Cruising to nowhere just got easier now that guests only need to take an ART on the day of their trip from 8 November. But it gets even sweeter — find out how to use YouTrip on board, plus tips and tricks to save time and money on the ship!
When was the last time you went on a cruise? For me, it was at the age of five — and so, as you’d expect, my impression of a cruise includes the scent of sunblock, full days at the water playground, and a consistent flow of fruit juice. Not too shabby eh? But as a person nearing the latter part of my twenties, water playgrounds and fruit juice just aren’t big enough draws to get me onboard anymore. Well, that was till I heard about Royal Caribbean Singapore and their Cruise to Nowhere, and what they were doing to make this strange travel season a little less difficult for the average person.
Royal Caribbean Singapore: Cruise to Nowhere In a Nutshell
👉🏻 As the name suggests, you’re sailing to nowhere so don’t expect to dock and explore. But you will get to enter Malaysian and Indonesian waters — plus, seeing nothing but blue seas for days is a sweet treat away from the cityscape IMO
👉🏻 The party starts from the moment you board, but do note that the cruise only departs around 8 pm
👉🏻 You’ll need two apps for your trip: TraceTogether (or just bring your token along), and the Royal Caribbean app — which is vital for booking shows, activities and dining. Download the app beforehand to save some time!
If you’re looking to embark on one of their cruises but wondering how you can employ your YouTrip card to make full use of our sweet wholesale exchange rates to spend more for less on board the ship — keep scrolling!
💉 Royal Caribbean Singapore: Entry Requirements
Before we get into all that fun stuff, first things first! Back in September, Royal Caribbean Singapore announced that all guests above the age of 12 going on board the cruise are required to be fully vaccinated.
In a recent report by the Straits Times, from 8 November on, guests will no longer have to take a pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Instead, they will have to take an antigen rapid test (ART) at the cruise terminal on the day of departure — the ARTs will be included in the cruise fare, and guests will have to register for the test and ensure that it is taken one hour before the official arrival time.
This requirement will be here to stay till the end of November. From 2 December, ARTs will be taken at Raffles City Convention Centre on the sale of sailing. Do ensure to abide by these rules or you will not be allowed aboard the cruise!
How to Spend On Board the Royal Caribbean Singapore?
First of all, do take note that all onboard prices are in USD. This means that your card will be billed in US dollars, and then converted into SGD. This is why YouTrip is key for these transactions to ensure that you skip all those pesky bank fees!
For every purchase made, you’ll receive a receipt — this will all be collated into a final statement that will be delivered right to your room on the final morning of your cruise for your verification.
| What Is It? | How You Can Use YouTrip With It | |
| SeaPass Cards | 👉🏻 Your onboard expense account, i.e. a cashless system for all your purchases (services included) on the ship (except those that require cash i.e gambling) 👉🏻 According to Royal Caribbean Singapore, this card will be either handed out to you at the pier or left in your room 👉🏻 Do note that all complimentary onboard credits are not redeemable for cash and are not transferable — spend it or lose it! 🚨 *Important: If you notice holds on your card, it is the cruise’s way of ensuring funds are available for your purchases: 👉🏻 These holds aren’t charges, but they reduce your available balance so ensure that you’re transferring more into your YouTrip account just in case 👉🏻 Most holds are released within 3 to 5 business days | 💜 Each account may be set up with a credit card or as a cash account. If you’ve chosen the former, convert your SGD to USD beforehand with the YouTrip app and link your YouTrip Mastercard up 👉🏻 If you’re travelling with friends who do not have a YouTrip card, SeaPass allows you to create a master account and add guests as authorised purchasers on your account so they can reap the benefits of YouTrip’s wholesale exchange rates too! 👉🏻 Only after you’ve verified the statement (on the final morning) will the bill be charged to your card (you don’t have to do anything if nothing is wrong) 👉🏻 Alternatively, If you’ve opted for a cash account, you will be required to settle the statement on board prior to disembarking |
| Cash | 👉🏻 If you require cash for certain activities, you may head on over to the Relations Desk and cash in travellers’ cheques for foreign currency exchange 👉🏻 Alternatively, you may make use of the ATM services on board | 💜 Skip out on the bank fees when you use YouTrip’s 24/7 in-app money changer to swap your SGD for USD before withdrawing it at the ATMs on board 👉🏻 Just take note that there are withdrawal fees of the ATMs on the Royal Caribbean |
Royal Caribbean Singapore: Can I Pay For The Cruise With YouTrip?
Yes! Fortunately, Royal Caribbean accepts payments for bookings with Mastercard. Just take note that you will need to make the full payment if you choose to book the cruise online — so transfer enough into your YouTrip account to ensure your stateroom is reserved!
You’re paying for everything you might need during your stay on board the ship. However, it does not include some extra things such as speciality restaurants, massages or spa treatment, certain beverages, casino gaming, photographs, gratuities, internet, or telephone calls. So be warned! If digital detoxes aren’t your thing, you may choose to purchase Voom, their wifi package, from US$15.99 (~S$21.60) per day.
All Aboard Royal Caribbean Singapore!
As we progress towards an endemic, let’s do our part to ensure that we have taken the necessary precautions when going out or travelling — even if it’s just on a cruise to nowhere for now.
As always, make sure you’ve got your YouTrip card ready to take advantage of our wholesale exchange rates for all purchases when embarking on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and on all your international online shopping.
If you don’t have a YouTrip card yet, use <BLOG5> during your sign-up to enjoy a free S$5 in your account! For more great guides and tips like this, join our Telegram Channel and subscribe to our free weekly newsletter here or down below.
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