Cebu Pacific says Saipan route ‘being looked at’

MANILA, Philippines—Adding a Manila-Saipan route to the Cebu Pacific portfolio could be a possibility, although nothing concrete has been planned to expand the low-cost carrier’s service to the CNMI.

It would boil down to the success of the Manila-Guam route, according to Charo Lagamon last Saturday during the final day of the Resorts World Manila’s Stay and Cruise familiarization tour. Lagamon is the carrier’s Corporate Communications Corporate Affairs director.

“It’s something that’s on the drawing board. It’s one of the places we are looking at but nothing definite yet. When we make expansion plans there are a lot of things to consider but definitely it’s among the places that are being explored,” she said at Maxim Hotel’s high-end Impressions Restaurant.

CNMI and Guam media who took part in the six-day, five-night cruise of the SuperStar Virgo flew from U.S. territory to the Philippine capital via Cebu Pacific.

Lagamon said Cebu Pacific is the ideal carrier for those looking to take a vacation in the Philippines for leisure, sightseeing, or shopping.

“It’s great because, for a fraction of the cost, you could fly to the Philippines, enjoy a luxury vacation here, you can also do your wellness checkup in one of our world-class medical facilities, and maybe at the same time explore one of the islands in the Philippines. You get more value for your vacation.”

She added that Cebu Pacific is the only Philippine LCC that has a direct route to Guam. The carrier’s base fare also allows the flyer to choose the package he or she wants.

“If you plan to shop you can prepay for extra luggage and those who don’t want to shop don’t have to pay for luggage,” she said.

When asked if Cebu Pacific is looking to enter into an agreement with RWM to package the flight to Manila from Guam with the Stay and Cruise program, Lagamon had RWM Corporate Communications director Owen Cammayo respond.

“If you’re talking about future partnerships with other carriers like Cebu Pacific and then I say yes that can be possible anytime soon. Obviously more people will be attracted to go on these cruises,” Cammayo said.

While there are no specific packaged plans at this point, there’s a very big possibility for partnership since it makes sense from a business perspective.

The short distance and the Marianas having a relatively large Filipino population were the reasons why RWM launched the Stay and Cruise promotions in the region.

“The [Marianas] lies a mere 3 1/2 hours from the Philippines so it really makes sense to tap that market because of the proximity and the affinity with the Filipinos living in the Marianas,” he said

SuperStar Virgo will again be home-ported in Manila this December, with a cruise to Palawan and Japan.

Boat captain Jan Blomquist congratulated his crew for a successful maiden voyage of the SuperStar Virgo last Thursday.

He acknowledged some minor glitches on the first voyage but assured that everything will be smooth sailing from now on.

Blomquist also said the cost of fuel remains the biggest concern of the cruise line industry, but added that immigration has also resulted in delays in the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers.

When asked for the difference between taking a jet airline to a destination as opposed to aboard a cruise liner, Blomquist said: “If a ship runs out of fuel you just float in the water. If a plane runs out of fuel, you crash.”

Resorts World Manila’s Stay and Cruise promotion starts at just $655 per person. It is inclusive of a stay at two RWM hotels—Winford Hotel and Casino and Belmont—and a cruise aboard SuperStar Virgo as the luxury liner makes Manila its new homeport from March 19 to May 23.

Remaining sailing dates are March 29, April 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, and 28, and May 3, 8, 13, 18, and 23.

Guam and Saipan residents can directly avail of the Stay and Cruise package using credit card payments through the SSV RWM BUNDLE option at www.rwmanila.com/stayandcruise. The package is inclusive of two-night accommodations at Resorts World Manila hotels.

Those interested can also call John Hagemann at +63917878583/john.hagemann@rwmanila.com or Janine Chua at +639178788576/ janine.chua@rwmanila for more details. For other inquiries and reservations, contact Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (02) 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com.