The cruise sector around the world has made efforts to jumpstart the sector with a series of new protocols.
In the US, it was hoped that the first ships would start sailing on 1 November, while in the UK Chamber of Shipping released an extensive set of new protocols for cruise ship operators.
The UK Chamber of Shipping has developed a new Framework for cruise ship operators to implement new measures with enhanced public health protection, produced in collaboration with the Cruise Lines International Association.
It will help inform the restart of the cruise industry when the time is right and public health conditions allow. There is currently no restart date for the industry but the UK Chamber of Shipping, CLIA and operators will continue to work with the government on future plans.
The CLIA said that the cruise sector in the UK was worth £10bn to the UK economy and supported more than 88,000 jobs and the new documents have been shared with stakeholders across the industry and was agreed by the major operators.
UK Chamber of Shipping CEO Bob Sanguinetti said: “The cruise sector is a vital part of the UK economy. This new UK Chamber of Shipping Framework gives the government, passengers, crew and operators the confidence that the very latest science and medical advice has been included in the industry's planning process. A huge amount of time and effort has gone into this work and the new documents, which are fully supported by the sector, is a testament to the commitment of all concerned to protect the health and well being of cruisers, seafarers and the public. We are not talking about restarting the sector tomorrow, but it is a vital first step in the process to get cruises sailing again when conditions allow and government guidance changes.”
The framework includes guidance on shore excursions, which are a fundamental part of cruising for certain passengers, and have been modified to ensure that the safety of passengers and seafarers can be upheld. Operators will not let passengers disembark in countries which are not on the UK’s travel corridor list, and shore excursions offered by operators will provide health measures comparable to those onboard the ship. This includes social distancing, mandatory use of face coverings and hand hygiene facilities during excursions.
TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises restarted itineraries offering short, European cruises from the end of July. TUI had a false alarm last month caused by a report of 12 positive test results on crew. Further testing revealed the ship to be free of the virus and Wybcke Meier, CEO TUI Cruises, said: “The safety of the guests, the crew, but also the Greek population is the top priority for TUI Cruises.
“I would like to thank all the responsible authorities for their good and professional cooperation in connection with the unclear test results on board Mein Schiff 6 and I am pleased that the voyage can be continued for all guests tomorrow with shore excursions in Piraeus.”
In the US, the no-sail order was due to end on 1 November, having prevented ships which can carry more than 250 passengers. The sector was optimistic that it would be able to restart after 1 November.
"CLIA ocean cruise line members worldwide have agreed to conduct 100% testing of passengers and crew on all ships with a capacity to carry 250 or more persons – with a negative test required for any embarkation," said Bari Golin-Blaugrund, VP strategic communications for Cruise Lines International Association.
"We see testing as an important initial step to a multi-layered approach that we believe validates the industry’s commitment to making health, safety, and the well-being of the passengers, the crew, and the communities we visit our top priority.”
Insight: The cruise sector became the unfortunate poster boy for the virus, with images of cruise ships unable to dock, filled with virus-ridden passengers heralding the spread of the virus around the world.
It was understandably with some trepidation that governments have looked at the reopening of a sector which sees travellers gathering in close quarters before travelling around making a series of short trips on what could be viewed as a super-spreader tour.
For customers the trepidation is also extensive but the pent-up demand is there, as those dipping an early toe into the water have found. One person’s small space is another’s controllable environment and with the sector needing to prove cleanliness, the motivation is there to do a good job.