Genting Hong Kong and its shipyard group, MV Werften, today announced a new Universal Class of cruise ships targeted at customers outside of Genting’s cruise brand portfolio of Dream, Crystal and Star.

“We are here for the keel laying of the second Global Class ship,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, chairman, “But more importantly, we are starting the design and building of the next series of ships, the Universal Class ships, the first to be delivered by the end of 2022.”

The Universal Class ships are designed, built and operated with “Complete Freedom,” making cruising more like a land vacation, the company said.

At 88,000 gross tons in size and with capacity for 2,000 guests, the ships are large enough to have all the main amenities of larger cruise ships but without the crowded public space and lines of 5,000-plus passenger cruise ships, Genting, said in a press release. 

Genting will operate the Universal Class ships for global hotel brands, who want to enter the cruise industry, but are unable to do so as almost all building slots are occupied until the end of the decade, 

“The major hospitality brands are uncompromising in protecting their brand image and the Universal Class ships are perfect as they carry the most trusted and respected ‘Made in Germany’ label. They are designed with the highest safety and environmental standards, including LNG propulsion,” said Peter Fetten, President and CEO of MV Werften

“We will be an experienced yard by then, having delivered two 208,000-ton Global Class ships, the largest to be built in Germany and the Universal Class ships will keep MV Werften with a full orderbook till 2024,” Fetten added.