For many people, the concept of occurring a cruise doesn’t normally cross our minds. If and when it does, it’s one thing we usually wouldn’t entertain. No surprises there, actually. Cruising is a kind of journey types that usually include numerous misconceptions.
When we requested our pals what they initially considered cruises earlier than they discovered what it was truly like, most of them mentioned the identical factor — that it’s an opulent journey for terribly rich retirees who solely eat, drink and celebration on board. So sure, no because of the way it’s typically depicted in movies, we consider cruises as one thing that’s method out of our attain.
But over the previous a number of years, cruising has turn out to be extra accessible. While no Philippine metropolis is presently a house port to any main cruise ship, our neighbor Singapore is! Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas, Asia’s largest cruise ship, is asking Singapore dwelling till 2024, giving Southeast Asian vacationers a possibility to discover our dwelling area in type. SG’s central location means easy accessibility to neighboring ASEAN locations. Depending in your journey dates, the ship might make a cease in Port Klang (gateway to Kuala Lumpur), Penang, Phuket, and extra.
If you’ve all the time been interested by occurring a cruise, however you’re unsure if it’s one thing for you, it’s your fortunate day! We have been lately invited by Royal Caribbean to board and discover the Spectrum of the Seas because it sailed to Malaysia. In this text, we’ll reply a few of your burning questions on cruising from Singapore!
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Not actually. Not all the time. It can be costly however it may be reasonably priced, too.
The worth of the cruise relies on many issues: vacation spot, journey dates, variety of nights, variety of company, and the lodging kind. Hence, the charges fluctuate significantly.
Let’s speak about journey dates first. If you do a fast search, you’ll discover a number of cruises with the identical itinerary (identical variety of nights and stops) however every crusing’s worth is completely different. It’s very very similar to reserving a flight. But you possibly can simply discover budget-friendly dates! Here’s a fast scan I did simply now:
As you possibly can see, it’s totally attainable to search out reasonably priced sailings, particularly in case you e-book prematurely. Royal Caribbean has only in the near past opened their 2023-2024 seasons, so in case you search now, there’s an enormous likelihood you’ll discover cheap costs.
On the opposite hand, November, December and January are likely to have the steepest charges as a result of they’re round main holidays — Christmas, New Year, and Chinese New Year! You’ll additionally discover the large distinction between room sorts.
Speaking of room sorts, essentially the most reasonably priced cabin is the Interior state room. And in case you’re capable of e-book a less expensive date, you’ll discover that the worth of a cruise isn’t too far-off from the price of a typical land tour in Singapore. I’ll break it down and clarify additional within the subsequent part.
The charges fluctuate relying on various elements, as talked about. But right here’s an instance of an reasonably priced discover:
A 3-night cruise that makes a cease in Penang can price as little as SGD 767.52 (PHP 30,700) for two individuals (inside room) for an August 2023 crusing. That’s SGD 383.75 (PHP 15,350) per individual. This can go even decrease in case you’re touring with seniors, who’re eligible for a considerable low cost.
I feel that’s a incredible deal contemplating that it’s inclusive of the next:
- 3-night lodging (inside)
- UNLIMITED meals
- leisure (theatre, films, and so on.)
- entry to facilities (swimming pools, some points of interest)
- cease in Malaysia (tour not included)
- gratuities / suggestions
- taxes and charges
In comparability, right here’s what 2 vacationers would most likely spend on a typical DIY land tour in Singapore:
- SGD 370 (P15,000) – Hotel (3 nights at a typical finances resort at P5000/evening)
- SGD 200 (P8000) – Food (4 days at SGD 25/individual/day)
- SGD 200 (P8000) – Attractions & incidentals (SGD100 finances/individual)
- SGD 50 (P2000) – Transportation (SG Tourist cross SGD25/individual)
- TOTAL: SGD 820 (P33,200) or SGD 410 (P16,600)
Of course, relying in your journey preferences, your precise prices could also be greater or decrease than this, however for me, if I’m staying at a correct resort, that is what I normally spend on a 4D3N Singapore journey.
But as you possibly can see, the distinction in bills isn’t that a lot. The cruise price is even decrease, and it might additionally assist you to go to one other nation!
So for me, in case you’re capable of snag a very good deal, occurring a cruise is just about like your typical SG journey budget-wise.
YES, more often than not! Senior company (55 years previous and above) can get a ten% low cost off the cruise fare. This is equal to round SGD 80 – 120 per room, relying on cabin kind.
Royal Caribbean additionally has a number of KIDS SAIL FREE promos, which might scale back the cruise fare for third or 4th company who’re 12 years previous or beneath, staying in the identical room as the first company.
However, these promos aren’t accessible year-round and will not apply to sure dates. These reductions additionally cowl the CRUISE FARE solely. Taxes and different charges nonetheless must be settled by the company.
For the Philippine market, essentially the most perfect possibility is by way of www.cruising.com.ph, managed by the official Royal Caribbean representatives within the nation.
What’s nice about reserving on the official Philippine web site is, you robotically get customer support and help in case you make a mistake, you want to change one thing, otherwise you need to lengthen funds. Most importantly, you have got somebody to name and help you in case of emergency. Having easy accessibility to buyer assist right here within the Philippines is tremendous beneficial for 2 causes:
- The journey scene can nonetheless be unpredictable lately. Travel necessities and border insurance policies change often and shortly. It’s good to have somebody you possibly can flip to in case of pressing issues.
- Booking and occurring a cruise is a bit of bit difficult. Or at the very least, extra difficult than the standard land excursions. There are numerous shifting components that you might want to watch — flight schedules, cruise timings, journey necessities, check-in and boarding processes, exercise and eating reservations, shore excursions, and so on. Having somebody to maintain you up to date can guarantee you have got a hassle-free journey.
If you e-book on the worldwide web site, you’re principally by yourself (DIY) and do you have to want additional help, you might want to name their customer support within the United States (US). This occurred to my aunt. She mistakenly booked a cabin on a deck and part of the ship that’s completely different and so far-off from her companions. She needed to alter rooms, however as a result of she booked by way of the worldwide web site, she needed to name the US quantity.
And in case you use our promo code — WORTHIT — you’ll get a further 5% DISCOUNT on the cruise fare! You can use this on high of any present promos or reductions.
So it’s greatest to e-book at www.cruising.com.ph!
The Spectrum of the Seas has 4 main state room classes. But below every class, not all rooms are created equal. They have completely different configurations and sizes. But right here’s what a fast description of a typical cabin below every class and what units them other than one another, sorted from most cost-effective to most costly.
- Interior Room. No home windows. Usually 166 sq. ft. Some inside rooms have a digital balcony, which is principally a display screen exhibiting some footage of the ocean.
- Ocean View Room. Bigger, normally 182 sq. ft, and with a big window.
- Balcony Ocean View Room. Or merely “balcony rooms”. More spacious, normally 198 sq. ft. The glass wall dealing with the ocean additionally makes it look larger. With a spacious balcony.
– You’ll additionally discover rooms tagged “Obstructed Ocean View Balcony“, which refers to these rooms which have a balcony however the view is partially blocked by one thing. For instance, Deck 6 is the place the smaller boats are positioned, obstructing the view of lots of the rooms right here. Because of this, obstructed balcony rooms are sometimes cheaper than non-balcony ocean view rooms. - Suites. The largest, most luxurious, and most costly lodging. They include numerous perks, too. Some facilities are open solely to suite company. Here are the completely different suite sorts sorted by measurement and worth.
– Silver junior suite
– Grand suite (1-bedroom)
– Owner’s suite
– Grand loft suite
– Ultimate household suite (a two-level suite that has an indoor slide, an leisure room, and three bedrooms, good for 11 pax)
Most staterooms (not together with suites) can accommodate as much as 4 (4) company. (I say “most” as a result of some Interior rooms can solely host 2-3 pax.) That mentioned, cramping 4 folks in a room doesn’t essentially give one of the best worth for cash. The worth distinction between reserving 2 rooms with 2 company every and reserving 1 room with 4 company isn’t a lot.
That’s not shocking provided that whenever you e-book a cruise, you’re not simply paying for a room but in addition entry to countless array of meals and facilities. In most situations, pricing is just about per individual, not per room.
Note {that a} minor all the time has to share a room with an grownup. You can not e-book a stateroom for an unaccompanied minor.
That relies on your private preferences and finances.
Anything with a view of the ocean — balcony or no balcony — is all the time a sensible choice. It offers you some area to breathe. It’s additionally nice in case you’re the kind who likes admiring the view of the ocean or waking as much as a little bit of sunshine. If you want taking images, the balcony additionally gives a incredible vantage level particularly when the ship is docked at a port of name. And a window is beneficial when checking the climate shortly, particularly on days that you just intend to disembark for a shore tour.
But if finances is a bit of tight, an inside stateroom isn’t unhealthy in any respect. I’ve tried it earlier than and I didn’t thoughts that there was no view as a result of I used to be all the time exterior exploring the opposite decks anyway. On our most up-to-date cruise, we have been assigned a balcony room, however to be utterly sincere, I didn’t actually use it that a lot apart from a few events once I needed to take a photograph of Penang’s and Singapore’s coasts.
This might be why I suppose the obstructed ocean view balcony room can provide me essentially the most bang for my buck. I’ve by no means actually tried it, however I’m guessing since I don’t actually thoughts the view, it may well nonetheless give me the area of a balcony room on the worth of a daily ocean view room. If I might cruise once more, that is most likely what I might e-book if the worth is far decrease.
If you’re excited about an obstructed ocean view room, it’d assist to know the way a lot of the view is blocked. It’s not seen on the worldwide web site, however it’s clearly indicated on cruising.com.ph, permitting you to decide on the room with the least obstruction on the identical worth. Here’s a pattern:
Needless to say, in case you’re going for an obstructed ocean view room, choose one with the least view blockage.
YES. Each reserving comes with entry to 6 (6) complimentary eating choices:
- Main Dining Room, a correct restaurant
- Windjammer Marketplace, buffet-style
- Noodle Bar
- Splashaway Café
- Sorrento’s – Authentic New York Pizzeria
- The Café @Two70®
- SeaPlex Dog House, a “food truck” serving tasty scorching canine!
Dining at any of the above is FREE of cost, and you’ll have as a lot meals as you want. When I like a specific dish, I order one other serving. Even on the Main Dining Room, if I like two major dishes, I order each. It’s okay and it’s allowed. You may even ask for gadgets that aren’t on the present menu. I all the time order a cheese platter even when it’s not on the menu (LOL).
Because of the sheer variety of the cuisines which can be accessible for FREE, it’s totally attainable to finish the journey with out spending something extra on meals.
But if you wish to splurge a bit of, except for these complimentary meals spots, you’ll additionally discover specialty eating places that incur extra prices, together with:
- Chops Grille, steakhouse
- Teppanyaki, Japanese meals ready and served by entertaining cooks
- Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver
- Wonderland, inventive and modern Alice-in-Wonderland-themed eating
- La Patisserie, pastries and desserts
- Chef’s Table
- Izumi
- Sichuan Red
- The Hot Pot
- Vintages
- Leaf & Bean cafe
Room service can also be accessible however a US$7.95 service cost + 18% gratuity applies per stateroom order aside from continental breakfast.
So I requested a few of my pals who by no means thought of cruising earlier than: What do you suppose are in retailer for you on board? Unsurprisingly, most of them mentioned “eat, drink, and party.” But nothing a lot apart from that. I say “unsurprisingly” as a result of years in the past, I assumed the identical, too! When I used to be youthful, the one psychological photographs of cruising to me have been painted by the films I noticed whereby wealthy retirees simply socialize at cocktail events. LOL.
But the reality is, boarding a cruise ship is like getting into one other world. There’s only a globe of issues to do on board! Competition amongst cruise traces is intense, so each one is constantly one-upping the others by providing numerous options, relying on the goal market. Royal Caribbean, for instance, has been filling their new ships to the brim with enjoyable and thrilling facilities. As one among their largest ships, the Spectrum of the Seas has greater than its share of thrilling points of interest and way of life areas.
Here are a few of them:
- RipCord by iFly, simulated skydiving expertise (with additional price)
- FlowRider, simulated browsing exercise (FREE, however teacher charges apply in case you want one)
- Skypad, bungee trampoline with digital actuality headset (FREE)
- Rock climbing wall (FREE)
- Royal Theatre, the place musical and different entertaining performances are commonly staged (most reveals are FREE)
- SeaPlex, a sports activities complicated the place you possibly can trip bumper automobiles; play tennis, pingpong and basketball; strive archery; and extra! (FREE)
- North Star, a glass-enclosed commentary pod and capsule trip that enables a 360-degree view (with additional price)
- Swimming swimming pools and whirlpools (FREE)
- Music corridor, with band performances each evening (FREE)
- Star Moment, karaoke! (FREE)
- Spas and gymnasium (FREE)
- Video recreation arcade
We have been capable of strive nearly all the pieces on the record and we actually had numerous enjoyable! We have been on the Music Hall each evening and would spend our high-seas day attempting many of the rides and points of interest.
And oh, don’t neglect to catch at the very least one of many superior reveals on the Royal Theatre and the Two70!
YES. Children have their very own swimming space, full with water slides.
The SeaPlex, a sports activities complicated, composed of recreation rooms and numerous kid-friendly points of interest like an arcade, online game rooms, archery room, bumper automobiles, and claw machines.
Some of the reveals on the Royal Theatre are additionally healthful, which youngsters can get pleasure from.
The Spectrum of the Seas additionally has a so-called Adventure Ocean program, which is principally a youth membership or day care, the place youngsters ages 3 to 11 can play with different youngsters. Parents can drop off their youngsters right here.
YES, in fact. There’s a motive why most individuals (mistakenly) assume it’s just for retirees and pensioners — in the case of journey types, cruising is a favourite among the many aged!
While the ship is gigantic, it’s fairly simple to discover. It has at the very least 16 visitor elevators: 10 between the aft (again finish) and midship, and one other 6 in direction of the ahead part. From right here, most key points of interest on board are simply accessible.
For company with mobility points, cabins close to the elevators could be requested. Some rooms are additionally particularly designed for PWD company.
Cruising on the whole is fashionable amongst senior vacationers due to the sheer comfort. Guests are nicely taken care of. For instance, you by no means have to hold your baggage. Once you examine it, the workers will ship it to your room. And on the final evening, you possibly can go away it within the hallway once more for the workers to select it up. The subsequent time you’ll see it once more is when you disembark.
On high of all these, all the pieces you want is on board. You might select to not discover the stops or ports of name in any respect and nonetheless have a grand time.
The journey all the time begins and ends in Singapore. But the standard stops, referred to as ports of name, rely upon the quantity nights.
- 3 nights: Penang
- 4 nights: Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur and Penang, OR Penang and Phuket
- 5 nights: Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Penang, AND Phuket
The arrival and departure instances fluctuate, however you’ll normally get only a day or half-day at every cease.
The final full day onboard is normally spent at excessive seas, so that you’ll be on the ship all the time.
You have the choice to e-book a guided tour from Royal Caribbean referred to as SHOREX (Shore Excursion) or you possibly can discover the vacation spot by yourself.
The great thing about becoming a member of a shorex is they are going to be taking good care of all the pieces for you, together with the transfers to and from the port, but it surely normally comes with a inflexible itinerary.
If you need extra freedom and adaptability, you possibly can discover independently. But simply just be sure you’ll be again to the ship earlier than the set time. You can see the arrival and departure instances on the Royal Caribbean app.
Penang and Phuket are fairly simple to discover as a result of the pier isn’t too far-off from the details of curiosity or metropolis middle. But Port Klang is difficult as a result of it’s roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from Kuala Lumpur, relying on site visitors circumstances. This means, you’ll be spending at the very least 3 hours on the street.
Important! You should be absolutely vaccinated to discover ports of name.
No, it’s not included within the revealed charges.
Some journey businesses can supply fly-and-cruise packages, however in case you’re doing it by yourself, you’ll should e-book the flight individually.
If finances is a matter, attempt to seek for per week that can provide you decrease charges for BOTH the cruise AND flights. I do know it’s simpler mentioned than completed, however it’s attainable. I’m able to discover some dates that do match, particularly when airways have seat gross sales.
Airfare is extra erratic, in order that’s what I normally examine first. Don’t e-book flights but, simply scan. Then, whenever you discover low-cost flights to Singapore, seek for an reasonably priced cruise. When you discover one which matches your flight dates, e-book the flight and the cruise instantly. Please thoughts your timings. Take be aware of the departure and arrival instances earlier than finalizing your flight reservation.
Try to be in Singapore at the very least a day earlier than the beginning of crusing. We don’t suggest reserving a flight on the identical day of boarding as a result of a delay in your flight can simply mess up your journey. The ship received’t watch for you.
Again, that relies on numerous elements particularly the room kind and journey dates. But let’s say that you just’re within the most cost-effective attainable possibility — inside stateroom on a crusing scheduled in an off month a 12 months away. Supposing you’re a pair flying from Manila, right here’s how a lot you might be more than likely to spend per individual:
- P10,000 – roundtrip Manila-Singapore flight
- P1620 – Philippine journey tax
- P2500 – 1 evening at a resort in Singapore (P5000/evening divided by 2 pax)
- P15,350 – Cruise (inclusive of meals)
- P5,000 – transportation and incidental bills
- P34,470 – TOTAL
Let’s spherical it off to a clear P35,000.
This is the minimal you possibly can anticipate to spend. But it’s all the time sensible so as to add some allowance for different attainable bills. You may end up wanting a drink, purchase a memento, strive a specialty restaurant or go to an attraction in your free time in Singapore. Having a wiggle room would assist you to get pleasure from extra!
Of course, in case you fail to search out flights and sailings at these costs, you’ll find yourself with the next complete price, so plan your journey nicely.
For cruises departing on or earlier than 30 April 2023: If you or any of your touring celebration exams optimistic for COVID-19 inside 10 days earlier than your crusing date or on the boarding terminal, 100% of the cruise fare shall be refunded.
(As of August 30, 2022)
Okay, earlier than anything, full disclosure: My most up-to-date cruise was sponsored by Royal Caribbean, so I’ll have biases. But in my sincere opinion, sponsored or not, a SPECTRUM OF THE SEAS cruise is price it! Especially in case you’re capable of snag promos and low costs!
It’s a journey expertise that I might suggest in a heartbeat for households, pals, and {couples} celebrating an important day. When I used to be on board, I saved fascinated by how a lot my sister and my senior mom would love the expertise.
I completely loved my keep that I’m already planning on doing it once more, this time with household. (And sure, I shall be shouldering all my bills this time!)
Book at www.cruising.com.ph, the official web site of Royal Caribbean Philippines, managed by Arpan Air, the official representatives of Royal Caribbean within the Philippines.
You can get additional 5% DISCOUNT whenever you use this promo code:.
By reserving on this web site, you may get simpler entry to buyer assist, which is extraordinarily beneficial in case you’ll should make a change to your reserving otherwise you want additional assist.
And through the use of this code, you’ll additionally assist us keep this web site as a result of we’ll get a bit of one thing at NO EXTRA COST to you. So if this text or this weblog on the whole is ready that can assist you, use this promo code to point out your assist. Thank you a lot!