Resorts World Cruises is owned by Malaysian billionaire Lim Kok Thay and his family, operating independently of the bankrupt Genting Hong Kong group that once ran its predecessor brand, Star Cruises.
The company was registered in Singapore in 2022 as Resorts World Cruises Pte Ltd, a fresh entity created specifically to acquire the Star Cruises trademarks and relaunch Asian cruising under a new name.
Resorts World Cruises is best known for casual, resort style sailing aimed at Southeast Asian travelers, blending short getaway cruises with the casino and entertainment style long associated with the Genting name.
Its single active ship offers themed dining, gaming, and family entertainment, positioning the brand as an accessible alternative to the larger Western cruise lines operating in Asia.
The Lim family is also the controlling force behind Genting Group, one of Asia’s largest gaming and resort conglomerates, though Genting Group itself is legally separate from the defunct Genting Hong Kong cruise business.
Genting Group operates integrated resorts and casinos across Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom, giving the Lim family enormous influence across Asian leisure and hospitality.
What surprises many former Star Cruises passengers is that Resorts World Cruises is not a legal continuation of the old company at all, but an entirely new business built from purchased assets and trademarks.
This guide explains exactly who owns Resorts World Cruises, what happened to Genting Hong Kong and Star Cruises, who leads the new company, and where its ships currently sail.
It also covers the brand’s fleet, its market position, and how it compares with the cruise line it replaced.
Let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
What Is Resorts World Cruises?
Resorts World Cruises is an Asia focused cruise brand relaunched in 2022 after the collapse of its predecessor, Star Cruises.
The brand operates out of Singapore and targets short, affordable getaway cruises for regional travelers rather than long international itineraries.
Its identity borrows directly from the Genting owned Resorts World casino resort brand, reflecting the shared ownership between the two businesses.
The company markets itself around onboard entertainment, dining variety, and casino gaming, similar to the original Star Cruises formula that built a loyal following across Asia in the 1990s and 2000s.
Who Owns Resorts World Cruises?
Resorts World Cruises is privately owned by Lim Kok Thay, chairman of Genting Group, and his family interests.
Company records show the brand was incorporated as Resorts World Cruises Pte Ltd in Singapore in 2022, separate from any Genting Hong Kong entity.
Lim personally purchased the Star Cruises and related trademarks from the Genting Hong Kong liquidation estate, allowing the family to relaunch cruising under a new corporate structure with no ties to the old company’s debts.
This means Resorts World Cruises is not owned by any public shareholders and does not trade on any stock exchange.
Private owners, Resorts World Cruises Pte Ltd
Singapore registered operating company
Flagship cruise vessel
Is Resorts World Cruises Publicly Traded or Privately Owned?
Resorts World Cruises is privately owned and does not trade on any stock exchange.
This is a notable difference from its predecessor, Genting Hong Kong, which was once listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange before its 2022 liquidation.
By rebuilding the brand as a private company, the Lim family avoided inheriting the billions of dollars in debt that sank the old Genting Hong Kong cruise and shipbuilding businesses.
What Happened to Genting Hong Kong and Star Cruises?
Genting Hong Kong, the former parent of Star Cruises, Dream Cruises, and Crystal Cruises, filed for liquidation in January 2022 after struggling with pandemic era losses and roughly 3.4 billion dollars in debt.
A Bermuda court approved the liquidation later that year, effectively ending the original Genting Hong Kong cruise empire and its shipyard subsidiaries, MV Werften and Lloyd Werft.
Rather than let the Star Cruises name disappear entirely, KT Lim moved quickly to buy the trademarks and register a new company, Resorts World Cruises, unconnected to the failed group.
The Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises brands went through separate ownership changes after the same liquidation, with Crystal Cruises later acquired by an unrelated buyer.
Who Leads Resorts World Cruises?
Resorts World Cruises operates under the direct oversight of the Lim family office rather than a large public company board.
Lim Kok Thay, who has led Genting Group for decades and previously chaired Genting Hong Kong, is the guiding figure behind the relaunched cruise brand.
Day to day operations draw on veteran staff from the original Star Cruises business, giving the new company continuity in crewing and hospitality standards despite the change in ownership.
What Cruise Brands Are Related to Resorts World Cruises?
Resorts World Cruises has no formal corporate relationship with Dream Cruises or Crystal Cruises, even though all three brands trace back to the same defunct Genting Hong Kong group.
Each brand was sold or relaunched separately after the 2022 liquidation, so travelers should not assume shared ownership, loyalty programs, or booking systems between them today.
The wider Genting Group, which the Lim family also controls, owns Resorts World branded casino resorts in Malaysia, Singapore, New York, and the United Kingdom, though these are hotel and gaming properties rather than cruise operations.
Resorts World Cruises Fleet
Resorts World Cruises currently operates one ship, Resorts World One, a mid-size vessel built in the early 1990s and previously known as Star Navigator.
The ship carries a mix of cabins, casino space, and multiple dining venues, reflecting the brand’s casual, gaming forward positioning.
Reports have indicated plans to deploy the vessel to additional Asian markets, including a proposed India deployment that has been pushed back to 2026 as the company builds out its route network.
Where Does Resorts World Cruises Sail?
Resorts World Cruises sails primarily from Southeast Asian homeports, with a focus on short getaway itineraries popular with regional travelers.
Typical routes include short sailings around Malaysia and the surrounding region, aimed at weekend and short break cruisers rather than long international voyages.
Additional Asia Pacific deployments, including markets like India, have been discussed as the brand expands its post relaunch route map.
What Is Resorts World Cruises Known For?
Resorts World Cruises is known for combining casino gaming with cruise vacations, a formula the Lim family also uses at its land based Resorts World properties.
The brand emphasizes affordability and short trip lengths, making it popular with first time cruisers and regional travelers seeking a quick escape rather than a long voyage.
Onboard entertainment, buffet and specialty dining, and gaming floors are central to the guest experience, continuing traditions established under the original Star Cruises brand.
Is Resorts World Cruises Really Good or Really Worth It?
Resorts World Cruises tends to appeal most to travelers who already enjoy Resorts World branded casino resorts and want a similar experience at sea.
Guests often highlight the affordable pricing, convenient short itineraries, and lively casino atmosphere as strengths of the brand.
Because the fleet is currently limited to one ship, itinerary variety and sailing dates are more restricted than with larger international cruise lines.
As a newly relaunched company, Resorts World Cruises also has a shorter public track record than legacy brands, so travelers should confirm current offerings directly before booking.
- Affordable, short getaway style itineraries
- Casino gaming and lively onboard entertainment
- Convenient Southeast Asian homeports
- Single ship limits itinerary and date options
- Short operating history under the new ownership structure
- Fewer long haul or international routes than major rivals
Customer Service and Official Contact Information
Travelers with booking questions should contact Resorts World Cruises through their travel agent or regional booking office, since the brand is still building out its direct guest service channels after relaunch.
Background on the 2022 Genting Hong Kong liquidation that created this new ownership structure is documented on Wikipedia’s Star Cruises entry and in trade coverage from Seatrade Cruise News.
The Lim family’s wider business interests, including its Resorts World branded casino resorts, are detailed on the official Genting Group website.
For background on related brands, see WhoMakeThis’s guide to who owns Star Cruises and the related breakdown of who owns Crystal Cruises.
Resorts World Cruises is a privately owned brand controlled by Lim Kok Thay and his family, rebuilt from purchased Star Cruises trademarks after the 2022 collapse of Genting Hong Kong, with no public shareholders involved.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resorts World Cruises
Is Resorts World Cruises the same company as Star Cruises?
No, Resorts World Cruises is a new company formed in 2022 after the Lim family purchased the Star Cruises trademarks from the liquidated Genting Hong Kong estate.
Who owns Resorts World Cruises?
Resorts World Cruises is privately owned by Malaysian billionaire Lim Kok Thay and his family, operating through Resorts World Cruises Pte Ltd in Singapore.
Is Resorts World Cruises connected to Genting Hong Kong?
No, Genting Hong Kong was liquidated in 2022, and Resorts World Cruises is a separate, newly formed entity with no legal or financial ties to that failed company.
How many ships does Resorts World Cruises have?
Resorts World Cruises currently operates one ship, Resorts World One, with additional Asia Pacific route expansion under discussion for future years.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.