All Aboard the Royal Albatross

The Southern Albatross offers a different experience Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd

Majestically gliding through the waters of the Singapore Straights, the Royal Albatross welcomes you aboard to fall in love with an exhilarating experience.

Sentosa in Singapore is also harbouring experiences extraordinaire. The Royal Albatross is said to be Singapore’s No 1 Dinner Cruise and Asia’s Most Romantic Dining Experience. As a unique offering it has also cruised straight to the top one percent of Global Attractions as rated by Trip Advisor. As tourists typically stay for only three days in the city state, this makes the Royal Albatross something that should not be missed.

Small, fast and Fun: Southern Albatross
Additionally, the operator of the majestic tallship have also launched a new Southern Albatross attraction experience. This is a 1-hour speedboat adventure around Sentosa Coastline and Southern Islands.  The experience has an educational commentary, and you can get some great instagrammable photos as you discover notable landmarks and places of interest. This option would be labelled exciting, exhilarating and fun. The experience has been so successful that the Albatross Speedboat Adventure Fleet will be expanded to three Albatross Speedboats from 1 March. Sails will be 11 am to 6 pm with eight sails a day, 7 days a week.

Cruising on the Royal Albatross
Romantics, adventurers and explorers may opt for a 2.5 hour dinner cruise to get a different perspective of Singapore while getting a taste of what it would have been like to sail the seven seas. The Royal Albatross lends its name from the bird, although it looks majestic just being moored. Albatrosses travel long distances with two techniques used by many long-winged seabirds - dynamic soaring and slope soaring. A tall ship is a modern term for a traditionally-rigged sailing vessel, which is using a powerful engine for a smooth journey.

The Royal Albatross is berthed in Sentosa, easily accessible and already looking gorgeous even when at anchor Image Stefan Pertz

An Exhilarating Conversion
Apparently, the Royal Albatross, which was originally a cargo ship, would make too much speed under full sail. Although some would certainly want to see that, the dinner cruise is best experienced while gracefully gliding through the Singapore Straight. An experienced crew making the journey a memorable one is supported by the latest technology to navigate and manoeuvre.

The dinner cruise must the be most romantic, yet exhilarating experience in Singapore – Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd

It is oftentimes easier said than done to provide what makes a unique experience. However, with only 100 tall ships sailing worldwide this claim already becomes harder to fulfil. Of these, only a mere five are privately owned, with the Royal Albatross being the only in Asia. It has been completely rebuilt for entertainment and luxury cruises. Its owner is a former entrepreneur who has always had a passion for water. When the ship came up for sale in Chicago, he grabbed it, sailed it to Singapore for re-fitting. What was planned to be a two-year project, took six.

The renovation was prolonged in order to achieve the highest specifications, providing the ultimate safety rating obtainable in Singapore. Riggings and masts were designed by the same people that handled the ships in the movie franchise Pirates of the Caribbean and one can already feel a little bit like Jack Sparrow when the Royal Albatross departs for the City Lights Dinner Cruise.

Putting to Sea
Leaving the berth in Sentosa, the Royal Albatross heads into the sunset. The City Lights Dinner Cruise provides a three-hour escape. Overall, patrons are 54 percent female, 65 percent come from Singapore itself which an average of 40.9 years. One will be seated on the upper deck, under the 22 sails and imposing masts. The City Lights option takes guests from sunshine to sunset, twilight to moonlight. During the cruise the buffet is open and two premium bars serve up delectable dishes. Food is prepared by nine chefs on board, and it takes on an artisanal approach to match the romance. As the sun ditches into the sea, the Singapore skyline lights up to provide the perfect backdrop for the cruise on the Royal Albatross.

 The Royal Albatross sailing the waters around Singapore Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd

Lounging on the comfy seats one can take in the spectacular view, enjoying a different view of the bustling city. A deep draft of four meters and the wide beam of this tall ship provide for ample space between tables and a surprisingly smooth ride. Even when the Royal Albatross is bursting through the wash of other vessels, there is barely any rolling or pitching. Those that may be concerned about getting seasick may venture to try this experience as the set-up of the ship would counter the unwelcome movements. The City Lights cruise comes with free flow of beer, wine and soft drinks. Those more confident in their sea legs may opt for a beverage package that offers spirits. Thanks to the spacious layout of the deck, there is plenty of room for guests to tour the Royal Albatross, snapping memories and having their hair tussled a little by the breeze.

Outstanding Service at Sea
The highly attentive staff ensures that guests are well looked after. It is an art that the crew manages well to be present when needed and to melt into the background when guests may need their privacy. It is not surprising that one will find pictures of celebrities who have been on board in the grand salon. Princesses, F1 drivers and movie stars can be found featured in the hall of fame below decks. Meanwhile, the Royal Albatross itself is a celebrity, being part of Batman the Dark Knight. Many of the crew members have been with the Royal Albatross of 15 years and some can surely spin some yarn! As a combination between a once-in-a-lifetime experience and dinner, the ticket is certainly more than worth it.

Delightful Food
The buffet line under decks offers a tasty selection of mains and desserts. As there are several add-ons and options available for dinner, one should spend some time considering what would be best. The buffet offered is a wholesome culinary journey that allows for guests to dine at their own pace. Sampling the food, enjoying it while being at sea whiles away time, which flies as one has fun. Throughout the ship, carvings done by local craftsman enrich the experience visually. Having completed their work on the wooden decorations, artisans decided to stay on as sailors.

As a versatile venue for corporate or private functions and excursions, the Royal Albatross offers a lot of options. One can pick out seating on the bow, pre-order drinks packages, take the helm, or being adventurous climb the mast. Couples may opt for the Royal Albatross not only to propose during the romantic City Lights cruise, but they could charter the ship to be their wedding venue. Doing so will unlock the owner’s cabin, the pinnacle of luxury on board as the bridal suite.

Educational Pirates
The “Pirates Ahoi!” is an educational programme for kids, offering a more educational approach to a day out on the Royal Albatross. Back by popular demand for the school holidays in March and June for kids and families to have some exciting adventures on the high seas.

Event Space for Unique Adventures
As novelty events, the crew has also organsied the world’s first cat cruise on world cat day.
Owners and cats would be hosted to enjoy a day like no other with special “recliners” for the cats offered to allow the furries to enjoy window seats while two-legged guests had the opportunity to mix and mingle. In 2024, the Royal Albatross team also organised the Gastronomic Sunset Sail dinner experiences.

Themed or corporate events aboard the Royal Albatross new and creative ideas are constantly added as cruise options Image Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd

Besides the romantic, there is an educational element to the dinner cruise, making you feel like one of the explorers sailing the seas to discover new lands 

Patrons would embark on the second season of Gastronomic Sunset Sail featuring two of Singapore’s top prestigious chefs. Each chef showcased their unique fine dining creations, promising an extraordinary sail dining experience on two voyages only. In the dynamic realm of Asian cuisine, two exceptional local chefs are making waves with their unique skills and approaches. Each one, an expert in their field, injects remarkable creativity into their dishes, pushing the boundaries of taste.

Stylish Seafarers
One would want to ensure to be appropriately kitted out for a cruise. Timekeeping has always been crucial for seafarers. The Tudor Black Bay in Bronze is an ideal watch for a ship cruise because of its nautical heritage, durability, and unique aging characteristics. The Black Bay Bronze draws inspiration from Tudor’s history of supplying watches to naval forces, including the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Its vintage, tool-watch aesthetic and warm patina evoke the look of traditional marine instruments.

Bronze is a material favoured in Naval applications Image Stefan Pertz

In particular, Bronze and ships share a deeps connection: Bronze is one of the best materials for maritime environments due to its exceptional resistance to corrosion, seawater, and humidity. Used in ship propellers, diving equipment, boat fittings and portholes, and submarine components it is a unique material that develops a patina which actually protects the metal by way of corrosion of the surface. This self-repairing

Water resistance (200m) makes it suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and deck activities. The Highly legible dial and luminescence help in low-light or underwater conditions. In essence, the Tudor Black Bay Bronze isn’t just a watch—it’s a nautical tool with style and history, making it the perfect companion for a ship cruise.

Dockside Dining
In July 2024, owners of the Royal Albatross launched their Dockside Bar & Restaurant aboard Royal Albatross at anchor, a unique lunchtime dining venue. Patrons can now marvel at the beauty of Royal Albatross dockside at her home berth at Resorts World Sentosa. Experience the ship and our exclusively curated dockside dining menu during the day – an experience not to be missed aboard the Royal Albatross.

Being adventurous, one should experience the Royal Albatross flying its sails, splashing through slightly rougher seas. In the absence of this, the promise of being a unique experience is certainly fulfilled. Memories created, one gets back to shore slightly changed as the this might not have been on one’s bucket list and one can only wonder why it wasn’t.   

My Rediscovery of Beijing

China has re-emerged as a popular tourism destination thanks in part to the country now offering visa on arrival for a lot of countries; excellent connectivity from Southeast Asia make many Chinese cities attractive even for shorter visits. Many visitors are returning now, being impressed by what they have found in a country that has embraced tourism.

Although China has always been a popular travel destination, there are still some areas that will offer a curious traveller the opportunity for some exploration. Re-visiting Beijing after 25 years, the changes have been significant, and positively so. My very first moment that has taken me aback was the arrival at the new airport. Or more precisely stepping out of the building where a clear, blue sky with crisp air greeted me instead of a murky, unsightly dome of pollution that has once been a part of China’s capital.

Maybe Beijing really ought to promote itself more as a destination. During the month of March, the streets are lined with blossoming Cherry trees. It actually felt like that there is more of that in Beijing than in the fabled cities of Osaka and Kyoto. It makes for an extraordinary sight, something that was rather unexpected. While decades ago, a stroll would have been a rather bizarre idea, today, sidewalks and car-free areas invite to take in these sights. Bicycles are still a dominating sight in Beijing, however, nowadays they are oftentimes electric and offered as pay-as-you-go service, activated by using an app.

Beijing is in many ways a cultural centre. In order to get a dose of that, two activities should be considered to be made compulsory stops. The first being a visit to the Summer Palace. Especially those enjoying a good Chinese Soap Opera set in ancient China will find a guided tour particularly interesting as many facts revealed by the guides link to the stories we find on TV. It is a stunning setting, which may be best enjoyed in the wee hours of the day before it gets crowded. The way the sun rises, playing on the thousands of painted panels will make it worthwhile to get moving early in the day. The malls can wait; this is far more intriguing.

The second stop should be a visit to a Hutong. Luckily, those in power have realised that the traditional Hutongs are cultural treasures that need to be conserved as showcases of culture and communities. There are a number of them scattered around Beijing and they vary in their architecture: Their length can vary from 20 meters to 6.5 kilometres; some are as narrow as 40 cm or as wide as 32 meters. Typically, one can find delicious foods in the small restaurants lining the Hutongs. One should not be shy to try. Getting around has become much easier, thanks to modern technology. No longer will one be required to speak the language to motivate a taxi driver to steer to the desired destination. Only certain places may require the help of a local to enter the Chinese characters into “Didi” their local version of a ride-hailing App.

No visit to Beijing would be complete without a visit to the Great Wall. With over 20 000 kilometres in length, there is plenty of that to see. Recently, there have been photos circulating of overcrowded segments of the Great Wall of China and I suppose that does happen. Badaling, which may be synonymous with the Great Wall, is not just one destination. Passing the main area of Badaling, one will find a second area within the area labelled with this name that can be devoid of people.

I could only assume that this particular section of the wall was not very popular with tourists as there is a bit of a hike from the car park to the first stairs into the fortification. However, the cherry blossom lining the path are a magical sight that reward for the effort. The construction seems to have become one with nature as a specific species of moss is said to grow on the Great Wall, protecting it from erosion. On that day, being the only person on this segment of the wall, the might of the undertaking of building the defences became clear again. Standing atop of the first of seven watchtowers, the wall stretched far, sitting on the edges of the hills, as far as one could see. Climbing the steep steps in stunned silence almost became a meditation. Traversing this refurbished segment of the wall with its seven watchtowers would take several hours. There is a lot to learn about and from the Great Wall of China: I will need to return soon again.

Of course, when in Beijing, one has to have a duck! This popular dish has since made more accessible with chain restaurants now making the Peking Duck more accessible to the masses. The culinary scene of Beijung is, of course, impressive. However, I found that the little shops interspersed with the housing estates are most intriguing. Casual and tasty, there is a variety of food stuffs that is delicious, yet very economical. It may take a little getting used to, however, another must try is Beiju. Available in supermarkets and specialty shops, this spirit comes in elaborate and intricate packaging, making it the perfect gift to bring home. The one bottle that may have left me speechless, as it was that unexpected, was in the shape of a nuclear submarine.

The two visits may have been 25 years apart, however, each have been exploration of places. It would be fair to say that in both instances, Beijing has been taking me by surprise. Today, this modern city will surely exceed expectations of those that would want to get a taste of China. While the Great Wall of China was build to keep people out, maybe today, it is a symbol of how the city would like to keep us inside, to continue to explore?

More Octomore!

This is the most Octomore I have seen assembled in one place. "Kim's Mart" in Beijing has all the good stuff. There was also a huge selection of cheese and cold cuts. Naturally, we were rather jealous as the selection of these items seems limited in Malaysia compared to what we found on display here.

Where were we?

Been two months since I last posted. A lot has happened and it was a breathless race through the days. The year has started very promising with a lot of cool arrangements for travel being made. More unusual destinations seem to be coming up this year. Not complaining about that. 

Mostly, we have been grilling. I think there have already been four massive BBQ sessions this year. Last Friday, I was happily breaking in the grill a friend got for his birthday. According to the description, this portable Barbecook "Billy" (You could burn an Ikea shelf of the same name in it), it is suitable to cook for up to 4 persons. Nonsense. We were 12 and that did not make it more difficult... Guess it takes a pro? Anyway, I want one of these now. Would like to have it so I can grill when I am travelling. 

Some steak was involved in the grilling the other day. Was actually thinking that this could be an interesting "business": Grill for other people for their parties. Could set up in a place at 4am, sit around on their porch and prepare some pulled pork. Then add other items later on, making it an experience.