Hundreds of cruise passengers set sail from Singapore on Friday, November 6, on a "cruise to nowhere." Safety measures were in place to prevent COVID outbreaks, as the industry is trying to return to regular service.
Ship cruises were suspended worldwide back in March after travel restrictions kicked in and a number of vessels were hit by outbreaks, but have now resumed sailings in a few places.
The "cruise to nowhere" (a roundtrip itinerary with no port calls) has proved a hit, and mask-wearing travelers lined up for COVID tests conducted by workers in protective suits prior to boarding the Asian liner World Dream.
The vessel departed Friday evening into Melaka Strait, a major shipping lane between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The liner headed into international waters before returning to Singapore on Sunday, November 8.
The cruise ship owner (Malaysia's GHK-Genting) introduced safety measures, including regular disinfection of rooms and public areas, reduced capacity at restaurants, advance booking of the swimming pool. The ship's onboard clinic is kitted out with a machine churning out virus test results in just an hour.
World Dream also has an intensive care unit, in case anyone onboard does contract COVID-19.