Eastern Cruise to Launch in Asia with Former Pacific Venus

South Korea-based Eastern Cruise is set to launch a new cruise operation in Asia using the former Pacific Venus, now renamed Eastern Venus. The 720-guest vessel is scheduled to begin service for the startup brand in August 2024.

The company plans to offer cruises in Northeast Asia from April to October, with South Korea as the homeport, and in Southeast Asia from October to March, with Taiwan serving as the turnaround base.

“This development marks a significant milestone for South Korea’s growing cruise industry and represents an important expansion of cruise offerings in Northeast Asia,” stated Un Song Kim, Eastern Cruise’s Public Relations and Marketing General Manager, to Cruise Industry News.

Kim noted that Eastern’s launch aligns with projections of a 5.17 percent annual growth in South Korea’s cruise market between 2024 and 2028.

Originally built for Japan-based Venus Cruises in 1998, the Eastern Venus is undergoing refurbishment in preparation for its debut.

As the newest entrant in the Asian cruise market, Eastern Cruise plans to offer three- to five-night cruises departing from South Korea and Taiwan. The company aims to attract both domestic and international travelers, according to Kim.

The new brand is affiliated with Duwon Shipping, a ro-ro operator that services routes between South Korea, Japan, Russia, and Southeast Asia. The company also provides ferry services for passengers and cars aboard the 1993-built Eastern Dream.

After concluding a 25-year operational career in Japan, the Pacific Venus was withdrawn from service in January 2023, as part of Venus Cruise’s decision to shut down its cruise business. The 26,500-gross ton vessel then entered an extended layup period before being sold to new owners in late 2023.