Lifestyle

‘Cruises To Nowhere’ From S’pore To Resume, STB Will Set Out Health & Safety Guidelines First

‘Cruises To Nowhere’ From S’pore To Resume, Chan Bros & Dream Cruises Partnering To Sell Tickets

Global leisure travel has come to a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and cruises haven’t escaped the gloom either.

Incoming cruise ships have been barred from making port calls in Singapore since 13 Mar, and our empty cruise ships have been turned into accommodation for migrant workers.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is making efforts to revive the local cruise industry, however, by resuming “cruises to nowhere” — but with the necessary health and safety precautions.

Source

‘Cruise To Nowhere’ not a new thing

The idea for cruises to the open sea, without a port of call in mind, has been around for years.

In the past, companies like Star Cruises have offered 1-day-1-night packages.

Source

Now, it looks like such cruises are the best way to resume some sort of leisure travel.

STB will ensure passengers’ safety

Singaporeans may still remember how cruise ships like the Diamond Princess in Japan became a hotbed of Covid-19 infections, thanks to the congregation of large numbers of people aboard an enclosed area.

Thus, to ensure passengers’ safety, STB will introduce a certification programme for cruise companies that intend to restart operations from Singapore, reported The Straits Times.

 

STB has appointed classification company DNV GL to create the certification programme.

Source

The certification will be measured against global health, safety and hygiene standards, and various health and safety protocols will be implemented, as well as penalties for breaches.

All cruises must be inspected and get the certification to sail out of Singapore.

Chan Bros & Dream Cruises to collaborate

If you’re wondering which travel agent will sell tickets, you may want to ask Chan Brothers Travel.

It told ST that it has partnered with Dream Cruises to market and sell these “cruises to nowhere”. However, sales haven’t started yet.

Source

Currently, Genting Cruise Lines has been operating cruises between islands in Taiwan on its Explorer Dream ship since July.

It will also start domestic cruises from China’s Hainan Island.

Baby steps to revive tourism

With the recent backlash towards Singapore Airlines’ now-scrapped “flights to nowhere”, it is uncertain whether travellers will be enthusiastic about these “cruises to nowhere”.

Since they’ve been operating in pre-Covid-19 times, perhaps tourists will be more open to the idea — after all, for cruises sometimes it’s the entertainment onboard that’s more important than the destination.

Such baby steps could be seen as a way to revive the economy while offering another option for a staycation — this time one in the open seas.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at hello@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from Intui.travel.

Julian Tay

Julian loves to tell the stories of people and places with a camera and pen. If not, he'd be at a kopitiam, stoning.

Recent Posts

4 winners split S$13M TOTO jackpot on 14 Nov, 1 winning ticket bought from Tong Aik Huat again

Tong Aik Huat also sold a winning ticket for the 21 Oct draw.

15 Nov 2024, 1:39 am

Online model seller in Japan scammed by buyer who returned different kit with pieces cut out

The seller was soured by the experience with Mercari, saying the platform only provided compensation…

14 Nov 2024, 6:57 pm

Woman in Indonesia steals formula milk by placing them between thighs

The woman walked away naturally despite the boxes between her thighs.

14 Nov 2024, 6:20 pm

Leopard in Thailand caught wriggling on zoo visitor’s pickup truck, netizens joke driver should bring it home

The leopard reportedly jumped off the truck once it saw zoo staff approaching.

14 Nov 2024, 5:53 pm

Motorist in M’sia crushed to death after container falls from trailer, lorry driver arrested

The trailer driver made a V sign for the media while being escorted to the…

14 Nov 2024, 5:42 pm