Royal Caribbean Set for International Calls on Singapore Cruises

Royal Caribbean International is adding international port calls on cruises to Singapore for the first time after restarting cruising in late 2020.

The Spectrum of the Seas begins cruising to popular destinations in Malaysia on June 30, with calls set for Penang and Kuala Lumpur on new three- and four-night itineraries.

“We are thrilled to be the first cruise line in Singapore to reconnect holidaymakers with Asia’s beautiful destinations once again. The vibrant and culture-rich cities of Penang and Kuala Lumpur have so much to offer, and that is only the beginning,” said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

“After more than two years, the excitement from guests, both locals and fly cruisers, along with our travel partners is undeniable. Singapore is a top destination in and of itself, and its proximity to neighbouring countries makes it easy to venture out and explore. There’s no better way to take full advantage of this than by taking a cruise, where guests can enjoy the ultimate combination of thrills, entertainment, dining and activities as they sail from one idyllic destination to the next on Spectrum of the Seas.”

“We have been working closely with various governments in Southeast Asia to align on cruise protocols and policies, and are excited to bring back port calls in Malaysia for sailings as a start,” said Annie Chang, Director of Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board. “Port calls will provide more vacation options and we look forward to seeing more first-time and repeat cruisers in the coming year as more ports in the region open up.”

PITCH ROYAL CARIBBEAN AND LEVI ROOTS TO EARN £200K SHARE

Independence of the Seas in Southampton photo credit Spacejunkie

Agents can earn a share of £200,000 and pitch their business idea to Dragons’ Den success story Levi Roots as part of a new trade competition launched by Royal Caribbean International.

The Royal Pitch sees agents tasked with presenting “forward-thinking concepts” to help grow their Royal Caribbean sales in order to secure a slice of the price pot.

Agents are encouraged to pitch anything from creative social marketing campaigns to introducing new technologies, with shortlisted companies pitching in-person at a series of live events.

The year-long process, open to agents who are members of a consortium, kicks off on 1 April with entrants needing to submit a video via the Club Royal website detailing their business proposal and requested investment in under five minutes.

The first day of in-person pitching will take place on 8 June at Royal Caribbean’s Weybridge office, followed by further judging rounds and a live final event during which the panel of judges determines which ideas win a share of the total prize fund.

Roots, who rose to fame with his Reggae Reggae Sauce on Dragons’ Den in 2007, will be joined by Royal Caribbean’s vice-president EMEA, Ben Bouldin, and director of sales of UK, Ireland and Spain, Stuart Byron. 

“The Royal Pitch is designed to give consortia members another avenue to help grow their business with a big idea they’re passionate about – as well as test out their pitching skills! We’re excited to meet some of the entrants and hear their forward-thinking and ingenious ideas,” said Byron.

Roots added: “I know the difference that investment can make to a business; I went from running a successful market stall in Notting Hill Carnival to a multimillion-pound business. I’m excited to take part in Royal Caribbean’s The Royal Pitch to help support consortia members grow their businesses and boost sales.”

Spectrum of the Seas to Sail From Singapore From April 2022

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.

According to the Singapore Cruise Society, booking for the program will open on Thursday, Jan. 27.

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.