One cruise line’s new policies and procedures might offer a glimpse into what passengers can expect when other companies begin sailing in the months ahead.
Genting Cruises, the owner of Asia-based Dream Cruises and Star Cruises, revealed exactly what steps they’d be taking to keep passengers safe in the future.
While their programs are not necessarily what we will see lines such as Carnival, Norwegian or Royal Caribbean implement, they do seem in line with many of the suggestions which have been made both to and by Cruise Lines International Association.
The Asia Cruise Terminal Association endorsed the procedures created by Genting, and the cruise company plans to work with the China Cruise & Yacht Industry Association to author a “white paper” based on the policies to provide a comprehensive and unified response plan for the cruise industry.
READ MORE: 7 Ways Cruising Will Change In The Future
Here are the steps Genting expects to take once cruising resumes:
I. Embarkation and Disembarkation
a. Mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for all guests
b. Infrared fever screening system at the ship’s gangway
c. Higher frequency cleanings with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection at the ship gangway and passenger walkways
d. Stringent checks for all embarking individuals, including crew travel documents; guests aged 70 years and above to provide a doctor’s certificate of fitness for travel
e. Online check-in for guests who’ll then receive designated arrival times to minimize crowd congestion at the terminal
f. Additional waiting areas for cruise boarding and disembarkation (with staggered times)
g. Compliance with all local port and health authorities’ regulations
II. Guest accommodations
a. Higher frequency cleanings with increased levels of sanitization and disinfection in guest cabins with hospital-grade disinfectants, including:
- Twice daily wipe-down of guest cabins and guest cabin corridors
- Fogging of vacant guest cabins and guest cabin corridors
b. Clean and disinfect guest bathrooms with heavy-duty alkaline bathroom cleaner and disinfectant.
c. Timely removal of food items from cabins to prevent spoilage and cultivation of microorganisms and bacteria.
d. Timely housekeeping cabin turnover; bed sheets and linens professionally cleaned and disinfected at high temperatures
e. Injection of diluted cleaning solution into drains to avoid clogged pipes and to prevent bacterial growth
f. In case of sickness, thorough cleaning and disinfection with hospital grade disinfectant and fogging the cabin after
III. Common Public Areas
a. All public areas onboard will undergo a two-tier sanitization process with a thorough cleansing, fogging, and wiping using a hospital-grade disinfectant. On-board Ship Venues and Cleaning Frequency:
- Elevators: Every 2 hours
- Public areas and facilities: 2–10 times daily
- Spa and amenities: Min 2 times daily
- Other Public Areas: To adjust disinfection frequency accordingly
b. Common public areas will be sanitized from once daily to 2-4 times daily and frequent touchpoints such as handrails, lift buttons,table-tops, door handles etc. will be sterilized every hour or less during peak hours (Embarkation & Disembarkation time, returning from shore excursions, meal periods)
c. Frequent usage of heavy-duty neutral PH floor-cleaning agent to disinfect all floor areas of the ship
d. Sanitizer dispensers available at various public areas and crew members stationed at key onboard venues to provide hand sanitation
IV. Food Hygiene Practices & Standards
a. Restaurant/bar areas, including galleys, will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times daily, during and after service
b. Guests are encouraged to wash hands before entry and use sanitizer dispensers available at food and beverage outlet entrances/exits
c. Guests eating will ensure ample spacing; disposable cutlery will be provided, upon request
d. Self-service at buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food and beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves
e. Culinary use of wild animals and related products are strictly prohibited
f. Stringent procurement guidelines will be enforced and product sourcing from highly affected regions will be strictly prohibited
V. Entertainment and Recreational Activities
a. Theaters will be sanitized before and after each show; 3D glasses disinfected before and after guest usage (if applicable)
b. Cleaning and disinfection of all toys, games and Kids’ Club facilities twice daily and/or after every use
c. All duty-free shops and entertainment venues will be disinfected twice daily before and after service
d. All recreational equipment will be disinfected every 2 hours before guest usage
e. Guest capacity will be limited to half the venue capacity to provide ample space between guests
f. Sanitizer dispensers will be readily available at various venues, including entertainment venue entrances/exits
g. Tour coaches will be limited to half capacity & sanitized frequently; training for tour operators based on guidance from the WHO
h. Spa & Gym facilities will be sanitized before and after usage by guests.
VI. Fresh Air Ventilation Systems
a. 100% external fresh air is filtered and supplied to passenger cabins and onboard public areas
b. Air filters and cooling coils thoroughly checked, cleaned and replaced to ensure healthy air quality
VII. Medical Center
a. Isolation wards available in the Medical Center
b. Contaminated items and medical waste will be properly sealed and disposed according to health and safety guidelines
c. Used face masks and protective equipment disposed at designated central collection points
d. Medical equipment and waste bins cleaned, disinfected and washed twice daily with hospital grade disinfectant
VIII. Crew Members Practices & Standards
a. Twice daily temperature checks
b. All Front line crew are required to wear face masks
c. Housekeeping and Food and Beverage crews required to wear disposable gloves
d. Designated crew may also wear protective garments and eye protection if required
e. All crew to use anti-bacterial hand soap for at least 20 seconds to sanitize hands
f. Medical Center Isolation Area staff related to suspected cases are required to:
- wear adequate personal protection (face mask, eye protection, disposable gloves and disposal outer garment)
- follow proper hand-washing practices before and after work duty
- update personal health information daily
g. Provide Training Workshops and pertinent information on health and safety preventive measures
h. Reduction of crew movement
What This Could Mean Moving Forward
There’s no telling what rules will or won’t be implemented on other lines moving forward. Those listed above, however, are largely in line with what industry experts are expecting to see implemented moving forward.
Meanwhile, the industry-wide shut down is currently expected to end in mid-May.
