Expat Choice | World FURst Singapore's Tall Ship Royal Albatross Launches Cat Cruise

From the curators of the world’s only Dog Cruise (which has taken over 2,200 dogs for a sail so far since its launch in April 2021); it is time to get ready for the world’s fur-st Cat Cruise aboard the stunning Royal Albatross – a 47m luxury tall ship based in Singapore and winner of Singapore’s Most Outstanding Attraction Experience (Singapore Tourism Awards, 2022).

The Royal Albatross’s owner-operator, CEO, dog paw-rent and cat lover, Mr. Peter Pela explains; “We have seen a strong demand from owners wanting to bring their cats on our Dog Cruise, so we extensively researched if and how to permit cats onboard safely. After conducting trials and consulting with numerous experts and authorities including vets, The Cat People, SPCA, Cat Welfare Society and NParks, we are very excited to announce that we have designed the purr-fect Sunset Dinner Cruise especially for our feline friends and their paw-rents, to share precious, family moments of togetherness at their dining table that will be remembered forever.”

Cat Togetherness Cuddles At Cat Cruise

Pela continues; “We are well aware that some cats are kept exclusively indoors and may be nervous or even scared to venture outside, so we want to be clear that Cat Cruise is not for all. However, with the right education, precautions and responsible pet ownership, cats and their owners can share an outing that is an extremely enjoyable bonding experience safely. For our own self-education, we have teamed up with SPCA to train our entire crew on cat safety and welfare so we can be proactive during the cruise and help prevent accidents onboard. There shall also be a special cat safety briefing by the Captain to ensure everyone onboard is aware of necessary paw-cautions.”

Cat Cruise Catacombe With Seaview

The Cat Cruise is a unique experience that celebrates Singapore’s love for cats, and it’s the goal for the Royal Albatross to build a greater bond for families and their pets. The company believes that there is more that can be done to integrate cats and dogs in the daily lifestyle. Giving owners a venue to experience and an opportunity to build a bond by creating a closer and more rewarding relationship with their “fur babies”.

To ensure the best experience for all, the focus on the cat cruise will be on keeping the kitties safe, relaxed, comfortable, and stimulated with amazing sea views. Unlike the 3-course gourmet food that is served to the doggies on Dog Cruise, the cats shall not be fed onboard as cats are less food motivated than dogs. Instead, Royal Albatross has partnered with PetCubes to provide a furry goody bag containing a gourmet cat dinner which the cats can enjoy in the comforts of their home, in accordance with their usual feeding routine.

Pussy Cat Lounge And Cat Playground

To ensure a purr-fect Sunset Dinner Cruise, feline companions shall have access to a personal cabin or “Catacomb” with guaranteed sea views right next to their “paw- rents” table. Other unique cat-centric experiences onboard include the “Pussy Cat Lounge” in the air-conditioned Grand Salon with playtime activities and cat themed entertainment for all.

Additionally, to enhance the experience for all cat loving guests, the Royal Albatross will invite speakers from expert cat welfare organisations to help educate and encourage responsible cat ownership. Donation boxes will be made available onboard for Singapore’s leading cat charities.

Fur Family Togetherness At Cat Cruise

Cat Cruise promises to be a unique, fun, and memorable 2.5-hour sail-dining experience from sunset to moonlight, for both pawrents and their furkids that will take them from Royal Albatross’ berth at Resorts World Sentosa, along Sentosa’s amazing coastline and around the beautiful Southern Islands on board a traditionally rigged tall ship with 4-masts, 22-sails and over 200 ropes. Guests shall enjoy a delicious and beautifully presented 4-course meal with an optional 7-course and wine pairing upgrade (for humans only), all freshly prepared on-board with charming live- entertainment.

The inaugural Cat Cruise shall set sail on Tuesday 8th August @ 6.30pm in celebration of International Cat Day and then on selected Tuesdays every month.

Tickets and the full sailing schedule are available on the website at tallship.com.sg. More Cat Cruise sailing dates shall be announced in due course.

a. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269

e. [email protected]

w. www.tallship.com.sg/events/catcruise

fb. www.facebook.com/royalalbatross.sg

ig. www.instagram.com/royalalbatross

t. +65 9350 7475

You May Also Like

A Message From Singapore's The Royal Albatross CEO Peter Pela

Please Log In or Join to leave a rating or comment

Comments

Douglas

23 Aug 2023 , Wed

61 comments

CONTRIBUTOR

RATED 8 / 8

As someone passionate about unique culinary adventures, I was thrilled to be invited aboard the Royal Albatross for the launch of the World's first-ever Cat Cruise. This “paw-some” experience exceeded my expectations, offering the “purr-fect” balance of luxury sailing, gourmet dining, and quality time with furry companions. I’m having fun with puns but I’ll “cur-tail” my excitement.

The Royal Albatross, a stunning 47-meter tall ship, is a maritime marvel. Docked at Resorts World Sentosa adjacent to the renowned S.E.A. Aquarium, she boasts four towering masts, 22 billowing sails, and over 200 ropes. From the moment I stepped aboard and swapped my shoes for comfy slippers, I felt transported to a bygone era of exploration on the high seas. It really feels like a pirate ship, and anytime soon, Captain Jack Sparrow will greet you heartily,

As we set sail towards Singapore's southern islands, the gentle evening breeze and hypnotic rocking of the waves set a tranquil mood. The evening was overcast, so the sheltering canopy was drawn, blocking the view of the evening sky. An hour or so into the voyage, the weather shaped up, the skies were clear, and time to fold up the canopy Once the canopy was rolled back, I was spellbound by the maze of rigging and lights illuminating the decks. It was dreamlike, gliding through the inky darkness with a few twinkling stars overhead.

While the sailing experience alone is worth the price of admission, the Royal Albatross also excels at dining. The talented galley team prepares a mouth-watering 5-course menu celebrating flavours from across Asia. My voyage commenced with plump Garlic Prawns and blistered shishito peppers, followed by a savoury Carrot and Barley Soup. Miso-glazed Salmon and Chicken Roulade impressed next before a light and sweet Pavlova provided the perfect finish. Live music from guitarist Carlos Ramirez accompanied this movable feast.

Yet the true stars of this cruise are its VIP furry guests. While humans dine, the resident cats explore cozy padded enclosures or curl up in laps for belly rubs and ear scratches. Watching these curious kitties take in the sea's sights, sounds and smells is a joy. Cuteness overload during dinner was a welcome attraction. SPCA has trained all the staff to watch for nervousness, cat anxiety and how to handle the cats. Safety for the cats is as paramount as it is for the human passengers. The Royal Albatross worked extensively with veterinary experts to perfect protocols enabling cats to enjoy the sailing life aboard the Royal Albatross.

Did you know cats have been onboard seafaring vessels for centuries, valued for rodent control and companionship? The is a rich history of cats on board ships. 500 years ago, having cats on board kept the rodent population in check, excusing the ship from carrying damaged goods insurance. Through the centuries, ships’ cats weren’t just pest controllers, they were beloved pets. Providing a pleasant cruise for modern house cats celebrates this maritime tradition.

When you want to treat your feline to share a special evening together, the Royal Albatross Cat Cruise is the “purr-fect” choice. As the first-ever cat-friendly dining sail in the world, it's truly a unique and celebratory “meow-ment”. The pooches have had their Singapore sea adventures for years, and now it is time to book your tickets and set sail into the Singapore night alongside your furry first mate! No cat? No worries! It’s a perfect and unique dining experience for us humans, too.