"The safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew, and the communities we visit, is our top priority. In response to COVID-19, Royal Caribbean is evaluating every last detail of our operations to develop unprecedented standards that will keep you safe and healthy. That’s why we have assembled the Healthy Sail Panel, a group of the best minds and leaders in public health, biosecurity, epidemiology, hospitality and maritime operations. Their insights and recommendations are helping to drive our way forwards as we work to strengthen our current procedures and create new ones across the entire cruise experience. The panel will work alongside our new Public Health & Chief Medical Officer, Dr Calvin Johnson, who will lead the company’s public health initiatives and oversee our response to health crises. Our collective efforts will be shared with the cruise industry and other industries that may benefit from our findings – because we’re all in this together."
Healthy Return to Sailing
Royal Caribbean Group continues to collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel, epidemiologists, health authorities and various governments around the globe to ensure a healthy and safe return to cruising for guests, crew and the communities visited. The Company also continues to prepare and develop its plan to meet the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for US sailings. Meanwhile most sailings remain suspended.
In December, Quantum of the Seas started operating out of Singapore. The CDC requested Royal Caribbean provide information about two of their COVID-19 safety technologies being used on Quantum. We wrote about the first one, Muster 2.0 in a previous post. With that technology, passengers no longer gather in large groups to complete the mandatory safety drill before sailing.
The second technology, the Tracelet™ is a patented technology which allows for contact tracing.
What is a Tracelet™?
Who needs to wear it?
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| Tracelet™ Courtesy Royal Caribbean Singapore |
What if I cannot wear it on my wrist?
The Tracelet™ is a comfortable, water-resistant, hypoallergenic wearable worn by all guests and crew during the cruise. The Tracelet™ helps Royal with contact tracing in the unlikely event of an onboard health concern. Therefore, everyone onboard regardless of age, needs to wear it.
Should you be unable to wear it on your wrist, they will find another way for you to wear it. Any guest who chooses not to wear the Tracelet™ will be unable to sail.
As cool as the Tracelet™ is, you might want to take it with you, but unfortunately you'll have to leave it onboard when the cruise ends for the next guests to use.
What Happens if Someone Tests Positive Onboard?
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| Courtesy Royal Caribbean - Click to Enlarge |
"There’s nothing more important than your health and safety. Our high-quality medical care includes doctors and nurses onboard each sailing and state-of-the-art equipment onboard. And in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19, we’re fully prepared with immediate medical evaluations, rapid COVID-19 testing and dedicated zones for COVID-19 care, more critical care beds on each ship, and robust treatment plans." Read More (click here).
Identification / Containment / Providing Care & Assistance
These are the pillars behind Royal Caribbean's protocols to handle a medical emergency of this nature. Thanks to the Tracelet™ and the technology behind the scenes, Royal Caribbean can quickly determine who you've been in contact with and take steps to contain further infection. By definition that means anyone that was within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more which can be determined by the technology.
Editor Note: Think about this: If you tested positive at home - would you know who you were in contact with and for how long?
We've already mentioned that they have upgraded their medical facilities and can isolate patients as necessary. The next thing they do may be unexpected.
Medical Evacuation
Transportation will be provided by private air ambulance paid for by Royal Caribbean. Even if you are not exhibiting symptoms, this arrangement is used to ensure you have proper care should you need it in transit. You will be delivered to your doorstep by the transport team assuring that you are completely cared for.
Editor Note: Can you think of another hospitality provider that would provide this level of care? While this is for all brands of cruise lines that are part of Royal Caribbean Group, other lines have similar care that they can provide. Check with your travel professional during your cruise planning.
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