The SuperStar Gemini is moving to homeport in Bangkok in December for a five month program, offering two- and three-night cruises.

The SuperStar Libra launched its triple homeport deployment program in September, sailing from Port Klang, Penang and Phuket, offering three- and four-night cruises.

In Taiwan, the SuperStar Aquarius sails from Keelung to Japan, and the SuperStar Virgo is set to continue her China-based program through the end of November, according to Moo Lim Ang, president of Star Cruises.

As Star’s ships are strategically deployed throughout Asia, the attention is on 2020, when the first of at least two Global-class 5,000-passenger ships join the company.

“We commissioned the design of the new ships to meet the growing demands of the Asian cruise market with facilities and experiences to appeal to the interests of the discerning Asian vacationer,” Ang said.

Looking ahead to next year, Ang said total ALBD (available lower berth days) for China cruise capacity is expected to drop, with Western brands pulling capacity back to Europe and North America, or shortening their deployments in China.

“We are very optimistic of the market opportunities in China as we feel that there is still plenty of room for growth in the country’s cruise market with penetration relatively low,” Ang said.

Read the full interview with Moo Lim Ang in the Cruise Industry News Fall 2017 Quarterly Magazine.

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For insight and in-depth analysis of the Chinese cruise market, download the 2018 China Market Report.

About the 2018 China Market Report

The 2018 China Market Report by Cruise Industry News is the only resource covering the future trajectory of the Chinese and Asia-Pacific cruise industry, presenting the past, present and future in a concise 95-plus page PDF download.

It is the only forward looking and independently-researched data available on the Chinese cruise market.

Cruise Industry News profiles all the major cruise lines operating in Asia, from Carnival Corporation to Royal Caribbean and local operators.

In addition, there are discussions with leading Chinese travel agents about the charter model and pricing trends, port news and updates from across the region, and a look at the fleet of ships in Asia through 2027.

There is also exclusive analysis and statistics of the Asia-Pacific market going back to 1998 and supply projections through 2027, in addition to a break-down of Asia-Pacific and China by operator and market capacity. Click here to learn more.