Royal Caribbean is about to cruise again -- but only this country's residents can sail
In a significant milestone for the comeback of cruising, Royal Caribbean is resuming sailings today in Asia, where it long has had a significant operation.
The world's largest cruise line is launching short cruises from Singapore with a single vessel -- the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas.
The 16-deck-high cruise ship -- the 13th largest in the world -- will operate three- and four-night "cruises to nowhere" from the city-state that don't include any port stops.
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The cruises, notably, will be the first that Royal Caribbean has operated since the cruise industry shut down operations in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, they'll be the first cruises operated by any major North America-based brand since the shutdown. Most major cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Holland America have canceled all sailings worldwide through at least February or March.
The new sailings, no doubt, are an exciting development for Royal Caribbean fans eager to get back on the water -- as well as cruise fans in general. Royal Caribbean accounts for nearly a fifth of all cruises taken worldwide.
But if you count yourselves among those fans, take note that there's a catch for those wanting to book one of the Singapore trips: For now, they're only open to residents of Singapore.
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Singapore is allowing cruise ships to resume sailings out of the city-state for locals only in the wake of a sharp drop in COVID-19 cases since the summer. The island nation has almost completely eradicated the illness, recording fewer than 10 cases a day on most days for the past two months.
Royal Caribbean is the second cruise line that Singapore has allowed to restart operations out of the city-state. Asia-based Dream Cruises began short cruises from Singapore on Nov. 6 with a single ship, the 3,376-passenger World Dream.
Royal Caribbean is implementing a wide range of anti-COVID health measures on the sailings -- many of which we're likely to see when the line resumes sailings in North America.
Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles
The measures include reducing the number of passengers allowed on the ship by as much as 50%. The initial sailing today will be capped at around 1,000 passengers.
Royal Caribbean also is requiring COVID-19 tests for passengers before boarding and social distancing on board. In addition, Quantum of the Seas' ventilation system has been enhanced with new filtration, and new cleaning measures have been put in place.
Quantum of the Seas is scheduled to continue the new short sailings from Singapore for the next four months.
Royal Caribbean has canceled all other sailings worldwide through at least Jan. 1. The line normally operates 26 ships.
Cruising has resumed in a very limited way in recent months in parts of Europe, led by Europe-based lines such as MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and TUI Cruises. A handful of lines in other parts of the world including French Polynesia also have resumed limited sailings.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees