Star Cruises was incorporated in September 1993 to tap Asia-Pacific’s potential as an international cruise destination. Nine years later it had grown to became the world’s third largest cruise company and won 25 international industry awards. Today Asian holiday makers see cruising as an exciting and value-for-money vacation. At the same time Star Cruises started the influx of travellers from North America, Europe and Australia, who cruises for a glimpse of the various sights and sounds of Asia-Pacific. Star Cruises presently operates a combined fleet of 20 ships with over 26,000 lower berths, with cruises to destinations and islands in Asia-Pacific, North and South America, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Mediterranean, Bermuda and Antarctica under the Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Orient Lines and Cruise Ferries brands. Vessels operated under the Star Cruises’ brand in Asia-Pacific are SuperStar Leo, SuperStar Virgo, SuperStar Aries, SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Capricorn, Star Pisces, MegaStar Aries, MegaStar Taurus. The NCL group operates a fleet of eleven ships under two brands: Norwegian Cruise Line, with nine ships, offers mainstream cruises in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, and Asia-Pacific. Orient Lines, with two ships, offers destination-oriented cruises in Europe in the summer months and worldwide, as far as Antarctica, in the fall-through-spring. Both NCL and Orient Lines market primarily in North America but also extensively in the UK, Europe, South America, and Asia. The Pride of America – the first of the two Project America vessels – is presently under construction at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Germany. The 81,000-grt and 2,100 lower berth vessel is expected to commence Hawaii inter-island cruising next year with a “Best of America” theme. The second Project America vessel, which is currently sailing as Norwegian Sky will be renamed Pride of Aloha and will reflect a strong Hawaiian theme which will be accomplished after a refurbishment in September 2004. Both ships will sail under NCL’s new US-flag brand – NCL America sm. The Cruise Ferries brand which was launched in 2001 presently comprises the m.v. Wasa Queen. In training her officers, Star Cruises has built its own ship training simulator located within the Star Cruises Terminal, Port Klang complex. Completed in 1998, the Star Cruises Ship Simulator Centre (SCSS) is the only one of its kind in the world owned by a shipping company. The operation of the Centre is a joint-business agreement between Star Cruises and the renowned Danish Maritime Institute. Read also the interview with Nils Nordh.
