For Genting Group scion Loui Lim, personal passions run parallel to a fierce professional ambition. Authentic experiences drive his razor-sharp focus for offering cruising guests unequalled hospitality, and so, thanks to a ship fleet offering personal butlers, world-leading facilities, and intuitive service, Lim is pioneering the way for a new era of luxury travel.
What are your passions in life?
For me, it’s really travel, design and architecture. As an architecture student, I grew up with an eye for detail, and I love travelling to new cities, to see how other people live, photographing fascinating architecture, discovering new restaurants and bars. I’m open to all new experiences around the world – there is so much to see and do, it doesn’t make sense to limit yourself.
And yet for those who perhaps aren’t so confident or comfortable travelling far, it’s a shame to miss out on new experiences.
And that’s the great think about cruises. For the very busy traveller, all the difficulties of planning a vacation, all that pressure and stress is taken out of the experience, because everything has already been planned seamlessly for you.
So many of us are caught up in the stress of everyday life that planning a holiday can seem like just another pressure.
Exactly. On a cruise vacation, you tend to get caught up in the experiences on offer, and you really live in and cherish that moment, instead of thinking about work or who you have to message.
“The Palace is really our hidden gem, offering luxurious accommodation, fine-dining, 24/7 butler service. That’s what makes a great vacation; when the service already pre-empts what you need.”
I really believe that great service needs to come from the heart. Travellers these days, they have so many great competing experiences to choose from, so the difference lies in that personal touch. It completely elevates your travel experience when you receive great service from the heart. Just look at The Palace, our European-trained butlers really provide personalised service to each guest. That’s what makes a great vacation; when the service already pre-empts what you need. The Palace is really our hidden gem, offering luxurious accommodation, fine-dining, 24/7 butler service.
The Palace is the embodiment of the ‘Asian at Heart, International in Spirit’ concept.
It absolutely is. But beyond The Palace, I don’t see us as exclusive, we are more inclusive. The great thing is that when you board, your hotel is already included, your dining and entertainment is included, even your trips and travelling to other destinations – with activities on-shore – are all already included. That’s the great thing about it.
Do you enjoy being on the water?
I love being close to the water. To hear the waves gently breaking; being in the middle of the ocean with just the beauty of nature surrounding you; and when night falls, I just love to look up at the stars and appreciate how small we are in the universe.
What do you consider the finer things in life?
For me, luxury in life is just being able to have time for yourself, to be able to pamper yourself, to visit new, exciting destinations, learn about another country’s culture, and if you can combine that with spending time with your loved ones then even better.
And when it comes to getting some R&R, how do you take time out for yourself?
Even just being able to have a lie-in on the weekends – it’s the simple pleasures! But also, going to the spa, having a nice relaxing massage or facial – that’s really what I look forward to most when I go on a cruise. I head immediately to the spa!
Beyond the spa, where else would we find you on a cruise?
I love getting room service – I am totally guilty of that. It’s a great thing, not to have to leave your room sometimes; to enjoy the great views from your cabin, with great food. I also love to explore the ship, trying out all the restaurant concepts on-board, navigating down the zip line, or just immersing myself in a VR experience at the arcade.
What’s next, where is your focus right now?
I’m working on the global class ship now, which is our next generation cruise ship. That will be coming out in 2021, and we’re really trying to combine all the great things about Dream Cruises but take it to that next level, by incorporating more convenience, more excitement, and more new, unique experiences for our guests. We’re trying to do that through technology; we really want to offer a seamless, convenient experience for our guests, from the moment they leave their house to the moment they disembark from the ship. One of the great features of the ship, of course, will be the theme park on the top activity deck which will have the longest rollercoaster at sea, and lots of fun rides for the whole family.
Watch this space!
There’s always more to do – always more to achieve. That’s what makes things exciting.
Photographer: Ricky Lo
Art Director: Harriet Gregory
Stylist: Bhisan Rai
Hair and Makeup: Gloomy Kwok