Singapore to resume cruises in November

Two companies have been approved to operate the famous “cruises to nowhere” with enhanced safety protocols.

Singapore.- The Singapore Tourism Board has granted two cruise lines permission to resume their “cruises to nowhere” as of November.  

The excursions offer round trips of attractions without entering any other ports. Cruise ships will also have to operate at a maximum of 50 per cent capacity.  

Pilot trips with enhanced safety protocols will aim to gradually re-introduce this activity as pandemic-related restrictions are eased.  

Genting Cruise Lines’ World Dream and Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum have both passed the mandatory CruiseSafe certification programme, which sets out hygiene and safety measures for the journey.

Genting’s pilot trip will take place on November 6, while Royal Caribbean’s will sail sometime in December.  

The tourism board added: “The government will monitor the outcomes of the pilot sailings carefully in the coming months before deciding on the next steps for cruises.” 

it said: “As the lead coordinator for cruises in ASEAN, Singapore aims to set a benchmark for the future of cruising in the region with the development of CruiseSafe standards.  

“Singapore also remains confident of the long-term potential of cruising. Given our cruise industry’s strong fundamentals, we expect cruise performance to rebound when international travel recovers.”  

To prepare for the eventual recovery of the cruise industry, STB has also partnered with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Travel Weekly Asia to hold a series of training webinars for regional travel agents under the ambit of CruiseWorld Asia 2020.