Penang Port Commission chairman Dato Yeoh Soon Hin hails the maiden call by Chinese cruise ship – “Blue Dream Melody” to Penang
“We warmly welcomed the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship, which is set to arrive in Penang tomorrow (December 14).
“This marks the cruise’s maiden call at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT). This inaugural call is of great significance, as it highlights Penang Port’s competitive advantage.
“While the port has long hosted Western-operated European and American cruise ships, it now also welcomes China-operated cruises.
“The cruises departing from China cities as home ports will help drive tourism and economic development in Southeast Asian port cities. This also changes the travel patterns of China tourists to Southeast Asia, as they are no longer limited to air travel. Now, they have a new option: traveling by cruise for a holiday, thus boosting tourism and spending in Malaysia”, said Yeoh who is also the deputy chairman of Tourism Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Blue Dream Melody is operated by Shanghai Blue Dream International Cruise Company and will debut in 2024.
The cruise is 202.85 meters long, 28.1 meters wide, and has 12 decks. It features 609 cabins and can accommodate 1,580 passengers.
The cruise’s theme is “Epic Voyage to the West,” and it departed from Shanghai on November 26, 2024, for a 34-day journey.
This route will innovatively recreate the historical voyage of Admiral Zheng He’s expeditions, allowing passengers to experience his historical “Voyage to the West.” The cruise will visit 10 countries/regions, 15 ports, and 17 stops across Southeast Asia, including George Town, Penang.