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SINGAPORE: Two cruise lines will be allowed to offer Singapore residents “cruises to nowhere” starting in November, under a pilot scheme with enhanced security protocols and mandatory COVID-19 testing for both crew and passengers.
Genting Cruise Lines’ World Dream will begin offering those cruises on November 6, while Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas will begin sailing in December, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said in a press release on Thursday (October 8).
The two ships, whose home ports are in Singapore, are part of a pilot scheme that will allow round-trip voyages without ports of call at a maximum capacity of 50 percent for Singapore residents only, STB said.
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Quantum of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Frank Schwichtenberg)
“The Government will carefully monitor the results of the pilots’ trips in the coming months before deciding the next steps for the cruise ships,” STB said.
SUPER SEACATION IN A WORLDWIDE DREAM
In a press release Thursday, Dream Cruises, owned by Genting Cruise Lines, said it has “completely reexamined and improved all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols” in accordance with strict guidelines from local authorities, including strict Processes. of medical examinations.
“We are delighted to be the first cruise ship to restart operations here in Singapore and to provide a much-needed boost to the local tourism industry,” said Dream Cruises President Michael Goh.
“We can offer Singaporeans more vacation options beyond the land-based resorts and we hope to bring back the joy of sailing with safety paramount,” he added.
The World Dream will offer “Super Seacation” cruise packages for two or three nights.
STB CEO Keith Tan said public health and safety was the authority’s top priority, even as it reopened various sectors of the economy.
“We are pleased to work with Genting Cruise Lines on the cruise pilot with a focus on the safe management measures necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and crew,” he said.
“COVID-19 PROTECTIONS” FOR QUANTUM OF THE SEAS
Royal Caribbean said Thursday that Quantum of the Seas will begin offering three- and four-night cruises starting Dec. 1.
He said the ship will feature an improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, which will continuously supply “100% fresh filtered air” from outside the ship to replace the air used on board the ship.
In its press release, Royal Caribbean says that air on Quantum of the Seas “never recirculates between spaces.”
“While the cruise experience will be different than it was before the pandemic, we are committed to providing the exclusive Royal Caribbean vacations that guests know and love, while keeping the health and safety of everyone on board as our top priority. “Royal Caribbean International said. Managing Director Angie Stephen.
Royal Caribbean is also providing “COVID-19 protections” to passengers, including a 100% credit towards a future cruise in the event that a guest or any member of their travel group tests positive for COVID-19 during the previous three weeks. to your booked cruise.
Full refunds will be provided if a guest, or any member of their tour group, tests positive during the cruise, he added.
“Royal Caribbean will cover COVID-19 related costs up to S $ 25,000 per person in the travel group for medical costs on board, any required quarantines and the trip home,” he said.
CRUISESAFE CERTIFICATION
To ensure safe sailing, STB is developing a mandatory CruiseSafe certification program.
The program establishes strict hygiene and safety measures throughout the passenger’s journey, from before boarding to after disembarking.
“STB’s CruiseSafe was created in consultation with the industry and is benchmarked against global health and safety standards,” said STB.
“Singapore is one of the first countries in the world to develop and implement a mandatory audit and certification program for cruise lines before they can start sailing.”
Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International were approved for the pilot as they have demonstrated the ability to implement strict protocols and precautionary measures as part of their CruiseSafe certification, STB said.
Before sailing, all cruise lines departing from Singapore are required to obtain CruiseSafe certification, which requires independent evaluation by an external certification company.
CruiseSafe standards include:
1. Infection control measures at all stages of a passenger’s journey, including a mandatory COVID-19 test prior to boarding
2. Strict and frequent cleaning and disinfection protocols on board
3. Safe management measures aligned with the national policy in force at the time of navigation
4. Ensure 100% pure air throughout the boat
5. Reduction of the ship’s capacity to allow a sufficient safe distance
6. Establish measures on board to discourage close contact and mixing between groups.
7. Emergency response plans for incidents related to COVID-19
Pilot cruises must comply with the safe management measures in force, such as the use of masks and a safe distance of 1 m.
Regular onboard inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance, with cruise lines failing to comply with regulations and subject to penalties including fines, travel suspension, and revocation of CruiseSafe certification.
According to STB, the crew members of these cruises are subject to strict measures beyond the current Singapore requirements for cross-border travel.
Crew members who need to enter Singapore must first spend 14 days in isolation in their home country and must test negative for COVID-19 prior to departure.
They will also be tested upon arrival in Singapore and will receive a 14-day stay-at-home notice. They will be retested at the end of the reporting period and will be subject to routine testing once travel begins.
