Royal Caribbean new cruise market entrant

Royal Caribbean International is turning its spotlight on Vietnamese cruise vacationers and this country, which the company's director of business development in Asia Pacific described as a market of importance and great potential.

"Vietnam is definitely an important link in our Asian development," Kelvin Tan told the Daily on Rhapsody of the Seas yesterday when the giant vessel docked at Phu My Port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province.

Tan said Vietnam had emerged as a popular destination on the world's tourism map, especially for European and North American guests. "The country has many beautiful and historical cities along the coast."

He clarified guests aboard a Royal Caribbean ship would be able to visit Vietnam's economic hub of HCMC, the World Heritage-listed sites of Hue and Hoi An in the central region, as well as Hanoi and the World Heritage site of Halong Bay, both in northern Vietnam.

Tan stressed Royal Caribbean was targeting guests in Vietnam and elsewhere in Asia for the company's short cruises with about three to five nights. "I think these short cruises will be very popular with Vietnamese customers."

Tan said there were a few ways for Vietnamese passengers to board a Royal Caribbean ship in Asia. "This season, we are operating in Singapore and Hong Kong so guests should fly to these destinations to board our ship for cruises. So it is definitely an air-sea package."

Tan explained Vietnamese passengers did not have to apply for a visa for the cruises covering Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. However, they have to get visas for the cruise from Hong Kong to Japan.

Vietnamese passengers will have to pay US$300 on average for a package with three nights of staying on a Royal Caribbean ship, and the cost does not include airfare, he said.

"The cost is very affordable as it covers all the fees for accommodation, meals, entertainment shows and other activities and services when they are aboard our ship," Tan said. He added a cruise offered passengers an opportunity to relax and visit many destinations in one time.

Actually, Royal Caribbean ships have docked in Vietnam several times, including in 2000 and 2001, but this time was quite different.

"The big difference is that we come here now to cater to all Asian passengers, including Vietnamese. In the past, we mainly catered to Europeans and North Americans," Tan said.

He furthered Royal Caribbean started its plan for the itinerary in Asia, and chose Vietnam when looking for Asian ports for its ships to dock.

Over the past years, Royal Caribbean has already serviced Vietnamese guests on its short cruises from Singapore or on its Mediterranean cruise last year.

"We have seen interest of travel agents and more people in our Royal Caribbean ships. We feel that now is the right time to come to this market as the demand for outbound tours is growing very fast. I think people start to accept the cruise and this is very important," Tan said.

Royal Caribbean ships will come back to Vietnam this year and next, Tan said after the tour organized by Hanoi Toserco for travel agents and reporters to inspect the Rhapsody of the Seas.

The cruise ship with some 1,900 passengers aboard left Vietnam for Thailand last night after visiting Halong, Danang and Nha Trang cities.

Pham Phu Tron, director of Hanoi Toserco in HCMC, told the Daily that the Hanoi-based company and other travel firms now arranged package tours that cover cruises and holidays in Singapore and Hong Kong. (SGT)