(TITC) - On 22nd August 2023, Spectrum Of The Seas Quantum-Ultra-class cruise ship (operated by Royal Caribbean International - RCI), arrived at Tan Cang - Cai Mep (Phu My Town, Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province). Celebratory events were held onboard, in recognition of Spectrum’s new 12-night sailings and to acknowledge Royal Caribbean’s future sailings to Vietnam.
Attending the welcome Ceremony onboard Spectrum of the Seas were Mr. Nguyen Van Tho - Chairman of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provincial People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh - Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Ms. Anne Benjaminson - Deputy Consul General of the United States in Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Angie Stephen - Vice President and managing director, Asia-Pacific, RCI , Mr. Wu Huimin - Captain of Spectrum of the Seas.
(L-to-R) – Spectrum of the Seas’ Captain Wu Huimin, U.S. Consulate General HCMC Deputy Principal Officer Anne Benjaminson, Angie Stephen, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia-Pacific, RCI, Chairman of People’s Committee of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province Nguyen Van Tho, and Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh at the Welcome Ceremony on 22nd Aug in Phu My (Photo: Organising Board)
Ms. Angie Stephen, Vice President and managing director, Asia-Pacific, RCI said, Vietnam is a popular tourist destination for Singaporean tourists as well as visitors from across the world. It is a great pleasure to celebrate the sailings to Phu My onboard with key government and tourism industry stakeholders. This event also coincides with the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership. Passengers on the cruise ship will disembark to explore nearby attractions, experience coastal excursions such as visiting Buddhist temples, taking in the Bay of Boats (Vung Tau) and enjoying guided tours in Ho Chi Minh City which will offer an economic benefit to the already thriving tourism industry.
Ms. Angie Stephen, Vice President and managing director, Asia – Pacific, RCI congrats the recovery of the international cruise industry (Photo: Organising Board)
Ms. Angie Stephen gifting souvenir to VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh (Photo: Organising Board)
Chairman of People’s Committee of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Nguyen Van Tho stated, every year, the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province welcomes a large number of international tourists, including visitors from cruises. Post pandemic, the tourism industry of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has implemented many solutions to restore and develop tourism, which has maintained a good growth rate and made a positive contribution to the overall growth of the province. This event has contributed the province the opportunity to promote and affirm Ba Ria-Vung Tau as a safe, friendly and attractive destination for international tourists, including from the cruising market.
Spectrum of the Seas (Photo: BRVT News)
Chairman of VNAT Nguyen Trung Khanh highly appreciated the efforts of Royal Caribbean in quickly restoring international cruise tourism, and expressed delight for RCI’s choosing Vietnam as the venue for the ceremony to celebrate the recovery of the international cruise industry.
Deputy Principal Officer (DPO) Anne Benjaminson from the U.S. Consulate General HCMC had speeches stating, “We are so happy to see the rejuvenation of the cruise ship and tourism industry in Southeast Asia and especially in Vietnam, the region is such an attractive destination for American tourists and investors. Tourism and trade services are a huge component of our bilateral partnership and 2023 marks 10 years of this comprehensive partnership.”
Spectrum of the Seas luxury cruise ship (Cyprus nationality) from Hong Kong carried more than 4,300 passengers from France, Germany, Spain, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong (China) to Ba Ria-Vung Tau… After docking, passengers on board participated in a country tour in Ba Ria - Vung Tau, a Vung Tau City tour and explored vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.
Previously, on 21st August, Spectrum of the Seas (of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines) arrived in Nha Trang (Central) during its visit to Vietnam.
Tourism Information Technology Center