Launching an Asian luxury cruise from Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, would help advance the cruise market in South China, according to Thatcher Brown, president of Dream Cruises.

"As the first-ever luxury cruise line and the first luxury ship to make Guangzhou its homeport, year-round, we are devoted to helping boost development of the cruise market in southern China," said Brown.

Dream Cruises, the first-ever Asian luxury cruise line under Genting Hong Kong, departed from its homeport of Guangzhou's Nansha port, for her maiden journey on Nov 13.

"Our story actually began a year ago when we chose Guangzhou to announce our new brand. In a scant year's time, and coupled with the recent homeport of SuperStar Virgo, we have seen passenger numbers grow to over 300,000 resulting in this port," said Brown.

Launching Dream Cruises will help meet the growing demand for luxury voyages, according to Brown.

As part of the company's commitment of supporting the region, and especially its youthful dreamers, Dream Cruises also launched the "Dream Big" initiative, a new project developed by the cruise line to provide essential support to nurture talented children.