Norwegian cruise line invites travellers to celebrate 2021 with its most popular "Take 5" offer

Wazzup Pilipinas!

- Guests Receive up to US$2,900 in Value –

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 54-year history of breaking boundaries, is ringing in the new year with its exciting ‘Take 5’ offer, providing up to US$2,900 in value for a limited time*. NCL’s most popular promotion sees all stateroom categories across all ships and destinations receiving all five ‘Free at Sea’ offers, with 50% reduced deposits and 30% off voyage total fare also available as a combination promotion. 

With NCL’s ‘Take 5’ promotion, guests in Asia-Pacific can enjoy the following free offers:

1. A beverage package: Guests can raise a glass whenever they choose - with NCL’s ships featuring up to 22 bars and lounges – whether that be a mouth-watering cocktail in Shaker’s Martini Bar, taking in the sunset with a margarita at the Great Outdoors Bar, or deciding between one of the more than 50 bottled beers available in The District Brew House, to name but a few. 

2. A shore excursion credit: Explorers can find their happy place with NCL’s vast range of immersive shore excursions, from discovering the rugged wilderness of Alaska to the ancient temples and traditions of Asia.

3. A specialty dining package: With more than 40 restaurant, bar and lounge options available across the NCL fleet, guests will have a range of dining delights at their fingertips. From a new take on old-world Italian fare in Onda by Scarpetta, to traditional Mexican flavours with a modern twist in Los Lobos, or authentic slow-roasted Brazilian meats in Moderno, travellers are invited to take their tastebuds on a voyage around the world, without having to step foot off the ship! 

4. A Wi-Fi package: Happiness soars when shared– with NCL’s free Wi-Fi package, guests can share their memorable holiday moments with friends and family back home and stay connected while onboard with an internet package that can be used throughout the ship. 

5. NCL’s ‘3rd and 4th guest sail at a reduced rate’ (on select sailings): Why not make your next cruise holiday a family affair? This offer allows the 3rd and 4th guest on a reservation to sail at a reduced rate on select cruises. 

“The start of a new year is the perfect time to plan for new bucket-list experiences for 2021 and beyond, and ‘Take 5’ provides extraordinary value for travellers looking to book their next dream holiday. 

Available fleetwide across all our 300 plus stunning destinations – including Europe, Alaska, Asia, Hawaii and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand - the world is your oyster. For cruisers wanting to explore the beauty of their own backyard, ‘Take 5’ is also available across our forthcoming Asia￾Pacific voyages onboard Norwegian Sun,” said Ben Angell, Norwegian Cruise Line Vice President and Managing Director, APAC.

For guests looking to explore the wonders of Asia, Norwegian Sun offers superb voyages from October 2020 onwards. Exquisitely refurbished in 2018, Norwegian Sun has plenty of generously sized 

accommodation options, a wide variety of bars, delectable dining choices and thrilling entertainment such as Rock You Tonight, a high-energy tribute to rock icons as Queen, Journey and The Who.

Norwegian Sun is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a day of adventures onshore.

Singapore Airlines and Collinson launch pilot Covid-19 pre+departure testing for outbound travel from Singapore

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Collinson have announced that all SIA passengers flying outbound from Singapore and Indonesia (bound for Singapore) will be able to book pre-departure polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and serology tests as part of a trial service.

Collinson – a global leader in the provision of traveller experiences, including medical and security assistance – will lead and manage the process; and subject to success, the programme is expected to be expanded to include more cities in the SIA and SilkAir network.

This is the first time that Singapore Airlines has offered pre-departure testing services with a global partner to its passengers. The newly developed and secure portal, seamlessly accessible via Singapore Airlines’ flight booking platforms, will enable customers to request an appointment for a pre-departure test with their preferred in-city clinic from a given list of testing facilities. Upon completion of their test, customers will automatically receive notification of their test results within 36 hours, which if negative, can then be used for travel.

Todd Handcock, President, Asia Pacific, Collinson said: “Our partnership with Singapore Airlines helps to enable the safe reopening of key routes for travellers and is another step forward in our aim to achieve the long-term, safe return of global travel. COVID-19 has brought challenges for businesses and individuals alike around the world, and while there’s optimism that the roll-out of vaccines will help to bring an end to the pandemic, there remains a complex road ahead. In order to restore confidence in travel, the implementation of safe and robust testing protocols remains key.”

Ms JoAnn Tan, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning for SIA, comments: “As more countries demand pre-departure test results for entry, this pilot is a reflection of our ongoing efforts to provide passengers with the support they need to feel safe. And by providing seamless access to booking a pre-departure test, our passengers can enjoy a much more streamlined experience with Singapore Airlines.”

Collinson is also working in partnership with London Heathrow Airport, London Luton Airport, London City Airport and Manchester Airports Group in the UK – which includes Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands Airports – as well as leading airlines globally; and have performed more than 90,000 COVID-19 tests to date.

The trial also includes pre-departure testing for all SIA passengers flying to Singapore from Jakarta and Medan

Service available since 19 January, with the pilot due to run until mid-March

The newly developed and secure COVID-19 test appointment booking portal is seamlessly accessible via Singapore Airlines’ flight booking platforms

Collinson, a global leader in the provision of traveller experiences, including medical and security assistance, to lead and manage the process

Focused on supporting the safe, long-term return of global travel, Collinson has performed more than 90,000 COVID-19 tests for travellers to date working in partnership with leading airlines and airports globally, including London Heathrow

PLDT Enterprise enables eLearning for South City Homes Academy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

PLDT Enterprise, continuing its efforts to strengthen digital connectivity for the education sector, equips South City Homes Academy (SCHA) in Laguna with technology solutions to support its eLearning efforts.

As part of its ongoing efforts the academe industry through technology solutions, PLDT Enterprise’s partnership with SCHA gives its students and teachers the robust connectivity they need through BEYOND FIBER to aid their online learning initiatives.

Mitch Locsin, PLDT FVP & Enterprise Revenue Group Head says that “PLDT Enterprise wishes to ensure the best possible education for students while at the safety of everyone’s homes, and our partnership with SCHA is a commitment that we are ready to provide any technology requirements of the academe industry. Providing learning tools with strong and reliable connectivity during the global health crisis enables students and teachers an uninterrupted education.”

SCHA has over 1100 students and 50 teachers to date. For the shift to eLearning brought about by the pandemic, the school has been using Quipper LMS and Google classroom, Lark for sync and async discussions. The need for a reliable connectivity for their online classes compelled SCHA to switch to PLDT Enterprise’s BEYOND FIBER with speed of up to 50Mbps and Enterprise Broadband plan of 500Mbps.

SCHA President Mrs. Romana Espinosa says that “we look forward to the success of the distance learning program pursuant to our school’s principle of quality education for our most valued learners. Our partnership with PLDT Enterprise assures us that our core values of providing leading edge academic experience despite the challenges will be fulfilled, as we continue to be fundamentally committed to mold our students become people of strong character.”

BEYOND FIBER is an all-in-one digital solution that enables businesses of any size with curated digital tools and wi-fi fit for enterprise-use—all anchored on business-grade fiber. It is hinged on PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, the country’s most extensive fiber network, which now spans to 422,000kms nationwide.

PLDT Enterprise aims to redefine the future of learning through its continuous engagement with universities, colleges, and other learning institutions such as South City Homes Academy so no learner is left behind.

For more information, go to pldtenterprise.com. 


COVER PHOTO: (L-R) Jonalyn Bayani, PLDT Enterprise Relationship Manager; Romana Espinosa, Chairman of the Board for South City Homes Academy; Rico Manalo, School President of South City Homes Academy; Raphael Penalba, PLDT Enterprise Relationship Manager