LEADING Asian cruiseline Star Cruises is to base a ship in the Mediterranean for the first time next year.
Senior directors of the cruiseline, the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, revealed their plans at World Travel Market this week having just returned from Malta where a deal was signed to base a ship in Valetta.
The 1,480-passenger SuperStar Libra will transfer from its home port of Mumbai in India in May next year in a move which signals the further expansion of Star Cruises into an international brand.
Director of sales and marketing for Europe Mick Dupont said: “It was felt we could not offer attractive itineraries in the summer months in Mumbai because of the weather conditions. We are very keen to introduce Europe and the Mediterranean to the Asian market.”
Malta was chosen following consultation with specialist agent partners in the UK because it has good airlift and there is an Emirates flight from Dubai which serves the Asian market.
Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.
The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.