It has been less than a week since Royal Caribbean announced its first cruise ship would restart cruises in Singapore, and demand for these sailings is already off to a great start.
The Strait Times reports while Royal Caribbean has not provided exact booking numbers, demand has "exceeded expectations".
Royal Caribbean will begin sailing with Quantum of the Seas on cruises with no port stops, which are also limited to residents of Singapore. These 3- and 4-night sailings begin on December 1, 2020 from Singapore.
The cruise line did confirm that demand for these new sailings are up 500% compared to the previous two weeks, and the first sailing on Quantum of the Seas is almost sold out.
Royal Caribbean Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Angie Stephen, believes the new bookings reflect the public's "pent-up desire to travel".
She said the four-night cruise sailing every Thursday evening is particularly attractive, as guests need to take only a day off from work on Friday to enjoy a long weekend on the cruise.
Royal Caribbean has received permission from the Singapore government to conduct these sailings, which are pilot cruises that must meet all requirements and guidelines for safe cruising.
These first Quantum of the Seas cruises are round-trip cruises from Singapore with no port stops. They are also sailing at reduced capacity of up to 50%, and open to only residents of Singapore.
When cruises resume in Singapore, a variety of comprehensive new health protocols will be implemented onboard Quantum of the Seas including:
- Testing and screening
- Upgraded Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems that enhance filtration
- Stringent cleaning practices
- Reduced capacities for greater physical distancing
- Expert medical care and onboard facilities
These protocols will continuously be evaluated and enhanced as new procedures and advancements in technology become available.
The first sailing on Quantum of the Seas on December 1 is capped at about 1,000 guests.
