Star Cruises is 'The Leading Cruise Line In Asia-Pacific' and parent company of NCL. Its fleet of modern ships features the highest safety standards, world-class cuisine and exceptional service, hallmarks of a 7-time award winner for 'Best Cruise Operator in Asia-Pacific' by TTG Asia. Star Cruises commenced operations in 1993 and has since become the leading cruise line in Asia Pacific. It was voted the "Best Cruise Operator in Asia Pacific" by Travel Trade Gazette Asia for the eighth time in 2005 since 1997. Notable awards include a major safety and environment award at the Lloyd's List-SMM 2002 Awards in Hamburg, Germany, the "Best Innovative Product" at the Outbound Travel Mart in India 2002; "Unique Product-International" and "Best Product Promotion" at India International Travel Mart 2005; "Cruise Line of the Asia" by Travel Asia for 2000 and 2001 as well as the "Best Website" award at the Golden Web Awards by Travel Weekly East in Singapore in 2002. A survey conducted by Interbrand and published in the March 1999 edition of Asia Brand News ranked the Star Cruises brand as one of the 50 most recognized brand names in Asia, only six years after the Company's inception. The Company believes that this award-winning culture continues to reinforce the Group's outstanding brand name and helps to promote high international standards within the Group.