Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas will sail a program out of Singapore starting from April 2022, which is six months ahead of the previous schedule. This was reported by the Singapore Cruise Society.
The 4,200-passenger Quantum Ultra-class ship was originally poised to begin the Singapore-based season in October 2022. It was last engaged in a season of short domestic sailings to nowhere, exclusive for Hong Kong residents. But, after a mid-January update to local COVID-19 prevention policies by local authorities, the cruise line started cancelling Hong Kong voyages onboard the Spectrum.
According to Singapore Cruise Society, Spectrum’s older fleet mate, the Quantum of the Seas, which was most recently operating sailings out of Singapore, will be redeployed for a season of voyages in Alaska, starting in May.
Hong Kong has announced the introduction of new COVID-19 restrictions, which include bans on incoming flights from eight countries, weekend indoor dining, banning of all cruises and more.
The two big cruise lines that operate in Hong Kong have already reacted to the new regulations by cancelling their cruises.
Royal Caribbean Hong Kong has issued an update through their social media channels that said the Jan. 6, Jan. 9, Jan. 12, Jan. 14 and Jan. 17 cruises on the Spectrum of the Seas have all been cancelled due to the authorities’ update.
“We fully expect to welcome back our guests onboard Spectrum’s Jan. 21 cruise,” the cruise line said.
Guests affected by the cancellations are invited to either transfer to a later sailing or apply for a full refund.
Dream Cruises said it’s cancelling all itineraries between Jan. 9 and Jan. 19 due to the government directive.
Affected guests are invited to either transfer, receive a future cruise credit with additional onboard credit or cancel receiving a full monetary refund.
“This cancellation is due to the government’s directive and not as a result of any COVID-19 related incidents on board the ship,” the cruise line said.
Dream Cruises’ recently announced restart of cruises on board the Genting Dream in Hong Kong has been met with an enthusiastic response from the public, the cruise line said in a press release.
After just one week of sales since bookings officially opened on May 27, Genting Dream’s first two high seas “Super Summer Seacation” cruises departing on July 30 and Aug. 1 are close to 90 per cent while Friday night departures throughout August are at nearly 50 per cent capacity.
“We are truly grateful for the tremendous response we have received from the people of Hong Kong and we are delighted to be able to offer them a ‘Super Summer Seacation’ experience to help satisfy their craving to travel again. The interest in Genting Dream has even extended to inquiries from corporate groups, charity organizations and wedding parties who are looking at chartering the ship later in the year,” said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Lines. “Also contributing to the success of our cruises has been the backing we have received from our travel and business partners who have been a great support to Dream Cruises throughout the years.”
“Wing On Travel is excited to work with Dream Cruises to promote the restart of cruises on board the Genting Dream and have already received calls and inquiries, showing a positive response from the market,” said Lanny Leung, director & CEO of Wing On Travel. “The Genting Dream’s fantastic array of activities and facilities including live shows and music performances, Rope Course, Rock Climbing Wall and Waterslide Park will provide fun for the whole family!”
“Since the announcement of Dream Cruises’ operations, our corporate and business clients have been very interested in booking MICE itineraries onboard the Genting Dream. As well, our loyal long-haul and overseas cruise passengers who have been yearning to cruise again now have a product that will fulfil their desire to vacation on the open seas,” said Alex Lee, general manager at Miramar Travel. “Our hope is that this will help stimulate the hard-hit tourism economy and bring much-needed bookings back to travel agents who have been affected by COVID-19.”
Set to begin sailing from July 30, the Genting Dream will embark on two and three-night “Super Summer Seacations” on the high seas in time for the summer holidays in Hong Kong. The “Super Summer Seacations” will comprise of a two-night “Super Weekend Seacation”, departing Fridays, a two-night “Super Weekday Seacation” departing Wednesdays, and a three-night “Super Summer Seacation” departing Sundays.
Early bird promotional rates start at only HK1188 per person based on twin occupancy in a balcony stateroom for a two-night “Super Weekday Seacation” departing on Wednesdays. This rate will be available until mid-June.
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