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Royal Caribbean International (RCI), which recently announced its return to Asia in December 2007, is the latest cruise operator to tie up
with the Singapore Tourism Board on a series of marketing initiatives under the recently-launched Singapore Fly-Cruise Development
Fund.
Nine new and exotic sailings from Singapore will be launched and marketed under Royal Caribbean’s partnership with the STB, which will
tap on the Sin$10 million fund that STB administers in support of cruise companies’ marketing activities.
Dr Chan Tat Hon, Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure) at the Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We welcome Royal Caribbean International
back to the waters of Asia. Homeporting Rhapsody of the Seas in Singapore gives RCI a good standing to launch into Asia - the next big
playground for cruising. In boosting Singapore’s cruise industry through the Fly-Cruise Development Fund, we believe there will be
knock-on benefits that will catalyse growth throughout the entire Asian cruise industry. We are already working with our regional
counterparts to grow the industry and hope that many more cruise passengers will be inspired to come experience the beauty of Asia –
our rich diversity of cultures and traditions and trademark Asian hospitality.”
RCI’s Rhapsody of the Seas will be one of Asia’s largest homeported cruise ships when she makes her Singapore debut in December
2007. Busy cruise enthusiasts can look forward to RCI’s new and shorter itineraries from Singapore ranging between two to five days.
There is also an extended 12-night itinerary for cruisers looking for a longer getaway. Some of the exotic ports of call that these cruises
will call on include Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
“The newly launched itineraries for Asia are part of Royal Caribbean’s strategy to expand into emerging high-growth markets,” said Mr
Rama Rebbapragada, Director Asia Pacific of Royal Caribbean International. “Already, we have seen good demand for these cruises from
most Asian markets and are pleased to see bookings coming in from North America and Europe on some of the short sailings. There is
also keen interest shown by the corporate incentives sector from all over the world.”
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