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Genting Dream arrived in Naha and Miyakojima on the 4th and 5th of April 2017 respectively.
OKINAWA, Japan – Genting Dream, the first ship of Dream Cruises, began her inaugural itinerary to Okinawa, Japan from her dual homeports in Hong Kong and Nansha on 2 April. Over four thousand International guests and crew joined the inaugural cruise arriving in Naha on 4 April, then Miyakojima on the following day, marking the official debut of Genting Dream’s Journey to the Island Gems of Japan summer itinerary.
Local performers welcomed Genting Dream’s guests with an enthusiastic Eisa performance, a traditional drum dance, and cultural presentations highlighted by a Ryukyu dance and traditional folk music performed on an Okinawan Sanshin. The Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau also presented a special memento for the passengers showcasing the world-renowned “star-shaped sand” that can only be found at Okinawa.
To celebrate the inaugural cruise, a special ceremony was held on board the ship attended by Japanese dignitaries, executives of Genting Hong Kong, as well as local media. During the Kagami Biraki, a traditional Japanese ritual, Mr. Takao Kadekaru, Director General, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government; Mr. Tsutomu Kinjo, Executive Vice President of Naha Port Authority; Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises; and Captain Carl Magnus Folke Gottberg of Genting Dream cracked open a ceremonial barrel to bestow best wishes for Genting Dream’s inaugural cruise to Okinawa, Japan.
“Okinawa, Japan has always been one of the most scenic destinations with its pristine beaches and crystal clear waters, as well as myriad cultural and historic attractions. On the “Journey to the Island Gems of Japan” itinerary, not only will guests enjoy Naha, Okinawa’s capital city, but for the first-time ever, they will also have the opportunity to sample the beauty of Miyakojima, also known as The Most Beautiful Island in Japan, on the same cruise,” said Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises. “We invite all guests to join us on board Genting Dream this summer to fall in love with the natural beauty and rich culture of Okinawa!”
“With about 40 inhabited islands, and one of the very few coral reefs in the world, Okinawa is a truly unique destination. The region also enjoys a distinct history, culture and nature that is very different from mainland Japan. Promoting Okinawa as a cruise destination is an absolute priority for us, as the prefecture has made it its goal to attract more tourists,” said Mr. Takao Kadekaru, Head of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government.
On 5 April, Genting Dream arrived at Miyakojima, one of most remote islands in Okinawa, renowned for its spectacular “50 shades of Miyako Blue”. The ship was welcomed at the pier by Japanese dignitaries including Mr. Shimoji Toshihiko, Mayor of Miyakojima and Mr. Tomiyama Kenji, Chairman of Miyako Island Tourism Association, during an official ceremony highlighted by traditional musical performances.
Photo caption: (1st left) Ms. Ann Zhang, Hotel Director of Genting Dream; (4th left) Captain Carl Magnus Folke Gottberg of Genting Dream; (mid-left) Mr. Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises; (mid-right) Mr. Takao Kadekaru, Head of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government; (4rd right) Mr. Tsutomu Kinjo, Executive Vice President of Naha Port Authority; (3rd right) Mr. Chokei Taira, Chairman of the Okinawa Convention and Visitors Bureau and (1st right) Ms. Christine Li, Senior Vice President, Marketing of Genting Cruise Lines
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
