Singaporean travellers and travel agents will soon be able to experience what it’s like to cruise with Royal Caribbean without stepping foot on a ship.

The cruise line has harnessed virtual reality (VR) technology to create its new “Holideck” – a sales tool that allows users to experience a range of onboard amenities, including its restaurant and accommodation plus activities such as its surfing simulator, rock climbing wall and dodgem cars.

The VR tool will also provide a virtual preview of North Star, the elevated glass capsule that extends out from Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, 90 metres above the sea.

The ‘Holideck’ will be available at Royal Caribbean’s booth at the NATAS Travel Fair, which takes place in Singapore next month, as well as at the company’s roadshows.

The cruise line is also distributing cardboard VR headsets that play a VR video showcasing other key features of the ship, including the Royal Promenade, ice show, skydiving simulator and suite accommodation. This will be offered to Royal Caribbean’s travel agents in Singapore and international representatives as part of its latest sales tool kit.

“A Royal Caribbean cruise is the holiday for guests all of ages… [and] our new exciting VR campaign lets consumers get closer to the real thing. Riding the VR wave goes hand-in-hand with the brand of next generation cruising,” said Nicole Lai, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ marketing manager for Singapore & Southeast Asia.

The VR tools form part of Royal Caribbean’s new marketing campaign, entitled “Where Everyone Gets What They Need”, which launched today (6 July 2017) with a television commercial to mark the start of the cruise line’s 10th anniversary celebrations in Singapore. This will be backed up by a series of other advertisements across Singapore, including promotions on the city’s MRT network.