A resurgence in Covid-19 cases has led to the suspension of cruising out of Taiwan and a host of new restrictions on ships operating out of Singapore.
The new measures that have come without warning will have a strong impact on the Asian cruise operations of Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Group.
Both Taiwan and Singapore, which had largely eradicated any community spread of the coronavirus, saw numbers suddenly spike from the beginning of May.
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center suspended the domestic cruises operated by Genting brand Dream Cruises’ 75,300-gt cruiseship Explorer Dream (built 1999) for a three-week period from 12 May.
The halt came just days after the vessel’s crew began receiving vaccinations in Keelung.
Similarly, a sudden surge of cases in Singapore led to its Covid-19 taskforce announcing a month-long partial lockdown, referred to as a “heightened alert phase”. The measures went into effect on Sunday.
New restrictions in Singapore included further capacity cuts at public venues, limiting social gatherings to a maximum of two people, and a dine-in ban at food outlets.
As Singapore’s CruiseSafe protocols incorporate its land-based social-distancing and testing protocols, the new measures announced last Friday have had a significant impact onboard the the two Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean International cruiseships currently operating cruises to nowhere from its port.
The cruiseships are still allowed to operate — for now, at least — but their passenger capacity, already reduced to 50%, has been slashed to a mere 25%.
In a statement sent to TradeWinds on Monday, Genting outlined further restrictions implemented on its 150,600-gt World Dream (built 2017).
Dine-in service at onboard restaurants has been suspended, leaving passengers only with take-away and room-service options.
In addition, outdoor activities or any activities without facemasks have been suspended.
“Permitted on-board activities will continue to be available and operate at reduced capacity with enhanced social distancing and safe measures for guests’ enjoyment,” Genting said.
Passengers put off by the prospects of eating takeaway meals in cabins, and not being able to use the pool or mingle with family members or friends, have the option of moving their cruise to another date, or obtain a full refund.
Similar measures have been put in place on Royal Caribbean’s 169,000-dwt Quantum of the Seas (built 2014).
Both ships had been sailing at close to their maximum permitted capacities prior to Singapore going on heightened alert.
