Singapore launches ‘cruises to nowhere’ for locals eager for travel

Say goodbye to flights to nowhere – cruises to nowhere are set to be the new trend in Covid-conscious travel.

Singapore has revealed plans to offer leisure cruises that won’t stop at any ports, set to begin in November 2020.

The national tourism board of Singapore has teamed up with two cruise lines for the initial voyages, selecting Genting Cruise Lines’ World Dream and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas as the first ships to participate.

This cruise will offer a unique experience, quite different from your standard maritime trip.

To maintain strict hygiene measures, cruises will depart and return to the same location with no stops at any ports. Ships will operate at a maximum of 50% capacity, and only Singapore residents will be allowed to board.

Keith Tan, CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board, stated, 'This pilot cruise offers a valuable opportunity for cruise operators to reinvent the cruising experience and regain passengers' trust.'

In addition to limiting passenger numbers and eliminating shore excursions, the cruises will adhere to rigorous sanitation protocols. Passengers must present a negative Covid-19 test before boarding, and fresh air will be circulated throughout the ship. Masks are required in public spaces outside staterooms.

Boarding and disembarking will be carefully staggered to minimize crowding.

The same stringent rules apply to the crew. All staff will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Singapore, undergo regular Covid-19 testing, and isolate in their home countries before traveling.

The inaugural 'cruise to nowhere' on the World Dream will set sail on November 6, while the Quantum of the Seas will depart in December.

Details on pricing and onboard facilities for Singapore’s two cruises are yet to be revealed. However, if the popularity of recent 'flights to nowhere' is any indication, tickets could sell out fast. For instance, Qantas’s seven-hour flights with no destination were fully booked in just ten minutes.

It's clear that travelers are eager for new experiences while borders remain closed and planes stay grounded. For example, Singapore Airlines is hosting a pop-up restaurant aboard a jet parked at Changi Airport.