Taiwan is set to become the first country in the world to resume cruise ship services as part of plans to boost tourism in the post-pandemic new life, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said June 30.
 
According to the MOTC, the government has teamed up with a domestic travel agency to offer island-hopping cruise packages on the Explorer Dream, operated by Hong Kong-based Genting Group. The vessel will depart Aug. 2 from the northern port city of Keelung, with stops at outlying Penghu and Kinmen or Penghu and Lienchiang Counties.
 
MOTC Minister Lin Chia-lung said the new initiative builds on a major tourism initiative beginning July 1 that offers Taiwan nationals discounts and subsidies for hotel stays, park admissions and travel packages.
 
It is also part of preparations for the Tourism Bureau’s Year of Island Hopping Tourism set for 2023, Lin said, adding that it offers an attractive option for vacationers while promoting the economic development of the country’s outlying islands.
 
The Explorer Dream is currently docked in Keelung, with its 588 crew members completing 14 days of quarantine before receiving a final test to confirm they are coronavirus free. Only those with a negative result will be allowed to report back to the ship ahead of seven days of self-health management, the MOTC said.

To comply with the government’s disease-fighting measures, the ministry said the cruise will operate at half capacity, with between 1,200 and 1,800 passengers aboard per itinerary. The ship will be equipped with 22 negative pressure isolation rooms in case of a virus outbreak. (SFC-E)
 
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