Sail n Snow

We did a cruise last Christmas and found it quite enjoyable. It was our first Christmas away from family and we couldn’t travel back to the US.  I would love to do one with our parents and kids.  I think it’s a great way to spend time together.

Day 4 is almost done!  This has been a great way to spend a few days not at home.  In Singapore we’ve gone through a lockdown and phased approach to reopening which has honestly been amazing to be part of.  As I had mentioned Singapore has essentially gone to nearly zero cases with a population of 5.7 million in fairly dense urban environment.  

Tonight’s show is John Taylor Magic Master and as we wait for it I’m writing this.  Today was partially sunny with lots of activities. 3 of us participated in the decorating cup cakes class.  Our kids liked it but I’m not sure it was worth the $30 a person. The instructors were great and helpful but it was basically a cup cake with a fondant creation on top.  I could have given the kids playdoh and done the same thing.  

I’ll find some time to post some food photos and write up of the shows after we disembark tomorrow. 

Overall it was a great time even with the social distancing rules in place.  I’m glad we had a chance to experience a cruise to nowhere.  
 

Happy Holiday’s everyone!

This morning we saw blue skies for the first time and the island of Pulau Aur in the distance. From the top deck a view of all the vessels at anchorage and our track over the past 3 days. 

Alright I got caught up this morning while having a up of coffee on the balcony. 

Day 3: Another great day at sea.  The captain is doing a great job of dodging the rain cells for the most part.  We started the day off with a 3D holiday card class and then the kids had an IFly session.  Lunch in Costal Kitchen was fantastic and so was dinner.  I made a spaci request to have the lamb shank from the MDR brought up and it was delicious.  The afternoon headliner was a comedy juggler Steve Rawlings and the evening show in Two70 was Starwater (I’ll do a review of the shows at the end).  In the Music Hall we were able to see the late cover of The BeattleManiacs.  After 8 months of not being able to see live events this alone has made this trip great.  

I’ve always been amazed at some of the art work and inspirational pieces on theses ships.  

Here’s a few of them.  

9 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

Curious if they still have the self-service coffee machines inside the Concierge Lounge...or the Diamond Lounge, if you have access?  Thank you.

 

Oh!, please tell us what they've done when using the IFly...thanks again.

The coffee machine is available in the concierge lounge but has to be operated by a staff member, same goes in Windjammer there are staff at each station serving the food to you.  This is part of Singapore’s requirements.  
 

The iFly is capacity limited to 5 or less again a Singapore requirement.  Singapore is heading into phase 3 which opens up an option to meet have  8 people over at a time or eat with 8 in a restaurant up from the current 5.  I’d assume the cruise ships sailing from Singapore will be able to adopt the same measures. 

1 minute ago, Joseph2017China said:

depends....if you have an iPhone, you can iMessage.  However, if it is multiple different phones, than it is an actual text and you would need it.  The only person I would text is my wife, and we both have iPhones.  

Yes this is only for the messaging service within the app.  Also there are so many other services you could get , WhatsApp, signal, telegram, Facebook messenger....

Hopefully it’s just a trial run and no one buys it!

16 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

My husband and I get internet packages for work so we email each other.  My phone will never be in a safe.  I heard this was only on the newer ships though?  I wonder if they are making you pay now, will this be free if you have an internet package?  I am just speculating here, no inside info.

We have the internet package and this still showed up. 

Day 2 : It’s overcast and we’re running in and out of showers this morning.  Looking at the satellite weather it’s probably going to be overcast this weekend in the South China Sea.   We ate in Coastal Kitchen for Breakfast and having Windjammer next door is great.  Went and grabbed a plate of bacon for the table.   We saw the matinee performance of Victor Stryzhak in Two70 this afternoon and once the rain cleared it was on to the flow rider.  It’s open from 10-4 daily.  The first and last half hours are for advanced only.  The rest of the time it’s all boogie boarding.  We got lucky since the rain had just recently stopped the line was short (10 people).  When we left it was over 30 and growing. One difference is the instructors have to be hands off so no help at all from them unfortunately.  Watching wipeouts is quite entertaining. 

There are lots of other activities during the day as well.  Sports court was open and several types of classes too from dance instructions to  making roses from ribbons.  So far there’s been plenty to do and eat.  I had a crab-crusted flounder for lunch that was really good. 

Watching our track on some websites we are just drawing circles in the ocean.  One major requirement from the government is to always be within 6 hours from the cruise terminal.  

Another social distancing note the show venues are seating at about 25% capacity. They have several zones and once seated you have your sea pass scanner.  When leaving your dismissed by zone as well. Oh and unfortunately no drinks allowed at this time in the shows. 

 

6 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

This does not necessarily mean they will charge for cruises sailing from other areas.  Cruises from Asia typically charge for many of the products that are complimentary elsewhere. 

Yes I would think it’s an easy option for them to turn this feature on or off as they see the need. 

So I’m currently on QoS out of Singapore on the cruise to nowhere.  
 

When you open the Royal app and go to its messaging service it’s no longer free!  
 

I don’t know if this is going to be limited to Asia routes or is a trial run but I have not seen any information on this anywhere else. 
 

Here’s a screenshot of the new page. 

42 minutes ago, masteradept said:

 

One question about the NorthStar, because I'll be cruising next week with a pair of first-timers who might want to do that, is that $40USD per person or the whole family? If it's per person that sounds really expensive...

 

 

iFly is 40 pp and North Star is 20 pp  I thought at one point both had been offered pre cruise for around the same price but in SGD which is a better deal.  
 

I agree  though North Star at 20 usd is still a lot. 

Cruise to nowhere Dec 17th - 4 Night Ocean Getaway Cruise

As soon as RC announced the resumption of cruising from Singapore we decided to use our FCC from a canceled cruise to book it. Its our first time in a one bedroom suite with a family of 4.  We sailed QoS last Christmas and really enjoyed it that time in 2 adjoining balconies.  I wanted to experience Sky class and the price difference was minimal (about $200 SGD)

Online check-in was available almost immediately due to the fact we were within 90 days.  We selected a 2 pm boarding time. It was the earliest available last boarding was 8 pm.  

Check-in:  No queuing before time, line opens 15 min prior to assigned time.  Be ready with Passport and set sail pass (we used the digital version).  TraceTogether (TT) (either the token or phone app) was also checked several times during the process and our temperatures were checked 6 times by the time we arrived onboard.   During the check-in we received a wrist band tracing token as well. 

Onboard:  The rooms were ready when we boarded and we carried our luggage on because of this fact.  We dropped off our luggage and logged onto the wifi to start reserving shows and activities.  iFly is $40USD and North Star is $20USD.  The Key isn’t currently available but both of these activities were included last year in that package making it a very good deal.  At this point we headed to Costal Kitchen to make reservations for the entire trip. The host recommended making reservations for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Since the room is at half capacity due to social distancing measures he said if we didn’t show up it would be ok. 

We headed to the concierge lounge to check it out and then onto the Bumper cars at 3:30 pm which we had reserved.  Since it was so early in the boarding process their were only 6 of us in line.  We rode for 20 min before 6 more people shows up and we all went for another 6!  It was great.  

Time for a stop at the SeaPlex Doghouse.  It wasn’t bad but since there was a rain shower the staff had to modify the bumper car line.  As it was blocked off and the only entry/exit was supposed to be from the outside deck.  We couldn’t eat inside the seaplex again due to social distancing rules so we brought it back to our room. 

The ship has lots of social distancing stations.  To either confirm the TT token is on you or the app is on.  We unpacked and then on to the muster station for final check-in.  The first two steps are to watch 2 video either via the RC app or RC in your room. This step took about 10 min as they did a quick demonstration and placed a sticker on our sea passes.

Back to the concierge lounge to checkout the snack selection and have a cocktail prior to dinner. 

Dinner at Coastal Kitchen was amazing!  Our waiter was funny, attentive and made the experience great.  After multiple appetizer and a great steak filet , we had dessert and then off to Sequins & Feathers all before sail away. 

9:30 PM departed the dock.  The casino opens in an hour and again lots of social distancing measures in place.  Every other machine is not in use and each table game has half the seats.    Just like in Singapore last call is at 10 pm and drinks have to be finished by 10:30.  After that nonalcoholic drinks only unless your in your room. 

Random Thoughts:

Lots of one ways and blocked doors.  This helps control movement. With only half capacity it’s not too bad but 

Temperature scans everywhere, just like everywhere in Singapore just more concentrated as you walk around so much. 
 

A few pics of the day.  The trash can with the wipe dispenser on top was interesting to see. 

masteradept inspired me to post after seeing his coverage of the 1st cruise back. Link to those posts

First Singapore has done an amazing job of crafting policy and following the science.  After several months of lockdowns and a very cautious approach to reopening the country is down to under an average of 2 cases a week. The rest are imported as travelers enter the country and go through mandatory quarantine at dedicated hotels including swab test prior to leaving the 14 day quarantine (There are some exceptions to this rule but very few). 
 

Currently only Singaporeans and long term residents are allowed to cruise.  The government along with the cruise industry came up with a very comprehensive set of rules. Link to the offical rules.

With that out of the way I’ll now focus on the cruise and yes everyone had a PCR swab test between 72-24 hours prior to sailing.  I also found out the crew tests every time back in port so every Thursday and Monday. 

On 12/8/2020 at 9:10 PM, gwain6 said:

https://www.ozstravels.com/cruise-to-nowhere-day-1-wander/

A few pics of the Royal Promenade..

Great photos.  We sail in 3 days and can’t wait!

21 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

When will this be done?

Just an opinion that a test day of departure will be considered. Now that it was confirmed as negative I guess we’ll see what changes are actually made. 

Here’s a better idea then testing everyone.  Just test the sewage as it enters the treatment plant.  Depending on how the piping is and access you could do this per floor possibly. 
 

Test sewage article. 

7 hours ago, masteradept said:

Yep this is from MOH!

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/no-new-cases-of-locally-transmitted-covid-19-infection-9decfullpr

 

Heh was following pretty closely because I've got another sailing coming up in a few weeks, and hoping all goes smoothly from here.

I have a sailing next week.  Good to see the protocols established work and where tested. 
 

I see a few tweaks that may be made.  All passengers get a rapid test day of (Like the  Genting Cruise Line)

A second swab test will be done on board as a backup to the first to help with false negative/positive results.  
 

RCI to wait to cancel a cruise until MOH confirmation (unless the decision was pushed by Singapore Govt.)

Singapore has gone almost a month with less than a handful of cases.  Are there asymptotic cases still?  Probably but with the safe management measures in place it is very unlikely to see clusters of cases. 

1 hour ago, Ethanol95 said:

Actually I'm pretty surprised that the Singapore gov still allows the season to continue, yet alone tomorrow's sailing

I think they will continue to sail and the government is using it for the data.  This just a a safe as staying at a hotel for 2 nights for a staycation and going to the hotel pool and restaurants.  
 

It maybe safer due to the COVID tests and extra contact tracing. 
 

24 minutes ago, suzyluvs2cruise said:

 

A person could test negative pre-cruise and at boarding but become sick the day after. Testing only shows that you didn't have Covid-19 at the time you were tested. 

This is not necessarily true either.  The PCR test is only effective if you are shedding enough of the virus. 
 

There is a chance that this is a past infection and the first test was done improperly or was a false negative. 
 

A serological (blood test) can confirm this. 
When Singapore first started cases lots of individuals kept testing positive or would test negative one day (after the initial 14 days) and the next text positive again.  The rule at that time was 2 negative test 1 day apart to be released from quarantine. It took some people 30-45 days before being released. 

Singapore has learned a lot and will apply all that knowledge to this incident and cruises will continue when they believe it’s appropriate based on the facts. 
 

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/all-you-need-to-know-about-serology-tests

23 minutes ago, DaniDanielle said:

Agree, you can be negative today and positive tomorrow.  We have friends that were exposed and tested negative.  They wanted to go out and eat with us and I had to tell them wait at lest two weeks.

Negative means nothing.

and Singapore has seen this several times with those approved entry from overseers.  First all non citizens and permanent residents need a swab test 72 hours prior to boarding a plane.  Almost every country is considered high risk and a 14 day quarantine is mandatory at a hotel designated by the government. There are then 3 random checks a day to ensure you are in your room with video calls. 3 days prior to end of quarantine is a PCR tickle your brain swab test.

Even with these measures in place there have recently been 2 cases of after being let out of quarantine people testing positive.  One was a person leaving the country and having a PCR test due to restrictions in the next country and the 2nd came down with symptoms 4 days after leaving quarantine.  
 

Unfortunately the virus is out there and it’s not going away. With asymptotic spread it’s going to be impossible to prevent.  Taiwan has 0 local cases in 200 days. Singapore got to 14 days.  Even now China cases pop up.  
 

It’s a game of wack a mole.  Contact tracing, social distancing, masks and common sense is what’s needed. 

9 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

So what does "going into quarantine" imply?  Will passengers be restricted to ship for a period of time or considering all are Singapore residents will those who test negative simply be allowed to disembark and return home?

RC has worked with the Singapore Govt to set standards and a plan is in place. One part of this plan was no more than a 6 hour sale back to Singapore.  QoS has an isolation ward in the hospital and lots of fresh are plus 2 types of contact tracing devices.  

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/royal-promise

I hope it’s a testing error as all individuals had a PCR test before the cruise.  This test is the gold standard and has been in use in Singapore since the beginning. 

On 12/4/2020 at 9:16 PM, gwain6 said:

I am on the second Quantum of the Seas Cruise from Singapore to Nowhere, well to Singapore..

Do you have any more posts?  Could you provide a photo of a cruise compass?

5 hours ago, Ethanol95 said:

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/vessel-operators-optimistic-about-consumer-response-to-cruises-to-nowhere?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=STFB&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1607259973

 

"Ms Angie Stephen, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Royal Caribbean International, noted: 'The demand for our product has certainly exceeded our expectations. Singapore is a great base of business, and we're planning on building back confidence in the cruising industry and ramping up safely."

 

"As for whether more ships will be added to the sailing roster, we'd like to start safe and slow - but as Royal Caribbean has the most ships in the world, there's always an opportunity."

 

Interesting article and interesting choice of words. Is RCL hinting at the consideration of the deployment of a second ship to Singapore? It would be an easy logistical change with 3 or 4 ships anchored in the OPL

It could be a good location to use as a training ground for the staff.  Depending on how longer Singapore restricts travel there may also be demand for these types of sailings.   

On 12/4/2020 at 9:10 PM, masteradept said:

 

Yes it was closed for dinner, but it was open for breakfast and lunch, so not to worry there.

 

 

Currently on the ship (and on land) buffets are still open, but are no longer self service. Crew members are stationed at the various food areas to serve you, so you just tell them what you'd like and they'll give it to you. This also applied to the Suite Lounge, incidentally.

The suite lounge has a server too. It wasn’t clear in that post but further down it was mentioned in a follow up. 

They are sailing the 3 and 4 night Itineraries until at least the end of March.  
 

They can only be viewed them from the Singapore website

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/sgp/en/cruises/?dates_maxDate=03%2F31%2F2021&dates_minDate=12%2F01%2F2020&departureCode_SIN=true&durationCode_2to5=true