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Penang is preparing to make waves in regional tourism with the upcoming Penang Princess, Malaysia’s first luxury dining and sightseeing cruise, scheduled to set sail in 2027.
Inspired by the success of Vietnam’s Mekong and Saigon River dinner cruises, the Penang Princess aims to offer a new premium experience along the Straits of Malacca, with future routes planned to Singapore, Port Klang and Malacca.
The 61.58m vessel will be designed by acclaimed Vietnamese designer Ngo Thi Quynh Nga, whose portfolio includes award-winning river cruisers across Southeast Asia. Her vision blends British colonial elegance with refined Oriental accents, creating an atmosphere that mirrors Penang’s multicultural heritage.
Guests can look forward to multiple fine-dining restaurants, stylish bars, an observation terrace for panoramic coastal views and a dedicated event deck suited for weddings, performances, corporate functions and cultural showcases.
Ocean World Cruises Berhad is leading the project in partnership with Viet Princess Cruiser Corporation, Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Group (VISEC) and Ships Classification Malaysia (SCM).
The multi-million-dollar construction is expected to take about 2 years, with SCM ensuring compliance with global environmental and safety standards.
According to Penang Port Commission chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, who witnessed the signing ceremony, the Penang Princess will become Penang’s first true high-end dining and sightseeing vessel, positioning the island as a rising destination for premium travel experiences.
He noted that Penang has always excelled on land, and this project will finally allow visitors to appreciate the island from a fresh, sea-level perspective.
The Penang Princess is also envisioned as the first of several vessels, with developers exploring the possibility of a second Penang-based ship and longer-term plans to expand the fleet to Singapore.
As Penang strengthens its reputation as a world-class tourism hub, this new luxury cruise hopes to offer travellers an unforgettable way to savour the island’s charm from the water.
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