Royal Caribbean’s Overseas Cruises To Sail From Oct 2022: Booking, Price & Cruise Information Guide

Itching to go overseas?

Well here’s some good news.

Royal Caribbean has now launched bookings for cruises that will depart Singapore for countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam and return back to Singapore on the Spectrum of the Seas.

These cruises will depart from 21 Oct 2022.

Here is all you need to know!

Disclaimer: This article is not sponsored by Royal Caribbean. Do check out our Seedly Code of Ethics for more information. We will update and compare these cruises when other companies launch bookings for overseas cruises as well.

TL;DR: Royal Caribbean’s Singapore Cruises to Malaysia/Thailand/Vietnam* Guide: Cruises Set to Sail From Oct 2022

*Subject to approval from the Singapore authorities based on the prevailing health situation and border measures. Information is accurate as of 30 September 2021. Prices, availability and promotions are subject to change without prior notice.

Do note that ‘all prices are per person, based on double occupancy of the stateroom and are quoted in US dollars unless otherwise specified. The cruise prices quoted also do not include any applicable government taxes, fees, or surcharges that may be assessed by any governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time regardless of whether you have a confirmed reservation under deposit or whether you have made a final payment.’.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Holiday Entitlements

According to Royal Caribbean, the price you pay for the cruise holiday entitles you to the following services:

• ‘Ship accommodation
• Ocean transportation
• Most meals onboard
• Some drinks onboard
• Most entertainment onboard.

But, the following services are not included in the cruise price:

• Dining in Speciality Restaurants, such as Chops Grille, 150 Central Park and Izumi
• Dining in Johnny Rockets (where applicable)
• Spa and Salon services
• Gambling (including Bingo)
• Art Auction
• Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard
• Shore excursions
• Photographs
• Video Arcade
• Medical Services
• Internet Access
• Transfers (unless the guest has purchased our air/sea package)
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Ship to Shore Telephone calls
• Tips
• Alcoholic Drinks
• Non-Alcoholic Drinks (excluding water, lemonade and iced tea).’

Royal Caribbean Spectrum of The Seas

For these cruises, you will be setting sail on the Spectrum of the Seas, a 2019 Quantum Ultra class ship that was built to cater to Asian travellers as it used to ply the Shanghai and Hong Kong routes.

If you wondering, the Spectrum is bigger (higher passenger capacity) and newer than the Quantum of the Seas: the 2014 Quantum Class ship used by Royal Caribbean for its cruises to nowhere.

Speaking of passenger capacity, guests who book a cruise holiday on the Spectrum will get to enjoy Asian food like steamboat-style dining and tepanyaki.

As for entertainment, the ship offers a myriad of thrilling and enjoyable experiences like:

• ‘Asia’s first Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline adventure where guests strap in and don a headset to transport themselves to another time and planet.
• Royal Caribbean’s first and exclusive Suite Enclave, which features the exquisite Royal Suite Class Star, Sky and Sea accommodations in a private area supremely positioned at the forward end of the ship. Guests booked in these luxury suites have exclusive floor access, an elevator, private restaurants, and a dedicated lounge area.
• Cutting-edge and transformative venues such as Two70. Boasting stunning 270-degree ocean views by day and transforming into a multidimensional theatre by night, this transformative space flaunts six agile Roboscreens, breathtaking live performers and mind-bending aerialists to create unimaginable visuals. Meanwhile, SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea, features bumper cars, interactive gaming, laser tag, fencing, archery, and more.
• Star Moment, a lively and energetic karaoke venue where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars.
• Spacious and family-friendly staterooms, ranging from exterior balcony staterooms to family-friendly interconnected rooms, to the signature two-level Ultimate Family Suite, an expansive, multiroom retreat complete with its own ensuite slide and cinema, which also doubles as a karaoke stage.
• A bold lineup of signature activities, including the FlowRider surf simulator, the North Star, an all-glass capsule that ascends 300 feet above the ocean to deliver incomparable 360-degree views; and RipCord by iFly, the first sky diving experience at sea.
• Nineteen distinct dining options serve up flavours from around the world, including Hot Pot, an authentic Chinese dining experience; Teppanyaki, a celebration of authentic oriental flavors cooked in Japan’s traditional teppanyaki style; and Sichuan Red, a new speciality dining experience tailored just for Spectrum, where diners can savour a bold tapestry of authentic spices and Sichuan flavours. Signature classics include imaginative cuisine at Wonderland, top-notch, aged beef at Chops Grille, and authentic rustic fare and handmade pasta at Jamie’s Italian.’

Is it Safe to Go on a Royal Caribbean Overseas Cruise?

I know what you’re thinking… these cruises safe anot?

For that, we can take a look at the Cruises to Nowhere which have been going on for about a year now.

Back in July 2021, The Straits Times reported that a World Dream Dream Cruises ship had to return back to Singapore after a 40-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID-19 onboard the ship.

Originally, the four-day three-night cruise which started on Sunday (11 July 2021) was supposed to return to Singapore on Wednesday (14 July 2021), 9am.

But on Tuesday (13 July 2021), a 40-year-old passenger tested positive for COVID and was immediately isolated according to onboard health protocols. The passenger’s close contacts were also be tested and quarantined.

The other passengers had to remain in their cabins while all the onboard leisure activities were stopped. Thankfully, the passengers had meals delivered to them and were given complimentary WiFi.

In addition, all passengers on board were compensated with a complimentary cruise trip as well.

A similar incident happened on the Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas cruise in December 2020.

An 86 year old male passenger tested positive for COVID-19 on board and the ship was made to return one day ahead of time.

But, it was discovered that the passenger did not have COVID-19 after further tests on the mainland. This indicated that the earlier test was a false positive.

Overall, despite the hiccups, I would think that the situation was handled pretty well.

But if you are unconvinced, you should take a look at Royal Caribbean’s Royal Promise commitment to implement health and safety measures as needed.

For starters, the crew are all fully vaccinated. Onboard, there are robust cleaning and sanitization protocols in place and an enhanced onboard ventilation system installed on the ship/

One key requirement that you have to take note of is that from 1 October 2021, the cruise company will only accept guests who are full vaccinated against COVID-19.

But, guests under 12 years old and below will still be able to come aboard.

In addition, here are all the measures that Royal Carribbean has put in place to ensure your safety:

Testing For All

Safe vacations start with prevention. Every guest and crew member will be required to test negative for COVID-19 (coronavirus) prior to boarding — and Royal Caribbean will cover the cost of your test for sailings departing on or before 21 February 2022.

We’ll continue monitoring everyone’s health onboard with daily temperature checks, rapid testing capabilities, and complimentary in-stateroom medical evaluations whenever needed.

Fresh Filtered Air

There’s nothing like the fresh air of the open ocean, wherever you are onboard. On Royal Caribbean® ships, our HVAC system continuously supplies 100% fresh, filtered air from outdoors to all indoor spaces. You can breathe easy knowing that, thanks to this robust system, the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces (like those from a cough) is extremely low to virtually impossible — as validated in an independent assessment conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

Medical Grade Cleaning Standards

Royal Caribbean takes great pride in keeping our ships sparkling clean. Now, with guidance from our Healthy Sail Panel, we’re going further than ever before. Our new sanitization protocols rival those at the best hospitals, using disinfectants and techniques approved by the local authorities, like electrostatic fogging to clean frequently and consistently. Plus we’ve reduced the need to touch surfaces wherever possible.

Fewer Guests, More Space For Your Family

Everyone now knows the importance of physical distancing. We also know that on vacation you just want to relax. Royal Caribbean ships will sail with fewer guests onboard giving you more distance from others, so you can focus on getting closer to those you care about. Around the ship, you’ll find friendly reminders wherever face masks or extra spacing are required. We’ve also outfitted our crew with personal protective gear and reduced the need for contact in all possible interactions.

360 Medical Center

Upgraded Medical Facilities & Expert Care
There’s nothing more important than your health and safety. That’s why we’ve made our high-quality onboard medical care stronger than ever, with more doctors and nurses on each ship and state-of-the-art equipment enhancements. And in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19, we’re fully prepared with immediate medical evaluations, rapid testing and more critical care beds on each ship.

Safely Return Home

In the event that a guest or crew member tests positive while we’re sailing. Royal Caribbean has partnered with the local authorities to develop transport protocols to get you home safely.

COVID-19 Protections

Book by 31 October 2021, and your cruise fare includes the following at no extra cost.

Royal Caribbean COVID-19 Protections

• 100% refund if you or someone from your travel party tests positive within two weeks of sailing or at boarding at the terminal. Proof of positive test may be required.

• 100% refund for you, your travel party and any close confirmed contacts if any of you tests positive during your cruise.

• If you test positive for COVID-19 while onboard, Royal Caribbean will provide onboard medical treatment, land-based quarantine if required, and travel home for you and your travelling party, as well as confirmed close contacts. We strongly advise you to purchase adequate travel insurance that covers costs and expenses related to COVID-19.

Royal Caribbean Cruise with Confidence Program

Easily change any cruise reservation made before 31 October 2021 with our Cruise With Confidence program.

• Cancel your reservation up to 48 hours before your sail date for any reason and receive a 100% Future Cruise Credit

• OR reschedule your sailing to a later date with no penalty.

What About Travel Insurance?

Well if you go onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, I would strongly urge you to buy travel insurance as according to their Royal Promise advisory:

If you test positive for COVID-19 while onboard, Royal Caribbean will provide onboard medical treatment, land-based quarantine if required, and travel home for you and your travelling party, as well as confirmed close contacts. We strongly advise you to purchase adequate travel insurance that covers costs and expenses related to COVID-19.

This means that Royal Caribbean will not cover any of your medical bills once you are off the ship.

The good news is that the vast majority of travel insurance policies cover cruises to nowhere.

According to Milelion who contacted the majority of Singapore’s insurance underwriters, the following insurers will cover cruises to nowhere:

However, only Sompo and NTUC Income will cover COVID-19. But, this is not as vital as if you were to test positive for the virus onboard, you will be provided with care and the ship will return to Singapore immediately.

But as these Royal Caribbean cruises to overseas destinations are just launched, do check with your insurers to see if they cover these new cruises.

As soon as you are back in Singapore, you will still be able to access Government subsidies and your personal medical insurance coverage in accordance with MOH’s revised October 2020 guidelines.

Should You Go On a Royal Caribbean Singapore Overseas Cruise?

If you book now, it’s a gamble for sure as the destination cruises are ‘subject to approval from the Singapore authorities based on the prevailing health situation and border measures.’

There’s no telling what the COVID-19 situation and border measures will be like one year for now in the nearby Southeast Asian region ports.

Granted you can reschedule or request for a full refund in future cruise credit, getting a full refund in cash is not an option.

So keep this in mind when you make the booking.