Hong Kong-based cruise operator Genting Cruise Lines is spending more money on the refurbishment of Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream to incorporate the installation of scrubber systems, the company said on Wednesday.
The transformation that would incorporate new facilities and services had previously been estimated at USD 30 million but eventually rose to USD 56 million. The company confirmed that the cost increase was in part due to the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems.
The newest Dream Cruises ship is close to completing the overhaul ahead of the spring/summer 2019 season.
Formerly known as the SuperStar Virgo of sister brand Star Cruises, the 1,870-passenger ship is expected to be launched later this month, Genting Cruise Lines confirmed.
Genting Cruise Lines has also revealed a new hull artwork for the ship, created by New York-based, Chinese artist, Kuri Huang.
“Huang’s artistic style aptly embodies Dream Cruises’ brand essence with its imaginative depiction of mythic creatures on a quest to explore new horizons across the seas,” said Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises.
The 75,338- gross-ton Explorer Dream will strengthen the Dream Cruises’ brand in North China with homeports in Shanghai and Tianjin during spring/summer 2019 with a selection of voyages of various durations from Shanghai or Tianjin to Japan.