THAILAND TAPS LUXURY CRUISE MARKET WITH STARDREAM'S US$50 MILLION STAR VOYAGER LAUNCH

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, April 23 (Bernama) -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced its collaboration with StarDream Cruises to elevate Thailand's profile in the global cruise tourism through the launch of the Star Voyager on Tuesday.

For the first time, the Star Voyager – a newly refurbished luxury cruise ship with a capacity of approximately 1,940 guests – will operate with Thailand as its home port.

TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing - Asia and the South Pacific, Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, described the launch as a milestone for Thai tourism.

"The launch of the Star Voyager marks a significant step in our efforts to strengthen Thailand's tourism and maritime sectors, in line with national policy and the objectives of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025.

"This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams and partners who have worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life," she said in a statement published on the TAT News website on Wednesday.

She added that the debut of the Star Voyager also signifies the revitalisation of the StarCruises brand and reinforces Thailand's role as a key cruise hub in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, the President of StarDream Cruises, Michael Goh, expressed his excitement about homeporting the Star Voyager in Bangkok as the group reintroduces the revitalised StarCruises brand in Thailand.

"This launch represents a significant step forward in our vision to position Thailand as a cruise hub in Southeast Asia. With this regional deployment, we aim to attract a diverse range of travellers while supporting the country's growing tourism economy," he said.

He added that, following a US$50 million refurbishment, the ship now offers a premium cruising experience departing from Laem Chabang Port.

The Star Voyager is operating two exclusive five-night sailings – from April 22 and from May 7 – on the Laem Chabang - Ko Samui - Singapore - Laem Chabang route, offering travellers an immersive gateway to Thai culture and hospitality.

In 2024, Thailand welcomed 162 cruise ship calls, carrying over 379,000 passengers and generating 1.89 billion baht in revenue – a 6.9 per cent increase from the previous year, according to the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre.

The busiest cruise ports include Patong Bay, Laem Chabang, Ko Samui, Phuket Deep Sea Port, and Sriracha Port, with most travellers arriving from Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, and Germany.

StarDream Cruises, a newly introduced brand under Resorts World Cruises, was launched as part of efforts to revitalise the cruise business.

-- BERNAMA