How will cruises look in the new normal?
The year 2020 is among the worst years for everyone employed or in business. The year has been worse for the hospitality industry affecting road transport, airways, and cruise travel. The coronavirus pandemic has led cruise companies to plan afresh on how to board, travel, and embark on the cruises, and it has taken some time to achieve some of the strategies. While most cruises had stopped operations to contain the virus and adhere to health directives, some are returning to business but with new measures. How are things different? The passengers and crew are now following new standards and protocols when boarding the vessels, dining, and recreation to ensure all health guidelines are followed to the latter. Here are some ways things have changed now, and experts are optimistic they will remain even after the pandemic.
1. The return of cruises Not all cruises are back, but there are plans to enable all to return in some months to come. When things get back, processes won't be as usual. Most cruise companies have accepted that the traveling won't be the same again and must change on many things. They are currently investing in health and safety measures as they wait for a notice from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention lifting the barn order. Procedures to be put include booking, boarding, travel, berth, and much more. It is good to agree that the onboard experience will be the most affected, and passengers need to prepare for inconveniences such as indoor shows and buffets. Some of the things likely to get introduced include improved cleaning services, online restaurant bookings, and other measures to impose social distancing.
2. Health screening and medical requirements With the coronavirus pandemic on the loose, most cruise lines practice strict health screening and keeping passengers' health requirements. Things in the discussion include injuries, sickness, delays, theft, and much more. Other guidelines on check include if the passenger falls ill while onboard, among other inconveniences. This travel insurance comparison service says: ''Most cruise lines advise their passengers to take out travel insurance covering medical expenses as if you board any foreign cruise boat docked in Australia. Even if it's traveling domestically, you may have to pay for medical expenses out-of-pocket''. All this is to ensure everyone stays safe and insured while on the trip. The cruise line association is on the front line in setting these instructions for embarking and staying on board, but they might vary from one company to another.
While on board There are so many things that will change once one gets on board. Stringent health measures will continue once everyone has boarded. All guest rooms will get a thorough cleaning and get sanitized regularly to kill any germs and prevent them from spreading. Other changes to the cabin might include antimicrobial carpets, touch-free equipment, toilets with glass divers, and much more. There are also reports that passengers will have to leave their clothes behind before embarking for cleaning and sanitization. All passengers will have to wash their hands regularly and sanitize them once they access a public area, including walkaways. There will also be restrictive measures for public places, especially when the ship docks at a station. There won't be free movements as it's the norm.
The association is also considering having the following onboard: informational pamphlets, health, and safety drills, frequent changes of bed sheets, better quarantine and emergency plans, and facemask rules.
Most companies are now using trained personnel to carry out these procedures. But in the future, robots can do such with better cleaning products and sophisticated sanitization products.
3. Crews joining the ship Passengers and crews are required to take the COVID-19 swab test before allowed on board. The teams must complete the medical examination and might be required to take a full week of isolation to check on their situation. The recruiting agency's task is to inform the crews what's needed, procedures, and protocols to follow while on board. Secondly, all teams must use Travel Personal Protection Equipment as detailed by their agencies.
4. Onboard services There is proof that germs spread fast in buffets, and some companies are doing away with them in onboard services. This situation will significantly affect the hospitality industry, and it might require more expensive measures to avoid contamination of food and other edibles. First, restaurants will limit guests' number at dining halls, affecting many travelers' feeding time. Other than this, everyone will be required to observe strict social distancing, which, to smaller ships, will be a challenge. Predictions are that buffets and self-service will be abolished, and table service will replace such services. Serving staff will have to wear gloves, face masks, and every booking must be online. Most travelers will also get inconveniences of visiting restaurants other than the allocated ones.
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5. Changing entertainment If you love food, drinks, and parties on cruise ships, things might change to worse since such will be limited. There will be a new limitation to enable social distancing, affecting cinemas, clubs, cinemas, and other indoor entertainment joints. Cruise companies will rearrange most of these places to ensure there is space between users. These areas will also have sanitizing stations, health forms, and individuals will have to wear masks at all times. Companies will incorporate more measures from time to time to ensure viruses and germs won't spread among the revelers.
6. Medication With cruise operators putting everything right to avoid mistakes that will lead to a cruising ban, many more measures are being discussed to ensure no more outbreaks. There will be an increase in medical centers and more medical staff to check on any arising situation. There will be hospitals at every stop to attend to those affected. Companies are also working hard to expand facilities, and more rooms are being set for additional doctors and nurses. The crews' room will be modified to accommodate at least two teams instead of four at any given time, and there might be vacant cabins to isolate anyone suspected to suffer from covid-19.
Many changes are undergoing in the travel industry. The most affected are the cruise companies, which have to do as much to ensure the crews' and passengers' health and safety are maintained from booking, embarking, and onboard. We hope these measures will sustain the industry to avoid it getting a ban again.
Consumers who are planning to travel on a cruise may have experienced a setback during this time of the pandemic. With new developments emerging in our world today towards the normal, people can look forward to this fun activity again. Until then, it’s best to practice safety to prevent this pandemic from extending further.
Photo by Stephanie Klepacki on Unsplash
