Five-Night, Six-Day Itinerary Departing Busan on September 2, Calling at Shanghai, Sasebo, and Seogwipo
Fully Refurbished Costa Serena Offers a Distinctly Different Cruise Experience
Panstar has begun selling a charter cruise calling at three countries, led by an Italian-flagged cruise ship that has undergone a full refurbishment.
Panstar Enterprise announced on the 6th that it will officially launch a charter cruise product featuring the Costa Serena, which has completed an extensive interior renovation.
This product is based on an itinerary in which Panstar charters and operates the authentic Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, and is organized as a six-day, five-night voyage calling at three countries: Korea, Japan, and China. Departing from Busan Port on September 2, it will call at Sasebo in Japan, Shanghai in China, and Seogwipo in Jeju in sequence, before returning to Busan.
The route allows passengers to visit key ports in Korea, China, and Japan in a single trip, drawing attention from the travel industry and cruise demand segments.
The Costa Serena deployed on this sailing recently completed a full refurbishment under the theme of "Modern & Pop Art." While maintaining its existing size as a 114,000-ton class vessel, core spaces such as major cabins including suites, restaurants, and lounges have been redesigned with a sophisticated look. Panstar plans to offer a cruise experience with a distinctly different feel from before.
The lineup of ports of call is also a key feature. By visiting Sasebo, a port city in Japan; Shanghai, a major metropolitan city in China; and Seogwipo in Jeju, known for its natural scenery, the itinerary is designed to allow guests to experience each country's culture and urban appeal in depth. Another strength is that the cruise both departs from and returns to Busan as its home port, which minimizes the burden of air travel.
Panstar, which has drawn heightened attention after Group Chairman Kim Hyunkyum appeared on the EBS TV program "Seo Janghoon's Next-Door Millionaire," is channeling this interest into its charter cruise products. Following the broadcast, inquiries about Panstar cruises have increased, and the company is differentiating itself by deploying a fully refurbished vessel.
A Panstar official said, "Following Group Chairman Kim Hyunkyum's recent TV appearance, interest in Panstar's cruise operation experience and business philosophy has grown," adding, "Based on the fully refurbished Costa Serena, we have further strengthened the competitiveness of our port-of-call programs and services."
Meanwhile, Panstar is the only company in Korea that holds a cruise operation license, and since 2017 it has operated three to five charter cruises annually in partnership with Costa Cruises. Reservations for the September sailing can be made through the official website and major travel agencies, and an early-bird discount promotion will also be offered.
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