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SINGAPORE – There has been a rush to hit the high seas with 13 cruise ships to nowhere in the last month.
Round-trip cruises without ports of call have carried about 30,000 passengers since Genting Cruise Line’s World Dream began rolling on Nov.6.
The trips, which are part of a pilot program announced by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in October, impose stringent security measures to keep Covid-19 at bay, including a 50 percent reduced capacity and pre-trip testing. boarding for passengers.
The two operators authorized to make such trips, Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International, told The Straits Times that the tickets were selling well.
The World Dream, which has conducted 11 cruises since its first on November 6, offers two- and three-night “Super Seacation” trips.
Genting Cruise Lines has extended the itineraries until the end of March. “More Singaporeans are becoming more aware of the beginning of World Dream’s safe pilot cruises … along with the benefits of cruises,” said Michael Goh, president of Dream Cruises and head of international sales for Genting Cruise Lines.
“Responses and inquiries remain very positive and we remain very optimistic about the growing demand during the school holidays and end of the year holidays.”
Royal Caribbean International flew a pilot cruise to nowhere on the Quantum of the Seas on November 30 and last Thursday (December 3) launched its first consumer-oriented trip since the pandemic began with a four-night getaway for 1,300 passengers. .
The ship will set sail again on Monday (December 7) on a three-night excursion with 1,700 travelers.
Angie Stephen, Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at Royal Caribbean International, noted: “Demand for our product has certainly exceeded our expectations. Singapore is a great business base and we are planning to regain confidence in the cruise industry and growing. in a safe way “.
Stephen said demand for his January-March cruises was already piling up, with more than 50 percent booked in January.
He added that many customers were families and young professionals, with the majority of the passengers being 45 years old or younger, while about 10 percent were 60 years or older.
“There is a lot of potential as we have a capacity limit of more than 2,000 guests, half of the 4,088 the ship could hold before the pandemic,” Stephen said. “As for whether more ships will be added to the sailing list, we would like to start safely and slowly, but since Royal Caribbean has the most ships in the world, there is always an opportunity.
The need to get tested for Covid-19 before boarding hasn’t put off excited travelers.
“I prefer cruises to vacations at home. With cruises, you don’t feel stuck on the island, and even though there are no ports of call, there are plenty of things to do on the ship,” said Ricky Goh, 29. . who has been on two cruises on the World Dream.
“Going for a run on the deck of a ship and watching the sunrise from the sea are not things you can do from a hotel room.
Retiree Nishith Kumar, 66, “can’t wait” to set sail on Quantum of the Seas in January with his wife and 33-year-old son.
He said: “It will be my pleasure to travel once again with my family … I am looking forward to exploring the ship, relaxing and breathing some fresh ocean air.”
The STB said in October that passengers must wear masks and observe a safe distance, while cruise lines must be audited and receive CruiseSafe certification.
“The government will carefully monitor the results of the pilots’ voyages in the coming months before deciding the next steps for the cruises,” said Annie Chang, director of cruises at STB.
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