) on the Asia-Pacific market. The company was listed on the Singapore Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Star Cruises was established as an associate of Genting Group of Malaysia, incorporated on November 10, 1993, in Bermuda (corporate headquarters in Hong Kong). The first ships were two cruiseferries bought from the bankrupt Swedish company Rederi AB Slite. Star Cruises purchased several other second-hand vessels in the following years. In 1998, the company acquired its first newbuild - SuperStar Leo (now Norwegian Spirit for NCL). The sistership SuperStar Virgo (Explorer Dream) followed in 1999.

The 2800-passenger ship Explorer Dream was constructed in Germany by Meyer Werft (Papenburg Shipyard) and delivered to Star Cruises on August 2, 1999. In March-April 2019, the boat was drydocked in Singapore for a complete redesign and refurbishment, then transferred from Star Cruises to Dream Cruises.

Decks and Cabins

Explorer Dream/Resorts World One staterooms (928 total) are in 4 main types - Interior, Oceanview (with either Picture Window or Porthole Window/both non-opening), Balcony staterooms (with step-out private verandas), and Suites (in categories Palace Suite, Palace Deluxe Suite, Palace Penthouse, Palace Villa).

The Palace complex is an exclusive "ship-within-a-ship" boutique shopping enclave spreading the aft sections of decks 9-10-11. The Palace houses a total of 46 ultra-premium accommodations (with chic Italian decor) and exclusive VIP facilities like a sundeck (with a large swimming pool/ aft on Deck 10), a dining venue (Palace Restaurant, serving signature European and Asian gourmet cuisine specialties) and a bar lounge (Genting Club). The Palace Reception (an exclusive service desk) and the dedicated Dream Butlers team offer unparalleled expertise and the highest level of hospitality.

The boat has 13 decks, of which 10 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The onboard cruising experience is "freestyle" which means passengers have the choice to dine when, where and with whom they choose. All Main Dining Room meals are complimentary.

Follows the complete list of the ship's restaurants and food bars.

• Pavilion Restaurant (complimentary restaurant)
• Dream Dining Room is a complimentary restaurant with wall-to-wall/floor-to-ceiling windows and fitted with predominantly 6-seat round tables.
• Seafood Grill by Mark Best is a specialty restaurant serving premium meats and fresh seafood dishes from a menu created by the Australian chef Mark Best. Seafood Grill also has an extensive beverage menu.
• Palace Restaurant (only available to The Palace guests)
• Silk Road offers traditional dim sum along with Cantonese cuisine
• "Mozzarella Ristorante e Pizzeria" features a modern fusion of classic Italian pizzas and dishes with a Japanese twist
• "Umi Uma Sushi and Teppanyaki" (Japanese Restaurant)
• Hot Pot is a noodle bar offering traditional Chinese cuisine and beverages, including a selection of traditional soups.
• The Lido and Lido Grill
• Bread Box (shop), Candy Kingdom (candy store), Gelateria (Italian ice-cream shop)
• The Little Cake Cafe (patisserie) offers artisanal chocolates and decadent cakes.
• Matcha Ice offers signature Asian desserts (including from Japan and China)

In late-July 2020, Dream Cruises debuted (on MS Explorer Dream) the "Flexi-Feast" - a completely customized shipboard dining (food and beverage) concept that allows passengers to choose from more venues. Upon boarding the ship, cruisers receive a set of complimentary dining vouchers which can be used at designated restaurants, as well as OBC (onboard credits) for ordering meals at specialty restaurants, beverages at bars and also for room-service orders.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The peacock-inspired Zodiac Theatre offers Broadway-style live shows. The ship also boasts with the ESC Experience Club for Virtual Reality games and the Action Zone for conventional gaming. Guests can indulge in a variety of spa treatments at the onboard Crystal Life Spa. Those who prefer to stay active can head to the gym, jogging track, or Sportsplex. The Parthenon Pool deck houses the waterslide Caesar's Slide. The Little Dreamers Club is where kids can enjoy workshops, costume parties, games, and a DJ booth.

Follows the complete list of the ship's lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues (for adults and children).

• Zodiac Theatre hosts Broadway-style live production shows
• Observation Deck
• Captain's Observation Lounge - via the educational gallery, guests can Play Captain for a day
• Function 8 is a meeting room for group events or conferences
• The Dream Boutiques
• Genting Club
• Palm Court is a forward/bow-facing observatory lounge with slanted windows (providing 270-degree ocean views), a large dance floor, premium plush seating (armchairs and low tables).
• Humidor Cigar Lounge
• The Zone is a multipurpose lounge with game consoles (an Action Zone for conventional gaming)
• Photo Corner
• SPA (with a reflexology lounge, private treatment rooms, and saunas), Beauty Sanon, and Gym
• ESC Experience Lab is a gaming venue dedicated to VR/Virtual Reality and AR/Augmented Reality games.
• Parthenon Pool is the ship's main swimming pool flanked by two jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs. Parthenon Pool deck has a stage (for live band music performances), a large LED screen and also houses the Caesar's Slide (waterslide).
• A stage for live bands and an LED screen
• ViewPoint
• International Room
• Premium Room
• Resorts World at Sea
• Mahjong Lounge
• Blue Lagoon
• Grand Piazza with Reception, Dream Elite Member Information Centre, Shore Excursions/Future Cruise Sales/Box Office, and Meetings/Future Cruise Sales
• Lobby Cafe
• Casino
• Boardwalk
• Little Dreamers Club is a children's venue for workshops, games, and costume parties and has a DJ booth.
• Sun Deck with a Sun Deck Bar
• Jogging Track

The aft-located SportsPlex doubles as Helideck (has a helipad/helicopter-landing platform used in cases of emergency).

In January 2021, Dream Cruises introduced with Explorer Dream the company's culinary program "Taste the Dream - Wine and Dine at Sea". The new program (European cuisine-themed) debuted in Taiwan and features traditional food specialties from England, Iberia, Italy and Central France. The program's signature menu was developed by Chef Reinhard Mammes (Dream Cruises' Executive Chef).

(Resorts World Cruises) Resorts World One itineraries

MS Resorts World One started operations for Resorts World Cruises with the Maiden Voyage departing Hong Kong on March 10, 2023. A special celebration (held onboard on March 10th) was attended by 400+ VIP guests including media, the company's local partners (travel and business), and chief managers (President Michael Goh, and COO Raymond Lim). The event featured a live performance by HKCO-Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.

Resorts World One's itinerary program is based on short breaks from homeport Hong Kong (2-night and 3-night roundtrips) offering three voyages weekly with departures on Fridays, Sundays, and Wednesdays.

After Taiwan lifted travel restrictions on Hong Kong/Macau residents in February 2023, on April 2nd the ship started dual homeporting adding roundtrips from Kaohsiung Taiwan.

The 3-night/4-day voyages depart on Sundays while the 2-night/3-day voyages depart on Wednesdays. The 2-night/3-day "Weekend High Seas" cruises-to-nowhere (roundtrips without call ports) depart on Fridays. Additionally, tourists embarking in Hong Kong on Sundays can debark in Kaohsiung on Mondays (for a 3-4-day stay) and re-embark on the ship on Thursdays to arrive back in Hong Kong on Fridays.

Resorts World One cruises from China to Taiwan (one-way Hong Kong to Kaohsiung) in 2023 were priced from HKD 1300 (USD 165/EUR 155) per person with double occupancy, while the 3rd/4th passengers paid HKD 650 (USD 83/EUR 78) pp. Resorts World's "Early Bird" promotion offered discount pricing (HK$300/US$38) for each of the twin-sharing passengers, with an additional HK$150/US$19) off for each of the 3rd/4th passengers. The promo was valid for bookings made before the end of March and for departures in April-May (2023) excluding only voyages starting between and including April 5th-15th.

With 2 weekly sailings to Kaohsiung from Hong Kong, the ship's 2023 schedule included a total of 78 calls to Kaohsiung. With 3 weekly sailings from Hong Kong, Resorts World's 2023 schedule listed a total of 126 port visits.

In 2023 was also added Magong/Penghu Islands (the first visiting voyage departed on April 11th). The 3-night/4-day itineraries (departing roundtrip from Kaohsiung on Mondays) visit Penghu on Tuesdays and Hong Kong on Wednesdays, prior to returning to Kaohsiung on Thursdays. Fares started from NT$6900/US$226 pp with double occupancy, with the 3rd/4th guests paying NT$3500/US$115 pp.

As a one-way Taiwan-China cruise option, tourists leaving from Kaohsiung (on Thursday) can debark in Hong Kong (on Friday) and book a 2-night hotel stay (in Hong Kong) prior to re-boarding the liner on Sunday and returning to Kaohsiung on Monday.

In winter 2023-2024 (starting Sept 24th) were introduced itineraries between Hong Kong and Sanya. Out of Hong Kong are offered 3-night/4-day voyages to Sanya (departing Sundays), 2-night/3-day voyages to Sanya (departing Wednesdays) and 2-night/3-day Weekend Getaways (departing Fridays). Resorts World One's packages included 5-night/6-day "Hainan Cruise & Land-Stay" (Sunday to Friday, inclusive of 3-night hotel in Sanya) and 6-night/7-day "Hainan Cruise & Land-Stay" (Wednesday to Wednesday, inclusive of 4-night hotel in Sanya). Resorts World Cruises also introduced homeporting in Sanya (as departure port) for guests willing to combine the voyage with domestic flights. Fares started at HK$1200 (US$154) per person with double occupancy.

In October 2023 were introduced three 5-night itineraries (Hong Kong roundtrips) visiting either Vietnam (Nha Trang and Da Nang/Hue), the Philippines (Caticlan/Boracay Island and Manila) or Japan's Okinawa (Naha, Hirara/Miyakojima Island, and Sakishima/ishigakijima Island, visiting attractions like Cape Manzamo, Mihama American Village, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Okinawa World & Gyokusendo Cave, Kabira Bay, Shigira Ougon Onsen hot spring).

In summer 2024 (June 16th through July 1st) the ship was homeported in Tanjung Priok Port (Jakarta, Java Indonesia). The schedule listed 6-night/7-day roundtrip itineraries visiting Singapore and Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). Prices started from IDR 10 million (~USD 640) per person based on double occupancy, with 3rd and 4th passengers in the same stateroom traveling for free.

In May 2024 was announced an expansion of global operations with a deployment in the Arabian Gulf/Oman (based on a 6-month homeporting season in Dubai UAE) in winter 2024-2025. Starting October 18th (2024), Resorts World One operates roundtrips from Dubai all visiting Sir Bani Yas Island (on Fridays). The 3-night itineraries (departures on Sundays) visit Oman's Khasab and Muscat. The 2-night itineraries visit Doha Qatar (departures on Wednesdays).

(GHK DREAM CRUISES) Explorer Dream itineraries

Starting operations for Dream Cruises in April 2019, MS Explorer Dream was homeported in Shanghai and Tianjin during summer. For winter season 2019-2020, the liner was deployed in Australia and New Zealand with homeporting in Sydney NSW and Auckland NZ. The program included 21x 7-day itineraries.

• 6x 7-day "Queensland and the Barrier Reef" itineraries (starting October 27, 2019) visit Mooloolaba, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gladstone.
• 8x 7-day "Tasmania Island and Melbourne" itineraries (starting February 9, 2020) visit Port Arthur, Burnie, Hobart, Melbourne, Phillip Island, Eden.
• 7x 7-day "North and South New Zealand" itineraries (starting mid-December) visit Wellington, Dunedin, Milford-Doubtful sounds, Napier, Bay of Islands, Picton, Akaroa, Gisborne.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2020 (March-June) Explorer Dream resumed voyages on July 26st, with a new (2-night and 3-night) short breaks from homeport Keelung/Taipei (Taiwan). The new itinerary visited Taiwan's Peng Hu Island (Magong), Matzu Island, Kinmen island and Hualien.

In late-September 2020, Dream Cruises launched Explorer Dream's new "Discover Taiwan" itinerary program with short breaks (1-2-3-4-5-night roundtrips out of Keelung) visiting Anping Tainan, Magong/Penghu, Kaohsiung, Hualien, plus scenic cruising around Guishan Island (Yilan) and Keelung Islet. Shorter (3-4-night) roundtrips visited Penghu, Kaohsiung, Hualien. The 2-night roundtrips visited only Anping (Tainan). Explorer Dream's "Discover Taiwan" also offered 1-night cruises (around Keelung Islet and Guishan Island) and a 2-night voyage to Ishigaki Island.