Destination cruising from Singapore to make its comeback

For the past two years, Singapore sailings have been ocean getaways with no port calls.

Spectrum of the Seas to Malaysia

That's to change starting June 30 for Spectrum of the Seas, which will visit Malaysia's Penang and Kuala Lumpur on three- and four-night itineraries.

'The vibrant and culture-rich cities of Penang and Kuala Lumpur have so much to offer, and that is only the beginning,' said Angie Stephen, VP managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

Genting Dream to Indonesia and Malaysia

Resorts World Cruises plans to call at Bintan and Batam islands in Indonesia, along with Kuala Lumpur, Malacca (via Port Dickson) and Penang. These destinations will be offered on Genting Dream, which is to begin sailing for KT Lim's new brand on June 15 from Singapore.

'Resorts World Cruises will be the first cruise line from Singapore to resume cruising to Indonesia with the two-night "Bintan and Batam Weekend Getaway Cruise"' starting July 1 then to Kuala Lumpur, Malacca and Penang from July 3, said Michael Goh, president, Resorts World Cruises. 'We will continue to include more popular destinations to Phuket and Krabi in Thailand and North Bali in Indonesia from October 2022 onwards to provide our vacationers with more destination options,' he added.

Singapore Tourism Board welcomes more options

Annie Chang, director of cruise, Singapore Tourism Board, said STB had been working closely with various governments in Southeast Asia to align on cruise protocols and policies, and is excited to bring back international sailings.

'Port calls will provide more vacation options, and we look forward to seeing more first-time and repeat cruisers in the coming year as more ports in the region open up,' she said.