Shreya NairA cruise trip could be Singapore’s first step to resuming leisure travel. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is designing a health and safety framework that will allow “cruises to nowhere” departing from Singapore.
The STB assigned classification society DNV GL Singapore to create a cruise compliance audit and certification program. This is for cruise lines that want to resume sailing from Singapore.
Straits Times reported that the STB plans to allow “cruises to nowhere” to sail out of Singapore with the capacity of the cruise ship limited to 50 percent of its original for the first three months of sailing.
Also read: Malaysia, Singapore Discuss Leisure Travel Plans Starting Early 2021
Health and Safety Standards
To prepare for these sailings, STB is working with DNV GL to establish a cruise certification program. These will aim to surpass global health, safety, and hygiene standards. DNV GL was chosen over three bidders. They will establish a set of health and safety protocols, conduct compliance audits, and certify cruise ships that will meet the set requirements.
All cruise lines will be audited and receive Singapore’s certification before they sail out of their ports. Inspectors will also conduct safety checks on board the ships before they set sail. This will go on for the first three months.
The certification for each ship will serve as a quality mark to assure passengers that the cruise has met their safety standards, stated Ms. Annie Chang, STB’s cruise director.
However, Singaporeans who receive the $100 SingapoRedicovers vouchers will not be able to redeem them for the cruises. These vouchers can only be used for hotel stays, attraction tickets, and tours, stated Ms. Chang.
Cruise Industry on “Cruises to Nowhere”
Also read: Singaporeans 18 and Above Will Get $100 Tourism Vouchers For Local Use
Straits Times reported that Chan Brothers Travel will be partnering with Dream Cruises to market and sell “cruises to nowhere” from Singapore. These cruise sails are yet to launch.
Ships will feature upgraded air filtration systems, changes to dining configurations, and other health and safety measures when they resume service, said Ms. Angie Stephen, Royal Caribbean Group’s Asia-Pacific managing director.
Ms. Stephen also said that there aren’t any current plans to resume international itineraries from Singapore. However, they will be working closely with local authorities to implement necessary requirements and safety standards.
Ms. Alicia Seah from Dynasty Travel also stated that they are looking at working together with cruise lines to develop “cruises to nowhere”.
She also added that cruises would be an attractive offer during the holiday period. The prices also have to be just as affordable to overpower the abundance of staycation vouchers on land.
