Covid-19 has smacked the travel industry so hard in the face, it would probably take some time for the industry to recover.
As a result, many airlines across the world have had to significantly scale down operations or even shut down altogether.
Last month, Singapore Airlines flirted with the idea of ‘flights to nowhere’ but soon dropped it after several factors were considered, such as financial viability, the attractiveness to members of the public and environmental impacts. The airline will instead offer dining experiences in planes, tours and delivery services.
If you were one of those disappointed by the cancellation of ‘flights to nowhere’, then we have some good news for you!
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has announced that it is looking to launch ‘cruises to nowhere’ as part of efforts to resume leisure travel.
They did not specify when these cruises would begin, but a S$145,000 contract has been awarded to Norway’s DNV GL to establish a cruise certification program benchmarked against global health, safety and hygiene standards for two- to four-night voyages.
That includes cutting ship capacity by half for the first three months of operation, and all cruise ships will be audited, certified and inspected for three months before sailing.
The global cruise industry has been severely affected by Covid-19, and studies have shown that consumers seek assurance through more stringent health regulations and higher hygiene standards. Therefore, to aid recovery efforts, STB plans to establish the certification, which is important to "restore consumer confidence".
Some cruise lines that operate in Singapore, including Norwegian, Celebrity and Princess Cruises, have voluntarily suspended their operations through at least Oct 31, with Princess Cruises announcing that it would not return to service until at least mid-December.
‘Cruises to nowhere’ seem to be a better idea than ‘flights to nowhere’. Unlike flights where the flying experience itself is not particularly enjoyable or comfortable, guests onboard a cruise can have the freedom to walk about, engage in many activities, sleep comfortably in a private room, and indulge in good food while enjoying the ocean scenery.
Speaking to The Straits Times, Chan Brothers Travel said it will be partnering Dream Cruises to market and sell ‘cruises to nowhere’, although it’s unclear when sales will be launched.
Ms Alicia Seah, director of public relations and communications at Dynasty Travel, said that making ticket prices affordable will be the key to attracting locals, adding that many of these cruises might be snapped up if they are offered during the year-end holidays.
We may not be able to travel and dock at an exotic country yet, but at least we’ll be able to enjoy the seabreeze aboard a cruise for a few days, right?
It might not be the best option, but at least it’s something for us to look forward to!