Star Cruises was founded as an associate of the Genting Group of Malaysia.[2] It was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993 with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong.[3] 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),[4] 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.[5] The ship then became Norwegian Spirit.[6] 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.[7] (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.[8] 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.[8]
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.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11]
On 9 February 2015, the first steel cutting ceremony for Genting World was held at Meyer Werft shipyard.[12] 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.[13]
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.[14] 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.[15][16] 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.[17] In November 2018, SuperStar Gemini returned to Malaysia for a six-month deployment.[18]
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.[19] 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 July 20. She then sailed to Singapore to continue a refurbishment which should have conclude by the end of 2023.[20][21]
In September of 2022, Thay, under the buyer name Resorts World, bought the trademarks for Star Cruises for around $3.5 million.[22]
2025: Revival as StarCruises
On 25 February 2025, Resorts World Cruises 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.[23]
Future fleet
Ships that will sail under the reformed StarCruises
Star Cruises' second newly built at the time. Transfer to Dream Cruises as Explorer Dream in April 2019. Transferred to Resorts World Cruises as Resorts World One in 2023. Transferring back to StarCruises in 2025
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.[20]
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