Royal Caribbean International Taps into Singapore's Fly-Cruise Development Fund

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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