StarDream Cruises president, Michael Goh was among the prominent speakers at the CruiseWorld Malaysia conference 2025 which was held at the Penang Marriott Hotel for the very first time.
He addressed the hall filled with industry experts and policy makers from the region at the gathering.
Among them was Transport Minister YB Anthony Loke, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai among others.
“On behalf of StarDream Cruises, home to the all-new StarCruises and Dream Cruises brands, we thank Northstar Travel Group for the opportunity to participate in the first CruiseWorld event of 2025.
“Today’s event in Penang marks a meaningful milestone, as it is also the first-ever CruiseWorld Malaysia held in the historic city of George Town, a place with deep and lasting ties to our ships and our journey.
“This year’s Cruise World theme, “Sea of Opportunities, Land of Discoveries,” could not be more fitting. It reflects the boundless potential within the cruise industry – both on the high seas and onshore. From expanding markets and pioneering guest experiences at sea; to uncover meaningful cultural and economic treasures on land; this theme captures the heart of our industry’s promise,” said Goh.
He shared that Malaysia, such as Penang, with its natural wonders, vibrant cultures, and world-renowned cuisine, is perfectly positioned to become a leading cruise hub in Asia—both as a destination and a booming source market. And speaking of cuisine—it doesn’t get any better than Penang, a city celebrated globally as one of the ultimate food havens. For cruise guests, it’s a flavourful gateway to Malaysia’s cultural richness.
“This year, we proudly returned to our roots with the launch of StarDream Cruises, bringing new energy and fresh experiences under two iconic brands: StarCruises and Dream Cruises. From our earliest days to today, Malaysia has been a key part of our story. • StarDream Cruises is the only international cruise line to homeport all year round across Asia, especially in Southeast Asia with the most number of ships deployed in Asia.
“Our ships have long called at various ports across Malaysia, with Penang serving as both a beloved homeport and destination. Today, Dream Cruises’ flagship Genting Dream regularly visits key Malaysian ports all year round, including Port Klang, Melaka and right here in Penang. Under StarCruises, the Star Navigator and Star Voyager also
visited Penang, Port Klang, and also Redang Island, on select sailings in the first and second quarter of 2025,” he said.
He added that the global cruise industry has seen a strong rebound in the post-COVID era, with Asia steadily regaining its position as one of the top source markets worldwide.
Since 2022, Asia has shown a marked uptick in growth as a source market, with consistent year-on-year increases. Notably, Malaysia ranked as the second-largest source market in both 2022 and 2023.
“Since the launch of our brand in 2022, we have approximately 434 port calls across Malaysia to date — with 294 calls to Port Klang, over 100 calls to Penang; 36 calls to Melaka and more — bringing more than 1.5 million inbound tourists to Malaysia. Through these deployments, we are actively unlocking a sea of opportunities—and we are deeply honoured to play a leading role in advancing Malaysia’s position as a premier cruise hub, both regionally and globally. We are also proud to support a wide range of related tourism and economic sectors with every visit — including transportation, provisioning, bunkering, hospitality, employment, and more.
“Today, our ships sail across the vast waters of Southeast Asia and East Asia, establishing our presence as the leading international cruise line to both homeport and operate extensively in Asia— more than any other cruise line in the region. With decades of expertise in Asia’s cruise landscape, StarDream Cruises is committed to enhancing the onboard experience and expanding our appeal to a broader and more diverse audience.
“For example, to better serve the Muslim travel segment, we are proud to be the first cruise line in the world to have our ships certified under the OIC SMIIC Halal-Friendly Standard. This milestone ensures access to fully certified Halal menus and offerings, alongside Vegetarian and Jain cuisine—providing comfort, inclusivity, and peace of mind for all our guests.
“As a cruise line that knows Asia best, we’re excited to embark on a new chapter this year with StarDream Cruises. With StarCruises and Dream Cruises, we’re ready to dive into the “Sea of Opportunities, Land of Discoveries.” • Together, let us work hand in hand to elevate Malaysia and the region as a world-class, year-round cruise hub—across leisure,
Fly-Cruise, and MICE segments,” he shared.