Star Cruises Group and Singapore’s low-cost carrier Valuair have launched what is being termed as the first fly-cruise package for travel between Singapore and Bangkok.

Published: 17 Feb 2005

Star Cruises Group and Singapore’s low-cost carrier Valuair have launched what is being termed as the first fly-cruise package for travel between Singapore and Bangkok.

The fly-cruise package from Singapore would see passengers flying to Bangkok with Valuair and cruising back to Singapore onboard Superstar Virgo with a stopover in Ko Samui. The two companies also plan to launch the fly-cruise packages in other markets over the next few months with flexibility in terms of schedules and pricing built in.

“Our alliance with Valuair opens up new possibilities to further enhance and build the sea and air connectivity within the Asia Pacific region, that is an important element of our international sales and marketing efforts,” said Star Cruises chief operating officer Chong Chee Tut.

The package is on a twin-sharing basis and includes hotel accommodation in Bangkok, one-way airfare, transfers and cruise passage.

The development follows the announcement by two companies in December 2004, as per which Star Cruises and Valuair announced a strategic alliance resulting in world's third largest cruise line becoming the largest shareholder in Singapore's first international budget carrier.

Following the strategic move in December 2004, it was decided that the two companies will co-ordinate operations and jointly market attractive fly/cruise packages to provide passengers with a seamless, yet flexible, travel experience at attractive prices. The alliance is part of Star Cruises’ strategy to develop Singapore into a world renowned cruise hub rivalling Miami. Each year, more than 130,000 in-bound tourists from markets as diverse as India, Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and the United Kingdom visit Singapore to embark on Star Cruises holidays. This number forms approximately 40% of Star Cruises passengers in Asia embarking in Singapore.

Of the more than 130,000 fly-cruise passengers embarking from Singapore per year, close to one third of these passengers are from markets currently served by Valuair. Valuair commenced operations in May 2004.