StarCruises
A Hong Kong-based cruise brand focused on Asia-Pacific leisure cruising.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
StarCruises, formerly styled Star Cruises, is a Hong Kong-based cruise brand associated with the Genting group of companies and the development of modern cruise tourism in the Asia-Pacific region. The business was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993, with its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong, after being established as an associate of Malaysia’s Genting Group. Its early strategy centered on acquiring existing vessels and deploying them on regional itineraries, including short cruises and gambling-oriented voyages from Hong Kong and Port Klang. The company expanded rapidly during the 1990s. Its initial fleet included cruiseferries acquired from the failed Swedish operator Rederi AB Slite, followed by additional purchases and the delivery of purpose-built vessels. SuperStar Leo entered service in 1998 and was followed by the larger sister ship SuperStar Virgo in 1999. Star Cruises also acquired Sun Cruises in 1999, strengthening its position in regional cruising. A major turning point came in 2000, when Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Cruise Line, together with related brands and subsidiaries including Orient Lines and Norwegian Capricorn Line. The transaction temporarily made Star Cruises the world’s largest cruise-line group and created a long-running operational and ownership relationship between the Asian brand and NCL. Fleet deployment subsequently became more fluid: ships originally associated with Star Cruises were transferred to NCL, while older or surplus NCL vessels were later moved into Star Cruises’ Asian fleet and renamed for regional service. During the 2000s and 2010s, Star Cruises operated as a principal Genting Hong Kong cruise brand, serving markets across East and Southeast Asia. Its offerings combined conventional leisure cruising with entertainment, dining, onboard accommodation and, on selected itineraries, casino activity. The company used ship renamings, hull-art programs and redeployments to refresh its fleet and adapt capacity to changing regional demand. It also announced large new-build plans in the 2010s, although vessels initially associated with Star Cruises were subsequently allocated to the group’s Dream Cruises brand instead. The brand’s earlier corporate structure was disrupted by the financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Genting Hong Kong entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2022, and several ships formerly operated by Star Cruises were sold for demolition or transferred to other owners. Later in 2022, Resorts World acquired the Star Cruises trademarks. In February 2025, Resorts World Cruises announced that the brand would be reformed as StarCruises under StarDream Cruises alongside sister brand Dream Cruises. The announced relaunch included the renaming of Resorts World One as Star Navigator and the introduction of Star Voyager, while Genting Dream was assigned to Dream Cruises. StarCruises therefore represents both a revived brand identity and the continuation of a long-standing Asian cruise business, although its post-relaunch operating scale and detailed fleet strategy remain subject to further disclosure.
History
StarCruises traces its origins to the expansion of Malaysia’s Genting Group into cruise tourism during the early 1990s. The business was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993 and established its corporate headquarters in Hong Kong. Its first vessels were two cruiseferries purchased from the bankrupt Swedish operator Rederi AB Slite. Rather than initially relying only on newly built ships, Star Cruises grew through acquisitions and regional deployment of second-hand tonnage. The company reached an important stage of fleet development in 1998 and 1999, when it received SuperStar Leo and SuperStar Virgo, its first new-build cruise ships. It also acquired Sun Cruises in 1999. These moves helped Star Cruises develop a recognizable regional fleet and increase its presence in the Asia-Pacific market. In 2000, Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Cruise Line, including Orient Lines and Norwegian Capricorn Line. This created a broad international cruise group and made Star Cruises the largest global cruise-line group by the measure cited in contemporary accounts. The integration led to substantial movement of vessels and brands between the companies. A number of ships originally intended for Star Cruises were redirected to NCL, while selected NCL vessels were later transferred to Star Cruises for Asian service. Star Cruises also established Cruise Ferries in 2001, operating Wasa Queen on short and gambling-oriented voyages from Hong Kong and Port Klang. The relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line evolved over the following decade. Star Cruises sold a 50 percent interest in NCL to Apollo Management in 2007. NCL later became wholly owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings after a corporate reorganization and initial public offering in 2013. Star Cruises and Apollo disposed of their remaining interests in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings on 3 December 2018, ending the long-running ownership connection. Fleet changes continued throughout the 2000s and 2010s. SuperStar Leo was transferred to NCL in 2004 and became Norwegian Spirit. In 2008, SuperStar Libra became the first ship transferred from NCL into the Star Cruises fleet. Star Cruises introduced new hull artwork from 2011 and announced that Norwegian Dream would enter its fleet as SuperStar Gemini in 2012. The company also pursued new-build expansion: agreements with Meyer Werft announced in 2013 and 2014 covered two large ships. The vessels were later allocated to Dream Cruises rather than Star Cruises, reflecting the Genting group’s evolving brand strategy. Operational retrenchment followed. SuperStar Libra ended public cruise operations for Star Cruises in June 2018, while SuperStar Virgo was announced for transfer to Dream Cruises in 2018 and later became Explorer Dream. SuperStar Gemini returned to Malaysia for a new deployment in late 2018. These changes reduced the distinct fleet associated with Star Cruises as the group concentrated new investment and newer vessels under Dream Cruises. The COVID-19 pandemic created severe financial pressure across the cruise sector. Genting Hong Kong, the parent company historically linked with Star Cruises, declared bankruptcy in 2022. SuperStar Gemini, SuperStar Aquarius and Star Pisces were sold for scrap that year. The smaller vessel The Taipan was sold to OM Ships International, renamed Doulos Hope and repurposed for a different mission. In September 2022, Resorts World acquired the Star Cruises trademarks. In February 2025, Resorts World Cruises announced a reformation of the brand as StarCruises under StarDream Cruises. The announced structure placed Genting Dream with Dream Cruises and assigned Resorts World One to the revived StarCruises identity as Star Navigator, alongside Star Voyager. The relaunch marks a new phase for the name, although the detailed history, fleet composition and operating footprint of the reformed brand will depend on subsequent deployments and corporate announcements.
- 2025
Brand reformed as StarCruises
[1]Resorts World Cruises announced the revival of the brand as StarCruises under StarDream Cruises, with Star Navigator and Star Voyager associated with the relaunch.
- 2022
Parent-company bankruptcy and trademark transfer
[1]Genting Hong Kong entered bankruptcy proceedings, several former Star Cruises ships were removed from service, and Resorts World acquired the Star Cruises trademarks.
- 2018
Major fleet transfers
[1]SuperStar Libra ended public operations for Star Cruises, while SuperStar Virgo was designated for transfer to Dream Cruises.
- 2012
SuperStar Gemini introduced
[1]Norwegian Dream entered the Star Cruises fleet under the name SuperStar Gemini.
- 2007
Partial sale of NCL stake
[1]Star Cruises sold half of Norwegian Cruise Line to Apollo Management.
- 2001
Cruise Ferries established
[1]Star Cruises established Cruise Ferries, which operated Wasa Queen on short and gambling-oriented regional cruises.
- 2000
Norwegian Cruise Line acquisition
[1]Star Cruises acquired Norwegian Cruise Line and related brands, creating a major international cruise group.
- 1999
SuperStar Virgo and Sun Cruises acquisition
[1]SuperStar Virgo joined the fleet and Star Cruises acquired Sun Cruises.
- 1998
First new-build vessel
[1]SuperStar Leo entered service as Star Cruises’ first new-build cruise ship.
- 1993
Corporate incorporation
[1]Star Cruises was incorporated in Bermuda on 10 November 1993, with Hong Kong serving as its corporate headquarters.
Products and positioning
An Asia-Pacific cruise brand combining regional itineraries with resort-style accommodation, entertainment, dining and, on selected voyages, casino-oriented leisure experiences.
Cruise travel · 1993
Regional cruise vacations
StarCruises has historically sold leisure cruises across the Asia-Pacific region, using Hong Kong, Malaysia and other Asian ports as gateways. Its itineraries have included short cruises, overnight voyages and longer multi-night trips, supported by onboard accommodation, restaurants, entertainment and recreational facilities.
Cruise entertainment · 2001
Casino and gambling cruises
Selected Star Cruises operations included gambling-oriented cruises, particularly short or overnight voyages from Hong Kong and Port Klang. These offerings formed part of the brand’s early regional strategy, although the availability of casino products depends on vessel, itinerary and applicable regulation.
Cruise ship · 2025
Star Navigator
Star Navigator is the announced StarCruises identity for the vessel previously known as Resorts World One. It is part of the planned post-2025 revival of the brand under StarDream Cruises.
Cruise ship · 2025
Star Voyager
Star Voyager is associated with the announced relaunch of StarCruises in 2025. It is intended to operate alongside Star Navigator as part of the revived brand’s fleet.
Brand decisions
2025
Reformation as StarCruisesStrategyBackground
Resorts World Cruises reorganized its cruise-brand architecture after acquiring the former Star Cruises trademarks.
Action taken
The company announced that Star Cruises would be reformed as StarCruises under StarDream Cruises, with Star Navigator and Star Voyager associated with the brand.
Aftermath
The announcement restored StarCruises as a distinct operating identity alongside Dream Cruises, while detailed future deployments remained to be established.
2022
Post-bankruptcy trademark transferStrategyBackground
The bankruptcy of Genting Hong Kong left the future of the Star Cruises name and related operations uncertain.
Action taken
Resorts World acquired the Star Cruises trademarks and later prepared a reformation of the brand under StarDream Cruises.
Aftermath
The trademark acquisition enabled the StarCruises relaunch announced in 2025.
2013
New-build expansion agreementStrategyBackground
Star Cruises pursued fleet renewal and capacity expansion as competition in Asian cruising increased.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement with Meyer Werft for a large new cruise ship and later announced a second vessel.
Aftermath
The vessels were subsequently allocated to Dream Cruises rather than delivered into the Star Cruises fleet.
2000
Acquisition of Norwegian Cruise LineM&ABackground
Star Cruises sought to expand beyond its Asia-Pacific base and acquired Norwegian Cruise Line, including associated brands and subsidiaries.
Action taken
The acquisition combined Star Cruises with NCL and made the wider group a major international cruise operator.
Aftermath
Ships and brands were subsequently transferred between the Star Cruises and NCL operations, while the ownership relationship was gradually unwound through later transactions.
Sources1 sources
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