Is Spectrum of the Seas Resuming in Hong Kong Later This Year?

[Ethanol95]

https://flyinghigher651812767.wordpress.com/2021/05/24/cruise-to-nowhere-in-the-works-for-hong-kong/ 

 

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has recently announced that the Hong Kong government is in talks with various cruise operators to restart cruising in Hong Kong over the next few months. The key takeaways that SCMP pointed out was:

• The need for emphasis on preventive health measures, which would include mandatory vaccination of all crew and passengers before a cruise ship can depart.
• The eagerness of cruise industry's comeback is one that needs to be managed appropriately citing that ongoing discussions suggests that the ships be capped at 50% passenger capacity, similar to what is currently in place in Singapore.

Looks like Spectrum of the Seas will be added to the growing list of Royal's ships in service soon! 

[Cruise Wonderland]

Yes, it will be Spectrum (plus Genting Dream of Dream Cruises).

 

Originally RCI plan to use Ovation. Since Ovation is already used for resuming Alaska cruises starting from July, eventually Spectrum is chosen.

[Ethanol95]

Yea i figured. Glad that HK will have cruising back soon! 

 

[Chiliburn]

Best of luck with that .

WHO said there’s more cases this year so far than all of last.

[Cruise Wonderland]

Confirmed! Spectrum will sail in Hong Kong starting from 30th July with 2- to 4-night cruises to nowhere.

 

2 nights: July 30 / Sep 05,17

3 nights: Aug 05,12,19,26 / Sep 02,07,10,23,30 / Oct 07,14,21,28 / Nov 04,11,18,25

4 nights: Aug 01,08,15,22,29 / Sep 13,19,26 / Oct 03,10,17,24,31 / Nov 07,14,21,28

 

Vaccination and negative PCR test result are required. Only oceanview cabins or above categories can be booked. Maximum capacity is 50%.

 

Other onboard measures are expected to be similar to Quantum in Singapore. Laser tag will be closed and no buffet is offered.

Edited May 26, 2021 by Cruise Wonderland

[Biker19]

The list of cancellation yesterday seemed to include Spectrum till the end of August. Restarting cruises is hard.

[Ethanol95]

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

The list of cancellation yesterday seemed to include Spectrum till the end of August. Restarting cruises is hard.

Do you have a link for this? I haven't come across this yet. 

[Biker19]

5 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

Do you have a link for this? I haven't come across this yet. 

Cruises Health and Travel Updates - Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Royal Caribbean Cruises

 

Ships returning to service:

• Adventure of the Seas: June 12, 2021 departing from Nassau, Bahamas

• Allure of the Seas: August 8, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Anthem of the Seas: July 7, 2021 departing from Southampton, United Kingdom

• Freedom of the Seas: July 2, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

• Harmony of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Barcelona, Spain & Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

• Independence of the Seas: August 15, 2021 departing from Galveston, Texas

• Jewel of the Seas: July 10, 2021 departing from Limassol, Cyprus

• Mariner of the Seas: August 23, 2021 departing from Port Canaveral, Florida

• Navigator of the Seas: November 19, 2021 departing from Los Angeles, California

• Odyssey of the Seas: July 3, 2021 departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Ovation of the Seas: August 13, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Quantum of the Seas: December 1, 2020 departing from Singapore

• Serenade of the Seas: July 19, 2021 departing from Seattle, Washington

• Symphony of the Seas: August 14, 2021 departing from Miami, Florida

 

The following ships have been suspended through the end of August 2021. We are looking forward to announcing their return to service dates soon.

• Brilliance of the Seas

• Enchantment of the Seas

• Explorer of the Seas

• Liberty of the Seas

• Grandeur of the Seas

• Oasis of the Seas

• Radiance of the Seas

• Rhapsody of the Seas

• Spectrum of the Seas

• Vision of the Seas

• Voyager of the Seas

[Ethanol95]

That's a shame. 

[masteradept]

I feel like this may just be out of date - sometimes what they release on their US/main websites don't really match what we get in Singapore (and probably HK as well). Otherwise so far no indication that the Hong Kong plan is on hold.

[Ethanol95]

34 minutes ago, masteradept said:

I feel like this may just be out of date - sometimes what they release on their US/main websites don't really match what we get in Singapore (and probably HK as well). Otherwise so far no indication that the Hong Kong plan is on hold.

That's true, it could be cancelled for someone visiting from the American website, because it is not feasible for Americans to cruise on those asian ones anyway. 

[Biker19]

The RCI HK page doesn't show any sailings for Spectrum till December, but for some reason, she is sailing there now.

[Biker19]

Both Spectrum and Genting Dream are just off HK harbor - not sure if that means there's progress toward a season there.

[Biker19]

I missed this the day it came out two weeks ago:

 

Royal Caribbean International confirmed Spectrum of the Seas is now scheduled to begin sailing from Hong Kong on Oct. 5, instead of late July as hoped.

 

Two-, three- and four-night cruises to nowhere are planned. They'll be open to Hong Kong residents, with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for ages 16 and older. By Oct. 12, the age drops to 12.

 

In addition, all passengers including children who are currently ineligible for vaccines, must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test.

 

All crew will be vaccinated, too.

Crew vaccination and quarantine challenges

Crew vaccination and quarantine challenges had delayed the planned start, according to local news reports. However, Dream Cruises' Genting Dream reportedly will be ready to begin Hong Kong serivce July 30. 

 

'We are excited to get back to delivering memorable family vacations in Hong Kong,' said Bert Hernandez, president, Greater China, Royal Caribbean International.

Strong demand expected

The demand is expected to be 'very strong,' said Jason Wong, chairman, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, 'and we are very excited to have cruise holidays back for both trade and tourists given the current travel restrictions.'

 

Travelers who book Spectrum trips by July 31 are eligible for Royal Caribbean's Cruise with Confidence program, which allows for changes and cancellations up to 48 hours before the cruise sets sail. As long as travelers cancel at least 48 hours before their sail date, they’ll receive a future cruise credit that may be applied to bookings by April 30, 2022, for sailings departing before Sept. 30, 2022.

 

Spectrum of the Seas' Hong Kong start delayed to Oct. 5 (seatrade-cruise.com)

[Biker19]

Spectrum was joined by Voyager this weekend hanging out off HK.

[Biker19]

[Biker19]

Looks like she's just hanging out at the pier. And folks thought the CDC was strict.

[Chiliburn]

6 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Looks like she's just hanging out at the pier. And folks thought the CDC was strict.

There’s talk China will block U.S. cruise ships from using its port in the near future.
It’s in response to some drafted sanctions in Congress.

I know that technically it’s not U.S. but they said Flagged or not.

[Biker19]

 

 

In a positive sign that cruising is continuing to return to pre-pandemic levels, Dream Cruises has announced that it will increase passenger capacity aboard the Genting Dream from 50% to 75% effective December 1, 2021. This increase is with the approval of the Hong Kong authorities and will provide more than 800 additional passengers the opportunity to enjoy holiday sailings and upcoming voyages from Hong Kong.

Genting Dream Increases Passenger Capacity

Genting Dream resumed sailing on July 30, 2021 at 50% passenger capacity. In the more than three months the ship has been in service since its COVID-19 shutdown, there have been no cases reported and the ship has had smooth sailing on its Asian itineraries. Thanks to that success, the ship is now able to accommodate more than 800 additional passengers for future cruises.

 

“Dream Cruises is delighted to be able to increase passenger capacity on board Genting Dream to 75% and we would like to thank the Hong Kong authorities for providing us with this stamp of approval on the effectiveness of our health and hygiene protocols,” said Mr. Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines, the parent company of Dream Cruises. “Since we resumed cruises on 30 July, we have welcomed over 70,000 passengers on Genting Dream without any COVID-19 related incidents and we are grateful to the residents of Hong Kong for putting their trust in our hands.”

 

 

At double capacity – considered full capacity for a cruise ship – Genting Dream can accommodate 3,349 passengers. The ship is currently offering 2-3 night cruises without any port days. The increased capacity now opens up additional holiday sailings for eager passengers. Those “Super Seacation” holiday sailings, particularly over Christmas and New Year’s, had already been sold out at 50% capacity.

Health and Safety Protocols Continue

Dream Cruises is committed to the ongoing health and safety of both passengers and crew members, and strict health and safety protocols remain in place onboard the Genting Dream.

 

Protocols include a two-tiered cleaning and sanitizing procedure for public areas, fresh air ventilation in public areas and staterooms, mandatory pre-boarding temperature screenings, staggered embarkation and debarkation times to limit crowds and promote social distancing, increased hand sanitizing stations, face masks required in public areas, and more.

 

Mr. Zhu said, “As the first cruise company to resume sailings in Hong Kong, Dream Cruises will continue to work hard to provide residents of the city with the safe and worry-free vacation option that delivers a true “get-away” experience that is Asian at heart and international in spirit.”

 

Cruise Line Increases Passenger Capacity to 75 Percent (cruisehive.com)

 

Biker, who assumes this will apply to Spectrum as well.

[Ethanol95]

35 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

 

 

In a positive sign that cruising is continuing to return to pre-pandemic levels, Dream Cruises has announced that it will increase passenger capacity aboard the Genting Dream from 50% to 75% effective December 1, 2021. This increase is with the approval of the Hong Kong authorities and will provide more than 800 additional passengers the opportunity to enjoy holiday sailings and upcoming voyages from Hong Kong.

Genting Dream Increases Passenger Capacity

Genting Dream resumed sailing on July 30, 2021 at 50% passenger capacity. In the more than three months the ship has been in service since its COVID-19 shutdown, there have been no cases reported and the ship has had smooth sailing on its Asian itineraries. Thanks to that success, the ship is now able to accommodate more than 800 additional passengers for future cruises.

 

“Dream Cruises is delighted to be able to increase passenger capacity on board Genting Dream to 75% and we would like to thank the Hong Kong authorities for providing us with this stamp of approval on the effectiveness of our health and hygiene protocols,” said Mr. Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Lines, the parent company of Dream Cruises. “Since we resumed cruises on 30 July, we have welcomed over 70,000 passengers on Genting Dream without any COVID-19 related incidents and we are grateful to the residents of Hong Kong for putting their trust in our hands.”

 

 

At double capacity – considered full capacity for a cruise ship – Genting Dream can accommodate 3,349 passengers. The ship is currently offering 2-3 night cruises without any port days. The increased capacity now opens up additional holiday sailings for eager passengers. Those “Super Seacation” holiday sailings, particularly over Christmas and New Year’s, had already been sold out at 50% capacity.

Health and Safety Protocols Continue

Dream Cruises is committed to the ongoing health and safety of both passengers and crew members, and strict health and safety protocols remain in place onboard the Genting Dream.

 

Protocols include a two-tiered cleaning and sanitizing procedure for public areas, fresh air ventilation in public areas and staterooms, mandatory pre-boarding temperature screenings, staggered embarkation and debarkation times to limit crowds and promote social distancing, increased hand sanitizing stations, face masks required in public areas, and more.

 

Mr. Zhu said, “As the first cruise company to resume sailings in Hong Kong, Dream Cruises will continue to work hard to provide residents of the city with the safe and worry-free vacation option that delivers a true “get-away” experience that is Asian at heart and international in spirit.”

 

Cruise Line Increases Passenger Capacity to 75 Percent (cruisehive.com)

 

Biker, who assumes this will apply to Spectrum as well.

It will probably come in time, but Spectrum has struggled a lot more with HK than GD has. This might pose more obstacles for them to overcome first ensuring trust of the local government and authorities. Don't forget, one is an American brand, the other a Chinese brand. Seems obvious which would be favoured if ever. 

Edited November 28, 2021 by Ethanol95