No reason not to cruise

FOLLOWING Cruise Weekly’s profiling yesterday of Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI) restart in Singapore (CW yesterday), hordes from within the industry have pondered why a similar feat is not possible around the wider APAC region.

The New Zealand Cruise Association drew the attention of its social media followers on Facebook and LinkedIn to CW’s story, with the hashtag #restartcruise posing the question of why a Singapore-style season would not be possible in their country - an opportunity the New Zealand Government inexplicably shut down on the doorstep of the commencement of Ponant’s season.

However, Royal Caribbean Cruises VP & MD Gavin Smith warned that although the cruise company was discussing the pathway back to service with the Australian Govt, as well as the states and territories, it would not be as simple as importing RCI’s Singaporean measures.

“Continuous innovation is vital,” Smith told Cruise Weekly.

“While some protocols, like the advanced HVAC filtration systems, will be here to stay, we’ll refine others based on needs specific to Australia and requirements from the local and federal government.

“We’ll adapt as more information emerges and technology – like vaccines – progresses even further.”

Smith noted working closely with Singapore’s authorities, including the Ministry of Health and the Singapore Tourism Board, had also been key, building on what MD APAC Angie Stephen told CW yesterday.

“We’re working towards that level of collaboration in Australia,” Smith enthused.