After a series of limited cruises that resumed end-July 2020, Taiwan enters a complete Island-hopping cruise mode with the next round of sea travel by Dream Cruises setting sail earlier last week (October 26). The 6 days, 5 night cruises departed from Keelung and will visit 3 additional islands before heading back to its port of departure. With twenty two sailings successfully completed in the past two months, over 25,000 guests have treated themselves to a long-awaited holiday at sea, enjoying a “vacation away” style travel experience that has embraced a discovery of Taiwan.

Stringent food safety and hygiene protocols have been implemented aboard the Explorer Dream including ensuring health screening, disinfection and cleaning, social distancing and suspension of self-service at the buffet restaurants with all food and beverages being served to guests.

Successful pandemic prevention has led to revitalization of domestic tourism within Taiwan, especially regional development in a planned manner, thereby decongesting other popular tourist hubs and preventing potential large-scale outbreaks. Whilst cruises have struggled at the outset of the pandemic, Taiwan and the operators have ensured no such incident takes place aboard their ships. Currently open for domestic travellers only, no outbreaks have occurred on board due to the implementation of carefully thought-out and well implemented measures. Cruises are expected to play a key role in the opening up plan of Taiwan, once international visitors and air bubbles begin to operate on a regular basis.