One of my biggest fears of taking my first-ever cruise to nowhere was that I would actually enjoy it.<\/p>\n
While I've for the longest time dismissed cruises as a poor alternative to \"real\" travelling, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that cruise aficionados had long known: cruises aren't just for retirees who had given up on adventure, harassed parents with kids, buffet addicts and die-hard gamblers.<\/p>\n
A recent trip on the Spectrum Of The Seas confirmed my worst fears. After two nights on Royal Caribbean's superlative-laden ship, I realised cruises to nowhere are an ideal way to break out of a two-year isolation, especially for those still worried about getting Covid-19 while on holiday.<\/p>\n
In fact, only vaccinated people are allowed on board and everyone has to clear an antigen rapid test before sailing.<\/p>\n
\"It's the ultimate travel bubble,\" quips Royal Caribbean's Asia-Pacific vice-president and managing director Angie Stephen over lunch.<\/p>\n
True. You could even call it a staycation-plus, with the pluses coming from the plethora of options for dining and activities, the space to wander around and the ever-present view of the expanse of sea.<\/p>\n
After two years of being stuck in Singapore, that alone is a far bigger deal than you might think.<\/p>\n
Of course, it helps to hit the high seas on the three-year-old Spectrum, which officially arrived this month in Singapore, which it will make its home port.<\/p>\n
The 350m-long ship boasts several firsts in the cruise operator's fleet. Apart from skydiving and surfing simulators, it also offers a bungee-trampoline adventure and a Singapore Flyer-like ride in a glass capsule 100m above sea level.<\/p>\n
Spectrum also has more suites than usual - some 140 suites clustered in a \"suite club\" at the bow, with exclusive lounges. Despite their price, anywhere from 1 times that of the usual staterooms, they sell out fast, according to the company.<\/p>\n
I get a sneak peek of the biggest suite - a two-deck, 260 sq m Ultimate Family Suite that boasts jaw-dropping features such as a mini private cinema, a large balcony with a bathtub, a massive bathroom with a spa-like shower, and a slide for kids to scoot down to the first floor.<\/p>\n
Apart from a multi-deck main dining hall, the ship packs more than 10 restaurants, with several bars, lounges and snack stops.<\/p>\n
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New cruise to nowhere: All aboard Royal Caribbean's travel bubble on the high seas - The Straits Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of my biggest fears of taking my first-ever cruise to nowhere was that I would actually enjoy it. While I've for the longest time dismissed cruises as a poor alternative to \"real\" travelling, I've always had a sneaking suspicion that cruise aficionados had long known: cruises aren't just for retirees who had given up on adventure, harassed parents with kids, buffet addicts and die-hard gamblers Continue reading