Reassuring Safe to Cruise

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Updated 10/5/2021

Aren't cruise ships just giant petri dishes? What's being done to reassure the public it's safe to cruise again?

There has been misinformation in the media which would lead to an assumption that cruise ships are giant petri dishes.  After you watch this video you will have a better understanding of the health and safety measures that have always been in place and which have since been enhanced.

State of the Industry - CLIA Report

"In a year marked by hurricanes, wildfires, and the worst public health crisis the world has experienced in over 100 years, we have seen our industry and our communities challenged in ways we could have never imagined. As we turn the page on 2020, the 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Reports highlights the progress that we have made over the last 12 months and underscores the leadership of the cruise industry and its constant drive to innovate and lead the way in responsible tourism." 

 ~Kelly Craighead, President and CEO, CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) worked to establish an industry-wide COVID-19 policy for its ocean-going cruise line members.  Read the entire 2021 State of the Cruise Industry report.

Top Choices for Reassuring Safe to Cruise

•  sanitation and cleaning protocols should be increased​ 
•  air filtration should be upgraded​ 
•  shipboard medical resources will be expanded​ 
•  shore excursions should follow stringent health protocols​ 
•  passenger capacity should be limited to ensure social distancing​ 
•  COVID-19 testing should take place right before embarking

Expected protocols are also associated with improving processes that are aligned with processes/expertise already existing within the cruise industry pre-COVID.​  Furthermore, the protocols that cruisers are expecting, are fully aligned with what cruise lines are implementing ​

 Highlights of the Core Elements 

 Variances for Small / Expedition Ships 

• Booking procedures and risk disclosures 
• Staggered guest arrivals and departures 
• Health screening including temperature checks for anyone boarding 
• Onboard testing capability 
• Augmentation of medical facilities and staff 
• Capacity management/social distancing 
• Dining restrictions 
• Use of contactless technology 
• Contact tracing

See Cruise Research Highlights for the whole report.
 

 

Click the banner above for the latest cruise promotions

 

Cruise lines are offering special promotions and pricing on popular cruises to encourage consumers to plan their next cruise vacation now. We'll be featuring promotions on our website and social media.

Choose Cruise Month (click for mini-series)

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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Cruise Industry Covid-19 Response

Courtesy of CLIA (cruising.org)

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)  is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. On behalf of its members, affiliates, and partners, the organization supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment, promoting positive travel experiences for the more than 30 million passengers who have cruised annually.

They have assembled the latest industry facts and resources and summarizes the current state as follows:   (click here for the latest news and resources)

 As the world continues to address challenges regarding COVID-19, the top priority for the entire cruise community—including cruise lines, travel agents, ports, destinations, suppliers and beyond—continues to be the health and safety of passengers, crew and the communities in the places we visit. 

CLIA and its member lines have invested in research, worked with global experts, and closely cooperated with national and regional health, transport and safety authorities in specific regions to develop world leading health and safety protocols. In fact, to date, we have put in place more than 75 science-led measures. 

The industry’s successful resumption in Europe, parts of Asia, the UK, and parts of North America demonstrate a promising example that a responsible return to cruising is possible with the right measures in place.   

Cruise Ships Singled Out

In all the hospitality and travel sectors, people gather in close contact to socialize and enjoy shared experiences.  Last year this time there was a perception that the incidents of  COVID-19 were higher on cruise ships than other sectors and industries.

Cruise Ships Differ From Other Sectors & Industries

CLIA member lines are required to have credentialed doctors and nurses onboard who are required to provide health declarations detailing illnesses of individuals onboard to port authorities around the globe prior to a ship’s entry. Neither airlines, hotels, nor any other travel and tourism sector is required to report the same information.

This lopsided reporting isn't new with COVID-19.  The media has always singed out incidents of Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, while similar events occurring elsewhere in the travel and hospitality sectors go unreported.  The following is not new:

How do CLIA member cruise lines promote public health? 

• CLIA ocean-going cruise ships are the only form of travel or passenger transportation that must be medically equipped to care for passengers or crew in the event of illness 
• medical facilities must meet the standards set forth by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) 
• cruise ships must have an examination room, an intensive care room and equipment for processing labs, monitoring vital signs and administering medications 
• doctors and medical personnel MUST be available onboard 24/7 

We will take a closer look at some of the new technology and protocols that are currently in place to provide a safe and healthy environment for your vacation.   You will learn that since the cruise line controls their environment, a cruise vacation is one of the safest things you can do today.

 

Click the banner above for the latest cruise promotions

 

Cruise lines are offering special promotions and pricing on popular cruises to encourage consumers to plan their next cruise vacation now. We'll be featuring promotions on our website and social media.

Choose Cruise Month (click for mini-series)

Connect With Us On

    
    

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4 PM Eastern for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Cruise Industry and COVID-19

Click images to enlarge

Cruising is neither the source nor the cause of COVID-19. In fact, with over 20 million cases confirmed worldwide, cases of COVID-19 on cruise ships represent a fraction of a fraction of a percent of confirmed cases around the world.
                                                      ~Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

Cruise Ships Singled Out

In all the hospitality and travel sectors pictured above, people gather in close contact to socialize and enjoy shared experiences.  However, there was a perception that the incidents of  COVID-19 were higher on cruise ships than other sectors and industries.

Cruise Ships Differ From Other Sectors & Industries

CLIA member lines are required to have credentialed doctors and nurses onboard who are required to provide health declarations detailing illnesses of individuals onboard to port authorities around the globe prior to a ship’s entry. Neither airlines, hotels, nor any other travel and tourism sector is required to report the same information.

This lopsided reporting isn't new with COVID-19.  The media has always singed out incidents of Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships, while similar events occuring elsewhere in the travel and hospitality sectors go unreported.  The following is not new:

How do CLIA member cruise lines promote public health? 

• CLIA ocean-going cruise ships are the only form of travel or passenger transportation that must be medically equipped to care for passengers or crew in the event of illness 
•  medical facilities must meet the standards set forth by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) 
•  cruise ships must have an examination room, an intensive care room and equipment for processing labs, monitoring vital signs and administering medications 
•  doctors and medical personnel MUST be available onboard 24/7 

 

 

Click the banner above for the latest cruise promotions

 

Cruise lines are offering special promotions and pricing on popular cruises to encourage consumers to plan their next cruise vacation now. We'll be featuring promotions on our website and social media.

Choose Cruise Month (click for mini-series)

Follow Us On

        

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat 

Oasis of the Seas - Medical Facility

Oasis of the Seas - The Doctor is In

This year two things were on people's minds most of the time - the economy and H1N1 flu. In reality, there's not much anyone can do to change either of these things, but one can be prepared to react to different situations that may arise.

We've already seen how Oasis of the Seas is virtually a floating city. It has its own neighborhoods as well as all the facilities that you'd find in your own town or village. Perhaps one of the most important facilities in any neighborhood is the medical center. Oasis of the Seas has one of the most advanced medical facilities onboard any ship on the seven seas.

Let's take a visit to the doctor's office in this video. You'll see all the modern equipment and the staff ready to respond to any medical emergency. The medical facility can provide cardiac care, handle breaks and sprains, care for all sorts of illnesses including H1N1 flu. In some cases, it is best to transfer the patient to a local hospital, so rescue is only a radio call and hellicopter ride away. Don't forget to purchase travel insurance to pay for that hellicopter ride should it become necessary.

Final Preparations Video: A Visit to the Doctor's (click here)

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In the following, you'll go behind the scenes as the Oasis of the Seas is built

Watch Additional Oasis of the Seas Videos Here!

See More Oasis of the Seas PHOTOS on my FACEBOOK PAGE - BECOME a FAN

Stay Tuned for Continuing Coverage of the Oasis of the Seas