Starboard Cruise Services inks retail agreement with Chinese operator Blue Dream Cruises
A Blue Dream Cruises cruise ship
Starboard Cruise Services, an LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton company, has entered into a milestone partnership with the newest Chinese cruise operator, Blue Dream Cruises.
According to the company, Starboard debuted retail operations in China aboard the first international cruise line sailing in 2006, and its 17-year presence in the market is reflected in the sophisticated onboard retail experience that caters to the discerning preferences of Chinese travelers. The collection is a tribute to China’s rich heritage, comprising of a thoughtfully curated selection of global and Asian brands, luxury designers, and treasured mementos that guests can take home to cherish their cruise vacation.
“We are really excited to resume cruising in China and thrilled to start this new journey with Blue Dream Cruises," says Lisa Bauer, Starboard's CEO and President. "With our extensive history and expertise in the market, the refined retail experience is tailored to the Chinese guest seeking unparalleled luxury and unforgettable vacations at sea –making every voyage with Blue Dream Cruises extraordinary."
As of May 26, Blue Dream Star is the first vessel to offer outbound cruises from China since the onset of the pandemic. The diversified onboard shops offer a vast selection of highly sought-after brands and products across beauty and fragrance to watches, fashion, and confectionery categories. Guests can indulge in the world-renowned fashion houses that are beloved by Chinese consumers, including Gucci, Prada, Hugo Boss, Armani, Love Moschino, Ray-Ban and more.
"Blue Dream Cruises is committed to providing our guests with world-renowned cruise experiences. Partnering with Starboard enables us to set a new standard of cruise retailing, ensuring that guests have the ultimate vacation journey at sea,” says Helene Xu, General Manager of Blue Dream Cruises.
Guests seeking Asian and international skincare and beauty can explore the Beauty and Fragrance Gallery and discover brands like Shiseido, Sulwhasoo and Sisley. Appealing to guests’ interest in collectable timepieces, the Boutique Gallery will offer Swiss watchmakers such as Longines, one of the world's oldest watchmakers and prized for its ultra-thin watch mechanisms and styles; Tissot, known for developing the first tactile watch 20 years ago; and Titoni, one of the few remaining independent family-owned watch companies in Switzerland.
