All aboard: Singapore 'cruise to nowhere' sets sail

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All aboard: Singapore 'cruise to nowhere' sets sail

Cruises were halted worldwide in March after travel restrictions kicked in due to COVID-19

Published: November 06, 2020 16:39 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Senior Web Editor

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Copy of 988195-01-02-1604666068386 — Hundreds of passengers were setting sail from Singapore Friday on a 'cruise to nowhere' with safety measures in place to prevent coronavirus outbreaks, as the industry seeks to bounce back from a pandemic-induced crunch. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 918803-01-02-1604666058395 — Cruises were halted worldwide in March after travel restrictions kicked in and several vessels were hit by major outbreaks, but have now resumed in a few places. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 918798-01-02-1604666051079 — The 'cruise to nowhere' - starting and ending at the same place, with no stops - has proved a hit, and mask-wearing passengers lined up for virus tests conducted by workers in protective suits before boarding the World Dream liner. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 918804-01-02-1604666061688 — The liner departs Friday evening into the Malacca Strait, a major shipping lane between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and will head into international waters before returning to the city-state Sunday. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988197-01-02-1604666021806 — Vinoth Arun, 27, a financial consultant accompanied by his girlfriend, was among about 1,400 passengers on board - half the ship's capacity, to ensure social distancing. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988200-01-02-1604666030310 — "The fact that you carry your luggage and you bring your passport out, I guess it's just the mindset that you're going on holiday," he told AFP. | Passengers walk toward the World Dream cruise ship docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre before its departure. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988242-01-02-1604666044618 — He felt it was safer to sail now compared with earlier this year, when cruise ships were hard hit: "Now everyone knows about Covid and they're not so nonchalant about it any more." Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988192-01-02-1604666064900 — The cruise operator, Malaysia's Genting Group, has introduced a raft of safety measures. | A set of COVID-19 coronavirus test kits is seen at the medical facility for patients onboard World Dream cruise ship. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988201-01-02-1604666034074 — Rooms and public areas are disinfected regularly, restaurants have reduced capacity, guests have to book the swimming pool in advance, while the ship's clinic is kitted out with a machine that churns out virus test results in an hour. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988196-01-02-1604666018518 — The ship also has an intensive care unit, in case anyone does contract Covid-19. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988198-01-02-1604666024635 — Despite not making any stops as a regular cruise would, there is plenty of entertainment on board such as a casino, movies, water slides and a Christmas show. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988202-01-02-1604666038191 — Accounts executive Renee Toh, 56, who was cruising with her husband and daughter, said she was excited to be able to take to the seas, and was looking forward to a 'relaxing time' with her family and having some fun at the casino. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 988199-01-02-1604666027079 — Tourism operators are rolling out new services as they struggle to survive. Image Credit: AFP

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20201106 singapore airlines — Airlines are operating 'flights to nowhere' and travel-stranded diners last month ate aboard two parked Singapore Airlines jets turned into pop-up restaurants. Image Credit: AFP

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