There has been plenty of “cruise to nowhere” buzz lately, but I had always dissed the idea. What could I possibly get out of sleeping on a cruise ship that didn’t go to another destination? Wouldn’t we get bored being stuck on a ship in the ocean? Would it be safe amidst a global pandemic? And how would I cope with having to take that dreaded PCR test before sailing?
In a normal year, Royal Caribbean operates 24 cruise ships around the world; until recently, though, they’ve all been idle. However, thanks to Singapore’s fabulous safety measures around COVID-19, the company has come up with a way of taking passengers on one of its fleet, the Quantum of the Seas.
It’s called the Ocean Getaway, and it’s available for two, three or four nights. We went for the four-night option – easily our longest holiday in a year! After booking, I downloaded the Royal Caribbean app and created an account.
The ship sets sail from Singapore at around 9pm (boarding is from 2pm). At the end of the cruise, it returns in the morning, docking at around 6am. Check-out is staggered from 6.30am to 10.30am.
Safety measures
A full PCR test is needed for the cruise – it was the part we were all dreading! A couple of weeks before our scheduled departure, the invitation came to arrange a time at a testing centre in Raffles City for our swab test. You need to take the test a couple of days before sailing. It was uncomfortable, but better than I expected – a little like the “nose freeze” you get after eating too much wasabi! The results came back within 24 hours by email; certificates are accessed via a weblink or app.
This story is from the May 2021 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2021 edition of EL Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Start the Day Right
Rise and shine! From a trendy neighbourhood café and bistro to a brunch option that lets you still have a lie-in, Singapore's breakfast scene is buzzing. Here are a couple of our favourite tables!
A Magical FOREST
Expat Living's MELANIE LAM heads to a small Japanese island for hiking and forest bathing in an exquisite setting.
Cool & Classy
Chic looks from Silk Walk's different collections that will keep you feeling breezy, whether it's in the Singapore sun or on a tropical holiday.
Ankle Agony!
Our ankles are heavy lifters when it comes to keeping us up and about. So sufferers of ankle osteoarthritis know only too well how debilitating it can be when this joint is affected. Here, consultant orthopaedic surgeon DR KEVIN KOO gives advice on symptoms, causes and treatments to ease this painful condition.
Smiles for Miles!
Early intervention dental care is in demand, and treatment options now go well beyond traditional braces.
Harnessing Art for Therapy & Growth
A look at a non-verbal therapy that helps patients navigate the complexities of trauma and aids in personal development.
Profile: Danielle Van de Velde
Tapping into Singapore's spiritual side.
Walking to Help: The MacRitchie Challenge
Since early 2023, British expat TOM PLATTS has been doing a great job raising money for the Singapore charity Dementia Singapore. What's even more impressive is that he's done it in a healthy, social and fun way!
WHAT'S YOUR HYDRATION SITUATION?
When it comes to the elixir of life, the debate between spring and filtered water has long been a topic of discussion.
Protecting Children Online
SARAH and BO from Tekkie Help take you through the steps of using Apple's Family Sharing to configure devices to create a secure online environment for your children while effectively maintaining healthy screen time habits.