Elsewhere, Genting Hong Kong Limited has announced it voluntarily suspended Explorer Dream cruising activities in Taiwan from 12 May 2021, due to a new Covid-19 outbreak.
The Hong Kong Government said the cruises can resume operation after the alert drops by at least one level (from alert level 3 to 2). Genting Hong Kong stated uncertainties caused by the ongoing pandemic “hinder the speed and extent of resumption of the group’s sailing activities across its branded fleets."
World Dream, another cruise in Singapore, had reduced passenger capacity to 50% on 14 June, but it was an improvement from the 25% capacity that was announced in May.
And Genting Dream cruises were allowed to continue operations since the end of July by the Hong Kong Government, but the company acknowledges any new outbreaks will push back the resumption date.
In a statement, the group assured it is “working actively to deploy passenger cruising opportunities across all potential routes, acknowledging it may face unforeseen disruptions and incur additional start-up costs in this uncertain process.”
In the same statement, Genting said its board was able to finalise the consummation of a $2.6bn financial indebtedness and recapitalisation transaction on 28 June.
It was first announced in May as the means to provide further capital and stability and help the company recover once Covid-19 restrictions eased.
The transaction involves new money facilities of $700m, an amendment and extension of existing financial indebtedness, such as a change in maturity date, and a provision of backstop funding arrangements to address future liquidity needs.
