StarCruises
{{Short description|Cruise line}}
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}{{infobox company
| name = StarCruises
| logo = File:Star cruises logo.svg
| caption =
| type = Subsidiary
| genre =
| fate = Revived as StarCruises
| predecessor =
| successor = StarCruises
| foundation = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1993|11|10}}
| founder = Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay
| defunct = {{End date and age|2022|4}}
| location_city =
| location_country =
| location = Malaysia, Asia
| locations =
| area_served = Asia Pacific
| key_people = Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, CEO & Founder
| industry = Passenger transportation & Cruises
| products = Cruises
| services =
| revenue =
| operating_income =
| net_income =
| aum =
| assets =
| equity =
| owner = Resorts World Cruises
| num_employees =
| divisions =
| subsid =
| homepage = [http://www.starcruises.com/ StarCruises.com]
| footnotes =
| intl =
}}
File:Ocean Liner "Super Star Leo" - Sydney Harbour (5106366854).jpg
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{{cite web |url=http://www.cruisemarketwatch.com/blog1/market-share/|title=2012 World Wide Market Share|date=20 November 2011 |publisher=Cruise Market Watch}} 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.[http://www.genting.com/groupprofile/index.htm Group Profile – Star Cruises Limited] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121206002714/http://www.genting.com/groupprofile/index.htm |date=6 December 2012 }}, retrieved on 27 July 2005 It was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993 with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong.[http://www.starcruises.com/Investor/Releases/2004/Ar/ar2004.pdf Star Cruises 2004 Annual Report] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204082704/http://www.starcruises.com/Investor/Releases/2004/Ar/ar2004.pdf |date=4 February 2012 }}, retrieved on 15 March 2007 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),{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/14216-star-cruises-acquires-norwegian-cruise-line.html|title=Star Cruises Acquires Norwegian Cruise Line|last=Alex|date=20 December 2000|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=30 October 2019}} 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, Wasa Queen, 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.{{Cite web |title=NCL: SuperStar Leo's in, the Norway's out: Travel Weekly |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/NCL--SuperStar-Leo-s-in,-the-Norway-s-out |access-date=15 April 2020 |website=www.travelweekly.com |language=en}} The ship then became Norwegian Spirit.{{Cite web |title=Solar Solve Wins Large Order From Norwegian Cruise Lines |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/corporate/solar-solve-wins-large-order-from-norwegian-cruise-lines |access-date=15 April 2020 |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en}} It was rushed into service under the NCL America brand because the Pride of America wasn't ready on time due to sinking at Lloyd Werft shipyard.{{Cite web |title=Pride of America refloated, moved to drydock: Travel Weekly |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Pride-of-America-refloated,-moved-to-drydock |access-date=15 April 2020 |website=www.travelweekly.com |language=en}} (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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Apollo-and-Star-cash-out-of-NCLH|title=Apollo and Star cash out of Norwegian Cruise Line: Travel Weekly|last=Stieghorst|first=Tom|date=3 December 2018|website=Travel Weekly|access-date=1 January 2019}}
In early 2008, both NCL America and Orient Lines brands were discontinued, with the latter's sole ship, Marco Polo, sold to Greek interests. Also in that year, the first ship from NCL was transferred to the Star Cruises fleet as SuperStar Libra.
Starting from 2011, Star Cruises' ships received new hull art. One year later, it was announced on 27 April 2012 that the Norwegian Dream would join the Star fleet, renamed as SuperStar Gemini, with service starting in 2012.[http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7180-norwegian-dream-set-to-sail-for-star.html Norwegian Dream Set to Sail for Star – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News]. Cruise Industry News (27 April 2012).
= 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.[http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/10001-star-cruises-orders-new-ship-from-meyer-werft.html Star Cruises Orders New Ship from Meyer Werft – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News]. Cruise Industry News (7 October 2013). 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.[http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/10644-star-doubles-order-second-newbuild-due-for-2017.html Star Doubles Order – Second Newbuild Due for 2017 – Cruise Industry News | Cruise News]. Cruise Industry News (10 February 2014).
On 9 February 2015, the first steel cutting ceremony for Genting World was held at Meyer Werft shipyard.{{cite news|url=http://promos.starcruises.com/index.php/star-cruises-commences-building-of-the-genting-world-mega-cruise-ship-with-its-first-steel-cutting/|title=Star Cruises Commences Building of the Genting World Mega Cruise Ship with its First Steel Cutting|date=11 February 2015|website=Star Cruises}} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.cruisetotravel.com/2016/07/31/genting-dream-the-first-asian-luxury-cruise-ship/ | title=Genting Dream, the first Asian luxury cruise ship | publisher=Cruisetotravel | date=31 July 2016 | access-date=14 March 2017}}
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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18630-superstar-libra-to-end-public-cruise-operations.html|title=SuperStar Libra to End Public Cruise Operations|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=2 March 2018|access-date=3 March 2018|language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18677-dream-cruises-to-get-2020-newbuild-sail-globally.html|title=Dream Cruises to Get 2020 Newbuild, Sail Globally|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=8 March 2018|access-date=9 March 2018|language=en-GB}}{{cite web | url=http://www.cruiseandferry.net/articles/genting-to-transfer-global-class-newbuilds-to-dream-cruises-brand | title=Genting to transfer Global Class newbuilds to Dream Cruises brand | publisher=Cruise & Ferry | date=12 March 2018 | access-date=14 March 2018}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/19591-superstar-virgo-to-become-explorer-dream-transfer-to-dream-cruises.html|title=SuperStar Virgo to Become Explorer Dream, Transfer to Dream Cruises|last=Mathisen|first=Monty|date=11 September 2018|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=29 October 2019}} In November 2018, SuperStar Gemini returned to Malaysia for a six-month deployment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/09/25/cruise-ship-returns-to-msia-this-november|title=Cruise ship returns to Malaysia this November|date=25 September 2018|website=The Star Online|language=en|access-date=29 October 2019}}
= 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/how-genting-billionaire-lim-kok-thays-global-cruise-empire-imploded-in-hong-kong|title = How Genting billionaire Lim Kok Thay's global cruise empire imploded in Hong Kong | the Straits Times| newspaper=The Straits Times |date = 23 January 2022}} 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.{{Cite web |title=GBA Ships - This is the official website of GBA Ships which manages and operates MV Logos Hope. |url=https://gbaships.org/en/65-doulos-hope-first-drydock |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=gbaships.org}}
In September 2022, Thay, under the buyer name Resorts World, bought the trademarks for Star Cruises for around $3.5 million.{{cite web | url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28265-star-cruises-trademarks-sold-back-to-resorts-world.html | title=Star Cruises Trademarks Sold Back to Resorts World - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News }}
=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.{{cite web |title=A New Era Begins with the Grand Return of StarCruises and Dream Cruises |url=https://media.rwcruises.com/FIN_20250226_PR_RWC_Transition_to_SC_&_DC_-_Eng.pdf?_gl=1*pwyeyg*_gcl_au*ODM4MjQyNDEwLjE3NDA1NDMxMDE.*_ga*MTgwMTAxMjYwMC4xNzQwNTQzMTAx*_ga_P81Z1NLTRT*MTc0MDU0MzEwMC4xLjEuMTc0MDU0MzEyNS4zNS4wLjEyODM2NzAwNTA.}}
Fleet
= Current fleet =
= Former fleet =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="6" |Ships that sailed as part of Star Cruises | |||||
| Ship || In service for Star Cruises || Built || Gross Tonnage (GT) || Status as of {{#time:Y}} || Image | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langkapuri Star Aquarius | style="text-align:Center;" | 1993–2001 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1988 | style="text-align:Center;" | 40,012 | Now Pearl Seaways for DFDS. | 200px |
| Star Pisces | style="text-align:Center;" | 1994–2022 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1990 | style="text-align:center;" | 40,012 | Previously Kalypso; scrapped in Alang in 2022.{{cite web |title=Weekly Vessel Scrapping Report 2022: Week 17 |url=https://shipandbunker.com/news/features/risk-management/224304-weekly-vessel-scrapping-report-2022-week-17}} | 200px |
| MegaStar Taurus | style="text-align:Center;" | 1994–2015 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1989 | style="text-align:Center;" | 3,341 | Now National Geographic Islander II{{cite web |date=October 27, 2022 |title=Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Officially Names Newest Vessel, National Geographic Islander II |url=https://world.expeditions.com/about/press-room/lindblad-expeditions-national-geographic-officially-names-newest-vessel-national-geographic-islander-ii/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028140419/https://world.expeditions.com/about/press-room/lindblad-expeditions-national-geographic-officially-names-newest-vessel-national-geographic-islander-ii/ |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |publisher=Lindblad Expeditions}} | style="text-align:Center;" | 200px |
| The Taipan | style="text-align:Center;" |{{SortDate|1994|07}} – May 2022{{Cite web |title=Meet Doulos Hope {{!}} OM Ships International |url=https://www.om.org/ships/douloshope |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=www.om.org |language=en}} | style="text-align:Center;" |1991{{Cite web |last=BalticShipping.com |title=BalticShipping.com |url=https://www.balticshipping.com/ |access-date=8 September 2022 |website=www.balticshipping.com |language=en}} | style="text-align:Center;" | 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.{{Cite web |title=GBA Ships - This is the official website of GBA Ships which manages and operates MV Logos Hope. |url=https://gbaships.org/en/65-doulos-hope-first-drydock |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908040351/https://www.gbaships.org/en/65-doulos-hope-first-drydock |archive-date=2022-09-08 |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=gbaships.org}}{{Cite web |title=Doulos Hope {{!}} www.gbaships.org |url=https://www.gbaships.org/en/douloshope |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=www.gbaships.org |language=en}} | 200px |
| SuperStar Gemini | style="text-align:Center;" | 1995–2009 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1992 | style="text-align:Center;" | 19,093 | Now Gemini for Miray Cruises. | 200px |
| SuperStar Capricorn | style="text-align:Center;" | 1997–1998 2001–2004 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1973 | style="text-align:Center;" | 21,891 | Scrapped at Aliağa, Turkey in 2021. | 200px |
| SuperStar Europe SuperStar Aries | style="text-align:Center;" | 1999–2000 2000–2004 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1980 | style="text-align:Center;" | 37,301 | Now Blue Sapphire for ANEX Tour. | 200px |
| SuperStar Sagittarius | style="text-align:Center;" | 1998 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1972 | style="text-align:Center;" | 16,607 | Previously Oriental Dragon. Scrapped in Gadani in 2022. | File:OrientalDragon20110724.jpg |
| SuperStar Leo | style="text-align:Center;" | 1998–2004 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1998 | style="text-align:Center;" | 75,338 | Star Cruises first newly built. Now Norwegian Spirit for Norwegian Cruise Line. | File:Ocean Liner "Super Star Leo" - Sydney Harbour (5105763245).jpg |
| SuperStar Virgo | style="text-align:Center;" | 1999–2019 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1999 | style="text-align:Center;" | 75,338 | Star Cruises second newly built Transfer to Dream Cruises as Explorer Dream in April 2019. | 200px |
| MegaStar Capricorn | style="text-align:Center;" | 2000–2001 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1991 | style="text-align:Center;" | 4,280 | Now Caledonian Sky for Noble Caledonia. | style="text-align:Center;" | 200px |
| MegaStar Sagittarius | style="text-align:Center;" | 2000–2001 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1991 | style="text-align:Center;" | 4,200 | Now Sea Spirit for Poseidon Expeditions. | style="text-align:Center;" | N/A |
| Norwegian Star 1
| style="text-align:Center;" | 2001–2002 |1973 |4,200 |Previously Albatros for Phonix Reisen; sold for scrap in 2021 | |||||
| SuperStar Taurus | style="text-align:Center;" | 2000–2001 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1980 | style="text-align:Center;" | 15,179 | Previously Celestyal Crystal for Celestyal Cruises: sold for scrap in 2025{{Cite web |last=Capella |first=Daniel |date=2025-05-22 |title=Após incêndios, naufrágios e reconstruções, navio de cruzeiros é finalmente vendido para desmanche - Portal WorldCruises.com |url=https://portalworldcruises.com/celestyal-crystal-vendido-para-desmanche/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=Portal World Cruises |language=pt-BR}} | 200px |
| SuperStar Libra | style="text-align:Center;" | 2005–2018 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1988 | style="text-align:Center;" | 42,275 | Previously Norwegian Sea; scrapped in Aliağa in 2022 | File:SuperStar Libra Hong Kong (cropped).jpg |
| SuperStar Aquarius | style="text-align:Center;" | 2007–2022 | style="text-align:Center;" | 1993 | style="text-align:center;" | 51,309 | Previously Norwegian Wind; sold for scrap in 2022 | 200px |
| SuperStar Gemini | style="text-align:Center;" | 2012–2022 | style="text-align:Center;" |1992 | style="text-align:center;" | 50,764 | Previously Norwegian Dream; sold for scrap in 2022 | 200px |
= Cancelled ships =
Ships that were ordered for Star Cruises but transferred before completion or never built:
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Official website|http://www.starcruises.com/}}
{{Members of Star Cruises}}
Category:Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Category:Companies listed on the Singapore Exchange
Category:1993 establishments in Hong Kong
Category:2022 disestablishments in Hong Kong
Category:Transport companies established in 1993