Royal Caribbean to bring 300,000 cruise passengers to Malaysia

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (left) accompanied by Royal Caribbean's Managing Director of Royal Caribbean, Angie Stephen to look at Royal Caribbean cruises at Swettenham Pier (SPCT) Cruise Terminal, Georgetown. NSTP/DANIAL S

GEORGE TOWN: Award-winning global cruise brand - Royal Caribbean International is expected to bring some 300,000 cruise passengers from around the globe to Malaysian shores this year.

The latest to make its maiden call at the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal (SPCT), here, is the Spectrum of the Seas which has a complement of 5,622 passengers.

Royal Caribbean (Asia-Pacific) managing director Angie Stephen said the commitment to bring in two of Royal Caribbean’s largest and most innovative ships in 2019 underscores it's confidence in the region, which the company expect to continue experiencing record-breaking growth.

“2019 is an exciting year for Royal Caribbean. Not only are we celebrating our 50th anniversary as a global brand, we are also embarking on a new era for cruising in Southeast Asia with the arrival of two Quantum Class ships.

"Malaysia, as one of the region’s most significant cruise destinations, plays a huge role in this important milestone, and we look forward to growing the cruise industry here and in the region," she said recently.

Spectrum of the Seas will see three departures from Singapore – a three night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) on May 18; a four night cruise to Penang on May 21; and a nine night one-way cruise from Singapore to Shanghai, with calling at Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Hong Kong on May 25.

In total, Spectrum of the Seas alone is expected to bring in over 12,000 cruise passengers to Malaysia on her three calls this year.

The arrival of Spectrum of the Seas marks the start of the company's Double Quantum year in the region.

Present at the SPCT were Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi and SPCT chairman Jeffrey Chew.

Following in the wake of the Spectrum of the Seas, the region will also welcome her sister ship, Quantum of the Seas which will bring 4,905 cruise passengers, later in November 2019. It will have a six-month season with 34 deoartures.

Her itineraries will includes a four night cruise to Phuket and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) or Penang; five night cruise to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Penang and Phuket; a seven night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang) (overnight) and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My); and a nine night cruise to Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Hue - Danang (Chan May).

-nst online.