Back to 2: Singapore restricts group size and dining onboard cruise ships
UPDATE (FEBRUARY 2023): With the lowering of Singapore’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) to GREEN LEVEL as of February 2023, the preventive measures and/or testing requirements mentioned within this article are no longer in effect. Guests are advised to enquire with the respective cruise lines for updated Testing, Vaccination Requirements and Preventive Measures.
THE QUANTUM OF THE SEAS AND WORLD DREAM ARE THE ONLY TWO CRUISE SHIPS OPERATING OUT OF SINGAPORE RIGHT NOW PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
The Singapore Government has announced yet another tightening of measures to stem the current growth of COVID-19 cases in Singapore. Friday evening’s announcement by the Multi-Ministry Task Force changes the current restrictions that have been in place since August 2021. The changes will take effect on 27 September 2021, and are currently expected to last until 24 October 2021.
Royal Caribbean International - Quantum of the Seas
In response, Royal Caribbean has issued a new change in Safe Management Measures (SMMs) and restrictions onboard for future sailings onboard Quantum of the Seas with effect from Monday 27th September 2021 till 24th October 2021. (The changes were shared with guests via email, which states the following changes:)
The new onboard protocols, as shared from Royal Caribbean, are listed as follows:
All guests are required to remain in groups of 2 while enjoying onboard public spaces, including restaurants and theatres.
Families from the same household may have more than 2 guests in their stateroom, but must adhere to groups of 2 while in public spaces.
Dining in our restaurants is only available if all guests are vaccinated.
Unvaccinated children under 12 may be included in the group of 2 if from the same household
Regrettably, dining in our restaurants is not available for unvaccinated guests over the age of 12 years. Room service and takeaway options will be provided
In addition to a negative PCR test for Covid-19, we have implemented ART testing at the terminal as part of the check-in process. This provides an additional layer of safety which is also deemed as PET testing (Pre-Event Testing) to enable unvaccinated guests to dine in restaurants in the first night of the cruise
THE WINDJAMMER MARKETPLACE ON QUANTUM OF THE SEAS PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Guests will be required to provide their vaccination status via the ‘TraceTogether’ app, HealthHub mobile app, or provide their original hard copy vaccination card issued by the Ministry of Health to verify their vaccination status.
The wristband differentiation system for vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests will still be implemented during this period with fully vaccinated guests being issued one upon check-in to allow them to access select areas onboard.
However, two versions of the mail were sent out with regards to cancellation policies, however, we are still trying to confirm which departures have received which of the two variations below:
“If your traveling party is larger than 2, click here if you’d like to cancel your cruise and receive a Future Cruise Credit to use on a sailing departing on or before 31 December 2022 (cruise must be booked on or before 30 April 2022.) If you prefer to call us, please call +65 6305 0033 for any additional questions but know hold times may be longer than expected.”
“If your traveling party is larger than 2 and you’d like to make alternate travel arrangements, please call us at +65 6305 0033 for your options.”
Dream Cruises - World Dream
THE WORLD DREAM PHOTO: SINGAPORE CRUISE SOCIETY
Dream Cruises published a notice with the latest updated measures and policies for World Dream in line with the new prevailing national guidelines.
Travelling Group Size o Traveling groups will be limited to 2 guests per cabin for sailings departing from 26 September – 24 October 2021.
Guests of the same household with bookings for more than 2 guests per cabin may opt to continue cruise with proof of valid documentation of the individuals’ household details. Kindly be advised guests are to comply with the current national guidelines and ensure accurate household details are provided to the cruise line.
Guests associated with any recent active COVID-19 clusters in Singapore, including close contacts of these individuals, as well as individuals placed on a Stay Home Notice, Leave of Absence or issued a Quarantine Order, as well as those under Health Risk Warning or Health Risk Alert will be prohibited from cruising. Affected guests will be required to postpone their cruise or receive a future cruise credit via their original booking source.
Kindly be informed starting from 27 September – 24 October 2021, the number of maximum guests per table will be reduced from 5 guests to 2 guests per table for dine-in at the on board restaurants based on the following guidelines:
Up to 11:00am of the Second Day of the cruise: All guests (regardless of vaccination status) will continue to have access to dine-in options at the on board restaurants on the first day, as well as the morning of the second day (up to 11:00am) of the cruise, having undergone the mandatory pre-boarding Antigen Rapid Test (ART).
From 11:01am onwards of the second day of the cruise: ONLY guests that have been fully vaccinated with more than 2 weeks after their second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech / Comirnaty / Moderna / WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL) vaccines (such as Sinovac-CoronaVac, Sinopharm and AstraZeneca) are allowed to dine-in at the on board restaurants, including unvaccinated children aged 12 years or below from the same household.
Dine-in options at on board restaurants are presently not available for non-fully vaccinated guests from 11:01am onwards of the second day of the cruise due to prevailing national guidelines. For the comfort and convenience of our non-fully vaccinated guests, take-away and room service options will be made available, featuring a wide variety of exciting Asian, international and Halal cuisine
Permitted onboard activities will continue to operate at reduced capacity and with enhanced social safe distancing measures
Its cancellation policy also does not provide an option for a full refund.
Transfer Cruise OR Opt for a Future Cruise Credit
Affected guests may choose to transfer to another cruise date or opt for a future cruise credit of the full amount of their cruise (Paid Cabin Fare + Paid Port Charges, as applicable) to be redeemed for another World Dream voyage departing from Singapore between 27 October 2021 - 30 March 2022. Please contact your original travel office or agency by 15 October 2021 for available options (Subject to cabin availability).
The new cruise booking fare will be based on prevailing rates.
Affected guests will be required to top up the difference for new bookings made with a longer cruise itinerary or with a higher fare / port charge. If the new cruise fare / port charge is lower, the difference will be refunded via onboard credits.
Administrative fees shall apply for any change(s) to the guest name.
Please note for affected Genting Rewards members who are sailing using Genting Points or cabin promotions, please contact our Genting Rewards members’ customer service hotline
Keeping you updated
As prevailing measures do change constantly, do check with your respective travel agents or with the cruise lines directly. We will be onboard Quantum of the Seas on Monday for another review, so stay tuned - if you are still wondering if you should keep your cruise.
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