Royal Caribbean has announced that Spectrum of the Seas, the first Quantum-Ultra ship, will be homeporting in Singapore from October 2022 to April 2023.

The cruise line will also require all guests 12 and older to be fully vaccinated for all new bookings made from October 1, 2021 onwards.

Spectrum first entered service in 2019, weighing 169,379 gross tons with a capacity of 4,246 at double occupancy. The ship also has 1,551 fully-vaccinated international crew members.

This new homeporting season marks the ship’s return to Singapore. She first made her debut there back in May 2019, with short sailings to Kuala Lumpur and Penang before her repositioning voyage to Shanghai.

With sailings from Australia still suspended, the news offers hope that cruise-starved travellers can head to Singapore and embark on a voyage to other Southeast Asian ports.

Currently, cruises-to-nowhere departing Singapore (on both Quantum of the Seas and World Dream) are only available to Singapore residents. As of now, the line has mentioned that Spectrum’s destination sailings are subject to approval from the Singapore authorities, based on the prevailing health situation and border measures.

It remains to be seen if measures will be eased by next year to allow for fly-cruisers from Australia and other countries.

Royal has also advertised Spectrum’s upcoming itineraries on its Malaysia Facebook page, suggesting that bookings for the vessel are open to global travellers and not restricted to Singaporeans. If quarantine-free travel between Singapore and Australia resumes next year, a Southeast Asian cruise might very well be on the cards.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to the Singapore Government for its collaboration and confidence in Royal Caribbean to deliver a safe cruising experience,” said Angie Stephen, Vice President, Singapore, Royal Caribbean International. “As we continue to evaluate and implement public health recommendations from both our Healthy Sail Panel and the local government(s), we look forward to our guests being able to explore new destinations and enjoy the great guest experience they have loved onboard Royal Caribbean.”

Spectrum begins cruises from Singapore on October 31 2022, beginning with a three-night Penang getaway. The ship will also be offering 3 to 9-night round-trip voyages from Singapore,  to the ports of Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang, Phuket, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) and Bangkok (Laem Chabang).

The itineraries:

• 3-night Penang Getaway
• 4-night Penang & Phuket
• 5-night Malaysia & Thailand (Port Klang, Penang and Phuket)
• 7-night Spice of Southeast Asia (Port Klang and Penang with an overnight in Phuket)
• 9-night Vietnam and Thailand (Nha Trang and Phu My with an overnight in Laem Chabang)

As Asia’s largest and first Quantum-Ultra ship at sea, Spectrum includes highlights such an exclusive suite neighbourhood at sea. This encompasses private dining rooms, lounges, an upscale solarium as well as three new categories of suites exclusive to Spectrum.

The Ultimate Family Suite accommodates 11 guests and is the largest suite onboard. Located on Deck 15, the two-story accommodation even includes an in-suite slide and a private cinema that doubles as a karaoke stage.

Another feature that will please adventurous cruisers is the Sky Pad, which features a VR bungee trampoline experience. Also, Expedition Two70, where guests can test their adventuring skills in four fully immersive augmented reality games. These are offered alongside favourites like the North Star observation capsule, skydiving simulator iFly and surf simulator FlowRider.

Other entertainment offerings include karaoke venue Star Moment, where one can hit the main stage or book a private room to belt out tunes with family and friends. There’s also venue Two70, which plays host to production shows with advanced robotic programming and other state-of-the-art technology.

As for dining, cruisers can sample a taste of Asia at Sichuan Red restaurant. Designed just for Spectrum, this specialty dining experience features authentic spices and delectable Asian-inspired flavors. After dinner, guests can head for a nightcap at the Bionic Bar, where custom cocktails are served by robotic bartenders.

Bookings for Spectrum of the Seas’ Southeast Asia itineraries open from 28 September, 2021 on the line’s website.