Cruises now a popular vacation option for Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR: For the fourth time in two years, Royal Caribbean International will be the official cruise partner for the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Fair 2018 next month.
Over the past two years, there has been growing interest in the cruise products offered by Royal Caribbean, says Royal Caribbean Cruises (Asia Pacific) managing director Angie Stephen.
She said the trend was evident as the company had been doing better at MATTA Fair every year with more bookings coming in.
“I think the cruise sector is growing. There’s a huge potential there,” said MATTA CEO Phua Tai Neng.
“From our experience at the fair, cruise holidays are really catching up among Malaysians and even expats working in Malaysia. As Angie said, it’s also very good for family holidays,” said Phua.
Visitors will be delighted to learn that Royal Caribbean is offering special deals for the Voyager of the Seas’ South-East Asian season from next month till June 2019, with over 70 sailings from Singapore.
There are three packages: a four-night cruise to Penang and Phuket with multiple dates from March to June 2019; a five-night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) with an overnight stay on Jan 28, and a seven-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang, Langkawi and Phuket (overnight) on Jan 7 and March 4 2019.
Additionally, Royal Caribbean will also be offering sailings of their revolutionary ship Spectrum of the Seas from Singapore.
The three itineraries are: a three-night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang on May 18, 2019); a four-night cruise to Penang on May 21, 2019; and a nine-night one-way cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, calling at Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Hong Kong (with an overnight stay) on May 25, 2019.
“The cruise product is very worth it. Even with a budget of about RM1,000 to RM 1,500, you can get an all-inclusive holiday,” said MATTA exco (cruise industry) Kenny Cheong.
Although taking a cruise is still a new vacation option, it is becoming popular among Malaysians.
“While we’ve doubled the number of Malaysians booking our cruises, it’s still new. People need to understand how hassle-free it is.
“You don’t have to do anything except enjoy and have fun with whoever you’re sailing with,” said Stephen.
Visitors can visit the Royal Caribbean booths at Hall 3 at MATTA Fair, which will be held from Sept 7 to 9 (10am-9pm) at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Admission is RM4 per person and free for children aged below 12.