IN A survey conducted by Royal Caribbean International (RCI), it was found that 86 per cent of Singaporeans underestimated the value of cruising.
The survey of 1,000 local respondents revealed that 66 per cent did not know that accommodation and food were included in the total price of a cruise package, while 61 per cent thought they had to pay additional fees to take part in activities such as rock-climbing and mini-golf.
Royal Caribbean’s managing director of Singapore and South-east Asia, Sean Treacy, said: “Many local travellers are unaware of what is included in a cruise package. For example, the survey showed that around six out of 10 Singaporeans (63 per cent) think that enjoying a Broadway Show on board, or even ordering room service, incur an extra fee – when it’s actually all-inclusive.
“We often have our guests telling us how surprised they are by the types of activities they can do on board for free. This includes having simulated skydiving and surfing experiences, going on an elevated observation capsule and attending a circus school on board,” he added.
According to Treacy, this shows that there is still a lot to do to educate local travellers about the value of an all-inclusive cruise experience over land-based holidays.
To overcome such misconceptions of cruise holidays, RCI has launched a Sea vs Land challenge, which will see Singapore’s savviest value hunters compete to complete as many cruise activities on land for the same price as a cruise package. Finalists stand a chance to win a cruise holiday for two to Hong Kong on board Voyager of the Seas.
For more information on the challenge, please visit www.seavsland.com.sg.
