2 cruise lines allowed to offer Singapore residents 'cruises to nowhere' from November
SINGAPORE: Two cruise lines will exist allowed to offer Singapore residents "cruises to nowhere" from November, under a pilot scheme with enhanced safety protocols and mandatory COVID-nineteen testing for both crew and passengers.
Genting Prowl Lines' World Dream volition starting time offering those cruises on Nov six, while Purple Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas will begin sailing in December, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in a press release on Thursday (Oct 8).
The two vessels, whose domicile ports are in Singapore, are part of a pilot scheme that volition allow circular-trips with no ports of phone call at a maximum capacity of 50 per cent merely to Singapore residents, said STB.
READ: Will you ever be able to go along a cruise once more? Here'south what travel analysts say
"The Government will monitor the outcomes of the pilot sailings advisedly in the coming months earlier deciding on the next steps for cruises," said STB.
SUPER SEACATION ON Globe DREAM
In a press release on Thursday, Dream Cruises, which is owned by Genting Cruise Lines, said that information technology has "completely re-examined and enhanced all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols" in accordance with the local authorities' strict guidelines including stringent health screening processes.
"We are delighted to be the first cruise ship to restart operations here in Singapore and to give a much needed boost to the local tourism industry," said Dream Cruises president Michael Goh.
"We are able to provide Singapore residents with more vacation options beyond land-based resorts and we promise to bring back the joy of cruising with safety existence paramount," he added.
The World Dream will offer "Super Seacation" cruise packages for two or 3 nights.
STB principal executive Keith Tan said that public health and safety was the say-so's utmost priority, even as information technology reopened various sectors of the economic system.
"We are glad to work with Genting Prowl Lines on the cruise airplane pilot with a focus on the necessary safe direction measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew," he said.
"COVID-19 PROTECTIONS" FOR Quantum OF THE SEAS
Regal Caribbean said on Thursday that Quantum of the Seas will start offer three- and iv-night cruises from December 1.
It said that the vessel will feature an upgraded heating, ventilation and ac (HVAC) system, which will continuously supply "100% fresh, filtered air" from exterior the ship to replace used air onboard the vessel.
In its press release, Royal Caribbean says that the air on Quantum of the Seas is "never re-circulated betwixt spaces".
A compliance audit will be conducted past appointed certification torso DNV GL prior to sailing to ensure that STB's CruiseSafe standards are met, board manager Annie Chang said in response to CNA's queries.
"While the prowl experience will exist different than it was pre-pandemic, we are committed to providing the signature Royal Caribbean holiday that guests know and love, while keeping the health and safety of everyone onboard equally our summit priority," said Royal Caribbean International'south managing manager Angie Stephen.
Royal Caribbean is also providing "COVID-19 protections" to passengers, including 100 per cent credit towards a futurity cruise should a guest or any member of their travel political party examination positive for COVID-19 during the three weeks prior to their booked cruise.
Full refunds will be provided if a invitee, or any member of their travel party, tests positive during the cruise, it added.
"Royal Caribbean volition cover COVID-19 related costs upward to S$25,000 per person in the travel party for onboard medical costs, whatsoever required quarantine and travel home," it said.
CRUISESAFE CERTIFICATION
To provide assurance for safe cruising, a mandatory CruiseSafe certification programme is being adult past STB.
The programme sets out stringent hygiene and safety measures throughout the passenger journey – from prior to boarding, to after disembarkation.
"STB'due south CruiseSafe was created in consultation with the industry and is benchmarked confronting global wellness and safety standards," said STB.
"Singapore is one of the first countries in the world to develop and implement a mandatory audit and certification programme for prowl lines before they tin commence sailings."
Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International were canonical for the pilot as they have demonstrated the ability to put in identify stringent protocols and precautionary measures as part of their CruiseSafe certification, said STB.
Prior to sailing, all prowl lines sailing out of Singapore must obtain the CruiseSafe certification, which requires contained assessment by a 3rd-party certification firm.
The CruiseSafe standards include:
1. Infection control measures at every phase of a passenger'south journey, including a mandatory COVID-19 test prior to boarding
two. Strict and frequent cleaning and sanitisation protocols onboard
three. Safe management measures aligned with prevailing national policy at the time of sailing
4. Ensuring 100 per cent fresh air throughout the ship
five. Reducing transport capacity to enable sufficient safe distancing
vi. Setting upwards onboard measures to discourage shut contact and inter-mingling between groups
7. Emergency response plans for incidents relating to COVID-nineteen
Pilot cruises will accept to comply with prevailing safe management measures, such every bit mask-wearing and 1m-safe distancing.
Regular inspections will exist conducted onboard to ensure compliance, with non-compliant cruise lines subjected to penalties including fines, interruption of sailings and revocation of CruiseSafe certification.
In the result that a COVID-19 case is detected on lath the send, affected passengers and crew, as well every bit their shut contacts, will be isolated immediately, Ms Chang said.
"Deep cleaning on board the transport will be carried out in accordance with guidelines, and leisure activities on-board volition stop immediately," she told CNA.
She added that COVID-19 tests are able to be carried out on board cruise ships.
With short itineraries and no port of calls, "the likelihood of an outbreak is assessed to be low given that all passengers and crew are tested".
"With the appropriate ... measures in identify, such cruises are no less safe compared to other activities and settings that have since resumed," Ms Chang said.
"Contingency plans are in identify in the unlikely event of an outbreak and this includes the send returning to Singapore so passengers tin can disembark and medical back up tin can be provided immediately if necessary."
According to STB, crew members on these cruises are subjected to stringent measures beyond Singapore'southward prevailing requirements for cross-border travel.
Crew members who need to enter Singapore must first undergo fourteen days isolation in their home country and must test negative for COVID-xix before their departure.
They will as well exist tested on arrival in Singapore and serve a 14-twenty-four hours stay-home discover. They will be tested again at the terminate of the detect period, and be subject area to routine tests once sailings brainstorm.
Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/covid-19-genting-royal-caribbean-cruise-nowhere-stb-tourism-190591
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