Cruising begins – Just

The cruising industry, and the airlines, are watching tentatively as deep-sea cruising gets under way in Italy.

First away was MSC, now joined by Carnival Lines Costa and sister German company AIDA.  All three are operating seven-day itineraries open to Italian passport holders.

With multinational crews and ship guest capacity in the 2,000-passenger plus range, rather than the service and entertainment it is the Covid-19 arrangements that are being scrutinised.  The successful implementation will have a profound effect on future bookings.  Any failure could prove disastrous.

“For all our brands, there is no higher responsibility and no higher priority than compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, our crew and the communities we visit," said Roger Frizzell, Chief Communications Officer for Carnival Corporation. "We are excited to have AIDA joining Costa Cruises in resuming sailing operations with a gradual expansion of service over time. As we offer travellers a phased return to cruise vacations, we will continue sharing important learnings and best practices among our world-leading cruise line brands and across the industry to help ensure the resumption of cruise operations is done with the best interests of public health at the forefront."

Based on health and mitigation guidelines in Germany and Italy, a health and safety programme will be implemented on all of the cruises, with measures encompassing the entirety of the holiday experience, from booking to disembarkation.

The measures include guests and crew being tested for Covid-19 with negative results required prior to boarding. Other protocols include regular temperature and health checks for guests and crew, physical distancing guidelines, facial coverings, capacity controls and increased sanitization measures, as well as guided shore excursions managed by Carnival to maintain health protocols.

www.msccruises.com

www.costacruises.com

www.aida.de

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