Construction starts on new Genting cruise ship

Construction began this week on the newest ship for Star Cruises, the Asian cruise line owned by Genting Hong Kong.

The first steel was cut Monday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany for the Genting World, which is scheduled for delivery in fall of 2016. A sister ship is due in fall 2017. Both will sail in Asia.

Star Cruises said each 21-deck ship will have room for about 4,500 passengers. The vessels will include more than 30 food and beverage options, including a street night market serving Asian food from a variety of countries.

Cruise companies around the world, including Miami’s Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival Corp., are increasing their presence in Asia to cater to a growing middle class.

In addition to Star Cruises, Genting Hong Kong is a major shareholder of Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. The company owned about 28 percent of Norwegian’s ordinary shares as of Sept. 30.

This story was originally published February 11, 2015 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Construction starts on new Genting cruise ship."