2019 | Quarter 2

Spectrum of the Seas’ Maiden Call to Penang

Cruise passengers in Spectrum of the Seas were just in time to be greeted by the wonderful sunrise when she sailed into Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), George Town on 16 May 2019. Trishaws, vans, buses, taxis and travel agents were busy getting ready to welcome the passengers.

Being the newest and largest cruise vessel in Asia, Spectrum of the Seas has 169,379 gross registered tonnes and able to carry 5,622 passengers and crew.

A welcoming ceremony was held onboard to celebrate her maiden call and graced by YB Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Mr Ian James, Chairman of SPCT / Group CEO of MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd, Mr. Sasedharan Vasudevan, Chief Executive Officer of Penang Port Sdn Bhd, Mr Jeffrey Chew, Chairman of Penang Port Commission, Ms Angie Stephen, Managing Director of Royal Caribbean Asia-Pacific, YB Lee Chun Kit, representative of Penang Chief Minister’s Office and Her Excellency Kamala Lakhdhir, U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia.

“We expect the expansion of Swettenham Pier to begin in Quarter 4 of 2019. Once completed, we believe the pier could cater the influx of passengers in the next sailing season. As one of the preferred cruise terminals, the Federal Government has given tax free exemptions to duty free outlets to further spur cruise tourism”, said Mr Ian James in his speech.

After the ceremony, all guests were invited for an exclusive ship tour including experiencing the North Star elevated glass capsule.

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