Two cruise ships will be hosting ‘cruises to nowhere’ in a new test of potential health and safety measures for future sailings.

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Genting Cruise Lines’ World Dream will be sailing on a round-trip from Singapore, where they homeport, on itineraries that feature no ports of call.

Both ships will also operate at a reduced passenger capacity of 50%, with the trips open only to Singapore residents.

World Dream will sail in November, while Quantum of the Seas is due to sail in December.

The unusual cruises have been organised by the Singapore Tourism Board, as it continues to develop a ‘CruiseSafe certification programme’. The two sailings will be used as tests for some of the new measures which could be enforced for cruises.

These include mandatory COVID-19 testing prior to boarding (for both passengers and crew members), 100% fresh air throughout the ship, emergency response plans for covid-related incidents, and enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures.

Passengers will also be asked to wear a face mask and adhere to the social distancing rules.

Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive at the Singapore Tourism Board, said: “This cruise pilot is a valuable opportunity for cruise operators to reinvent the entire cruise experience in order to regain the confidence of passengers.