SINGAPORE – Genting Cruise Lines has made the cruise industry’s first move to raise health and safety standards in cruise, launching sweeping new protocols last week across its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises fleets.
We assure you of our unwavering commitment and partnership and…we hope that with the initiatives, consumers will have the confidence and peace of mind should they contemplate to take a cruise vacation once we resume operations in the near future,– Michael Goh, president of Dream Cruises and head of international sales
Infrared temperature screening, pre-boarding health declarations, a doctor’s certificate for guests over 70, as well as more frequent sanitisation of cabin and public areas are to become part of the measures on board all of Genting’s cruise ships.
The announcement comes as the company seeks to reassure trade partners of its preparedness the moment sailings resume.
In line with this, the cruise line has also rolled out a training guide for the travel trade on the “high levels of sanitation standards and enhanced preventive measures” it is adopting across all its cruise ships.
Genting Cruise Lines seeks to assure partners the company is “confronting the challenge from a position of strength… this time is no different as we set out to set the new standards for the fleet and cruise industry”, said Michael Goh, president of Dream Cruises and head of international sales.
“We assure you of our unwavering commitment and partnership and…we hope that with the initiatives, consumers will have the confidence and peace of mind should they contemplate to take a cruise vacation once we resume operations in the near future,” he added.
Genting’s efforts have been met with the support of Asia Cruise Terminal Association (ACTA).
ACTA has endorsed the initiative and pledged to support these enhanced measures throughout its member ports located across the region in China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Genting Cruise Lines will further collaborate with the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association (CCYIA) on publishing a white paper for the cruise industry’s prevention and response plan against Covid-19. It aims to provide a comprehensive and unified standard for the cruise industry to ensure the safety and well-being of all cruising guests and crew members.
Genting Cruise Lines’ Michael Goh assured partners it is “confronting the challenge from a position of strength… this time is no different as we set out to set the new standards for the fleet and cruise industry”. Credit: Genting Cruise Lines
Here are more details of the enhanced health and safety precautions:
Embarkation
Stringent health screening processes start even before embarkation. Passengers check-in online and receive staggered designated arrival times to avoid congestion.
Pre-boarding health declarations for all guests will become the new norm, while for those 70 and over, a doctor’s certificate of fitness for travel will be required.
Embarkation precautions include infrared fever screening at the gangway, temperature screening and high-frequency sanitisation.
Accommodations
Guest cabins will undergo high-frequency hospital grade disinfection, timely housekeeping turnover, including high temperature cleaning for all linens and speedy food removal to prevent bacteria.
100% external fresh air will be filtered into cabins and public areas, with filters and cooling coils checked, cleaned and replaced for optimum air quality.
Public areas
Cleansing, fogging and wiping with hospital grade disinfectant will take place in all public areas up to every two hours, with high traffic touch points like handrails, table tops, door handles and lift buttons sterilised up to every hour during peak hours.
Heavy-duty floor cleaning agents will be used on floors, sanitizer dispensers will be available throughout the ship and passengers will be encouraged to wash their hands before entering F&B venues.
Restaurants will focus on spacing between tables, prohibit dishes serving wild animals and related products, and self-service buffets will be suspended. Passengers will be offered disposable cutlery upon request.
Theatres, entertainment venues and duty-free shops, the spa and gym facilities, Kids’ Club facilities and toys and games and recreational equipment will also be subject to rigorous cleansing and disinfection, as will tour coaches, which will run at half capacity.
Crew safety
The health of the crew will be a clear priority on board. Crew will undergo twice daily temperature checks, will be required to wear face masks and disposable gloves, use anti-bacterial hand soap and receive training workshops on health and safety preventive measures.
This week Genting Cruise Lines has extended its ‘Cruise As You Wish’ assurance booking policy for Dream Cruises and Star Cruises’ sailings until 30 October 2020 “in view of the evolving COVID-19 situation globally”.
All new and existing Dream Cruises and Star Cruises bookings made during this period will have the flexibility to cancel up to 48 hours prior to sailing and receive 100% future cruise credit to be redeemed for any Dream Cruises or Star Cruises sailing embarking on or before 31 March 2021.