| Partnership key to Singapore restart

ROYAL Caribbean Cruises (RCL) Managing Director Asia Pacific Angie Stephen (pictured) has told Cruise Weekly the company’s relationship with the Singapore Tourism Board has been key in restarting cruise operations in the Lion City.

Since Royal Caribbean International resumed sailings in Dec (CW 04 Dec 2020), more than 35,000 guests have sailed on almost 30 sailings, with no positive coronavirus cases, which Stephen said is in large part thanks to the support of Singapore’s destination management organisation.

“Keeping communication lines open with the local authorities and the Singapore Tourism Board has been vital,” Stephen told Cruise Weekly.

“The Singapore authorities have been incredibly supportive of these sailings, and that comes down to a mix of transparent communication and a responsible approach, guided by science.”

“Our work with them has provided an aspirational model for similar partnerships in other countries.”

Stephen said RCL is “definitely” exploring how it can emulate the success of its collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board with others around the world as it pushes for restarts across the globe.

In addition to RCL’s Healthy Sail Panel, she also paid tribute to Singapore’s tourism industry for helping tempt travellers back onto the company’s ships.

“The local travel trade do a spectacular job of communicating the cruise experience to guests,” she said.

“The education and insight they offer is so important at this time, especially for new cruisers who might be filled with a bit of trepidation.

“They have been instrumental in our return, and we are incredibly grateful for their commitment and expertise.”

Stephen added although some of RCL’s Singapore measures will translate into other markets, each region – such as Australia – has different needs.