The group’s president Kent Zhu said, “It is a great honour for Genting Cruise Lines to continue its long and fruitful partnership with Taiwan … as we begin on the road to recovery together due to the Covid-19 pandemic and which will bring hope to the global cruise industry as well.” The pandemic had a negative effect on the cruise industry, with a number of cruises shutting down tours and halting operations, both due to safety regulations and travel restrictions. 

Explorer Dream will be available to a third of its guest capacity and close to 900 guests bought tickets for the island tour. Despite it being a casino cruise ship, due to the variety of health requirements, the casino is unavailable to guests. Spa and buffet service is also canceled and dining tables are separated by screens. The crew all passed 21-day quarantine and are tested for the virus, while the passengers will be required to comply with temperature checks and social distancing.  

Genting has recently endured a series of struggles as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Q1 2020, the group saw worldwide revenue decline by 29% year-on-year, at MYR1.96bn ($451m). Resorts World Genting saw a revneue drop of 36% to MYR1.23bn. 

Genting UK recently announced more than 1,600 jobs were at risk at its UK-based casinos as a result of company losses. The group informed staff at 27 of its venues that it intends to cut costs by shutting down certain services,