It looks like cooped-up Singaporeans can’t wait to go on a holiday – even if it is to nowhere!
There was such a rush to get in first when Genting Cruise Lines released its latest “cruises to nowhere” itineraries that the line chalked up 6000 bookings in just five days.
“The response has been overwhelming. We call it a ‘superstaycation’ because we offer all three meals, outdoor activities like waterslides and rock climbing and even a Christmas musical.
“It’s a complete holiday experience. The ship itself is the destination,” said Michael Goh, head of international sales at Genting Cruise Lines.
Cruises in Singapore have been suspended since March when the pandemic hit and most Singaporeans have been working from home.
Genting is offering a total of 23 sailings of two to three nights with no ports of call in November and December with the first sailing on World Dream departing on 6 November.
Royal Caribbean also said that demand for short cruises to nowhere has “exceeded expectations” and its first sail on 1 December is almost sold out.
RCL will start sailing from Singapore on two, three and four-night itineraries on Quantum of the Seas from 1 December.
Angie Stephen, managing director of RCL operations in Asia Pacific said that the surge in bookings is due to “the pent-up desire to travel.”
She said that RCL’s four-night itinerary departing every Thursday, has attracted a lot of interest as guests need to take only a day off from work on Friday to enjoy a long weekend on the cruise.
All passengers will have to observe social distancing and wear face masks during the cruise.
A mandatory COVID-19 test will be conducted on all passengers before embarkation.
Genting was one of the first lines to restart cruising in Asia with Explorer Dream starting operations in Taiwan on July 26.
