Keeping Cruise Ships Clean and Sanitary

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(Updated 10/8/21)

Ship Sanitation is Nothing New

While many business and industries have added sanitation methods to their daily routines after the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, cruise ships just continued with business as usual, with extra frequency.  Signs have always been posted educating the passengers to wash hands frequently and use the sanitizing dispensers available in the public areas of the ship.

Keeping cruise ships clean and sanitary has always been a top priority for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) members. While this longstanding cruise line practice may sound minor, COVID-19 has reaffirmed the critical importance of hand hygiene to protecting public health. 

Additionally, the industry has a longstanding collaboration with the CDC and the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) to make sure ships meet strict sanitation guidelines. As part of the program, cruise ship crews are trained in sanitation and health practices and ships undergo unannounced inspections twice a year, with scores made available to the public. No other travel and tourism or entertainment industry has this type of federal program or oversight.

CLIA cruise lines go to great lengths to support the health and safety of all onboard. From cleaning practices to passenger screening and robust oversight over onboard health and safety practices, the cruise industry is one of the most vigilant industries as it relates to safety, sanitation and public health protocols. Read latest CLIA Health & Safety Report.

 

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Healthy Cruising and the Royal Promise

"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™? 

Tracelet™         Courtesy Royal Caribbean Singapore

Who needs to wear it? 

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?

Courtesy Royal Caribbean - Click to Enlarge

That's an excellent question that is on the minds of most perspective passengers.  First of all, since everyone eligible (currently 12 and over)  is starting out the cruise fully vaccinated and/or with a negative test, odds are in your favor that this won't happen.  But if it does, Royal Caribbean Group (all brands) has your back.  The following information should ease your mind.

Upgraded Medical Facilities & Expert Care 

"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

When a passenger is identified with COVID-19, the Royal Caribbean Care Team onboard takes over.  The team will get them the necessary treatment onboard and arrange for private transportation back home.

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.

 

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.

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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

Coming Out of Hibernation

Bear Emerging from Hibernation With Cubs                                 Reuters/Denis Balibouse

(Updated 10/6/2021)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a bear?

Why am I asking that question in a cruise blog?  It struck me, when I started writing this post, that our lives are about to parallel that of a bear coming out of hibernation from a long winter's nap.  We've been cut off from others, we are cautiously coming out from our safe hiding place, and are longing for a new beginning as we emerge.

What have you missed the most during your COVID-19 hibernation?  For many, it's been the lack of interaction with others, or visiting your usual hangouts (churches, schools, restaurants, bars, stores, etc.).  For the avid cruiser, they missed the sea, and everything associated with cruising.

As the bear emerges, they are cautious, not knowing what dangers may be lurking outside safe haven.  Slowly, they adventure further and eventually return to some normal activities.

There are differences of course between bears hibernating and our forced isolation.  Bears do this every year, they expect it, and build up supplies to last them thru the winter.   We on the other hand, did not expect it, were caught short of essential supplies, and hopefully, this isn't a repeatable situation.

What are cruisers expecting as they emerge from hibernation?   Here's what a recent CLIA survey discovered:

What is Your Desired Cruise Experience 

• Cruisers want to experience the full cruise experience but are willing to compromise once they are ready to cruise 
• Most likely cruises to be selected is the “traditional” 7 to 10-day cruise with multiple destinations 
• Second most popular is a short cruise with limited destinations, a perfect cruise type to resume operations 
• As of June 2020, one out of 3 cruisers likely to cruise again, was willing to cruise within six months, thus the end of year, another 46% within a year

What is the Cruiser's Mindset 

• Cruisers are not waiting for a vaccine before committing to cruising 
• It will be safe to cruise once a vaccine becomes available scores at the lowest level of all protocols expected 
• Cruisers are disciplined and are willing to follow the protocols to ensure a safe cruising experience for them, other passengers and crew members 
• 93% are willing to wear a mask 
• 92% will follow a social distancing 
• 88% will take a COVID-19 test prior to embarking 
• 87% support daily temperature checks

Anticipate Change

If you've never cruised before, you have no basis for comparison, so everything will seem just right.  However, for those that have cruised before, we anticipate things will be different when you come out of hibernation.  Here are a few changes we anticipate:

• Sanitation has always been important, so you won't see much change there, except perhaps in frequency of cleaning.
• Closer monitoring of hand-washing stations at restaurant entrances.
• Screening for illness at embarkation and throughout the cruise
• It won't be as crowded, which most people will like.
• Dining will be spread out - table size or capacity will be reduced.
• Buffets won't be self-serve (if they aren't eliminated completely, at least initially).
• Some services, such as pools and spas may be closed or have limited capacity.
• Entertainment will be impacted by social distancing - reservations will probably be needed.
• You won't have to shave - since everyone will have a mask on - who's going to know.
• Shore excursions will have limited capacity and probably won't have food included.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but we think it's representative of the kinds of changes that will be noticeable.    There will be behind the scenes changes, such as improved filtering, which you won't notice but will be happy it's been implemented.

The cruise industry is best equipped to deal with these safety implementations, since they've historically had similar measures in place.   

Update - The Current Experience

Since cruising has resumed this past summer, cruisers are experiencing ships at 50% or lower capacity, crew very eager to serve,  and all that they loved cruising for to still be possible.  Masks are in use when safe distancing isn't possible, but other than that, things appear to be better than normal.  Cruise lines have reported higher satisfaction rates than pre-Covid.

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by"                              ~Sea Fever, John Masefield

 

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