Singapore began offering so-called cruises to nowhere last year after authorities introduced a SafeCruise certification, which all operators have to obtain before they set sail. It spells out standards companies must achieve, including mandatory Covid testing prior to boarding, ensuring safe distancing and frequent cleaning and sanitizing.
Singapore now accounts for one-third of global cruise travelers, a testament to the nation’s ability to contain the coronavirus and resume operations at a time when many other countries are still struggling.
The city-state, which contains a population of 5.7 million on an island smaller than New York City, was able to achieve what it has because of its robust health safety framework, Singapore Tourism Board CEO Keith Tan said at a conference Wednesday.
