All posts by Robert De Pasquale

Viking.TV

Take A Break from Lockdown with A Virtual Cruise

Posted: May 7, 2022

Countries, Onboard Features

Dependent on our personal situation, confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic can affect our physical and mental health, and this affect us in many ways.

To add to the stress, people who have been waiting for several months to take a break on a cruise have been dealt with a bitter pill to swallow and have been advise there cruise has been cancelled.

What can cruisers do to fill this cruise void?

The good news is Viking Cruises have introduced a new virtual travel platform to support their customers escape lockdown and take a break from coronavirus travel restrictions, not physically but virtually.

The new digital travel platform, called Viking.TV, highlights cultural content and livestreaming video encounters from all over the globe.

Views can take a canal tour through St Petersburg, museum livestream sessions with Oslo’s Munch Museum, a glimpse at life in Highclere Castle (the location of Downton Abbey) and yoga livestreams as part of their wellness weekends hosted by Viking’s LivNordic Spa experts.

Viking.TV also incorporates recipes inspired by Viking cruise destinations, along with reading lists, watchlists and playlists which are ideal for those eager to review for a post-pandemic voyage.

“Right now, we are all staying at home instead of travelling together, but that does not have to mean that the only thing we can do is watch the news,” said Executive Vice President Karine Hagen. “My father, Torstein Hagen, and I felt that if we cannot for the time being bring our guests to the world, let’s bring the world to our guests. And as soon as actual travel is less complicated again, we are ready to welcome you onboard.”

On 12 March 2020, Viking became the first cruise line to declare a suspension in operations due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Their new virtual travel platform inspires holidaymakers and those effected by the global pandemic to delve into the Viking cruise experience in the comfort of their homes.

 

Seaface

Royal Caribbean Seeks Patent of ‘Seaface’ Mask

Posted: May 4, 2022

Health & Safety, Onboard Features, , , , ,

We are all too familiar with news footage of people seen wearing face marks, we also see them in public places like shopping centers, doctors’ rooms, and on the street, the face mask has become “Coronavirus Couture”.

Consistent with official advice, progressively more people are wearing face masks – allowing some a hint of self-expression amid the pandemic.

But Westerns have long denounced face mask wearing, unlike East Asia face masks have long been a regular feature of daily life.

Whether for fashion or for health purposes, they are sometimes considered a sign of the wearer’s social responsibility, and those who don’t wear masks during public health emergencies are the ones who are stigmatised.

Could the mask trend continue when we stop social distancing and Covid-19 is less of a threat? Maybe…

Deserved or not, cruise lines have been the scapegoat for many in the court of public opinion that they are extra susceptible to person-to-person spread.

But on your next Royal Caribbean cruise you should expect to see some passengers, or crew wearing face masks.

Royal Caribbean is giving a first look at what that future might hold, with the company filing a new trademark for its own brand of sanitary masks called ” SEAFACE™“.

The trademark lists the description of the trademark simply as:

“SEAFACE™ trademark registration is intended to cover the category of sanitary marks for isolation purposes”

Trademark applications usually are quite vague regarding their intended use, so it remains to be seen precisely how it will be used, if at all.

While the application has apparently been accepted by the office, it has yet to be assigned an examiner, a necessary step for the approval of the trademark.

Royal Caribbean Said: “The mask is one in a number of innovations that our teams are exploring as we look forward to a safe, healthy and fun return to cruise.”

All subsidiaries of Royal Caribbean will use the mask if the patent is approved and the company chooses to implement it, spokesperson Jonathon Fishman. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara, Tui Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Pullmantur.

It is anyone’s guess as to whether the SEAFACE™ is intended for crew or passengers or both.

The masks are a thought-provoking move for an industry that has taken a enormous hit since the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) began. There may well be a cause for hope for those looking to begin cruising again as soon as possible.

Cruisers over 70 years

Physician Form Not Required For Passengers Over 70

Posted: May 2, 2022

Health & Safety, , , ,

Cruisers over 70 years of age can breathe a sigh of relief, as they will not have the extra burden on there future cruise, knowing that they do not have to provide a letter from there medical physician enabling them to cruise…. When cruising resumes.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), initially directed that passengers over 70 years of age, or passengers with existing chronic health conditions, are required to have a signed letter from a medical physician – known as a “Fit To Travel” physician form -  which authorises they are fit and healthy enough to sail on their cruise.

So, anyone with heart, lung, liver, or kidney problems, immunodeficiency disorders including HIV/AIDS, cancer or diabetes can rest assure they will be able to sail.

The directive caused huge waves among avid cruisers over 70 who have previously cruise numerous time each year, and they were anxious that there cruising days were over, that there medical physician would have their hands tied, and not provide them the all clear, due to liability.

As previously reported passengers will likely still have to follow different health restrictions when cruising returns in the post-COVID world.

We all know that the number one concern for all cruise lines, is the safety and security of all passengers and cruise, so cruise lines are aiming to manage and alleviate any COVID-19 cases that may occur, with the majority of cruise lines aiming to curb possible crucial instances.

Princess Cruises noted are working with public health officials, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, to create and execute best practices to protect the health of all guests and crew. That means, enhanced screening before embarkation to additional sanitisation procedures on board.

Princess will also refuse boarding to those with underlying severe chronic medical conditions, what these are has not been confirmed.

Passengers must be aware that if they fail to accurately divulge any illness or medical issues on the pre-cruise health declaration, will be disembarked at the next port of call and even may face legal prosecution.

The health and safety prerequisites involving notes from a medical physician has been altered across Royal Caribbean’s brands, including Celebrity Cruises and Azamara,  and Royal Caribbean.

Carnival Limit Passengers

Carnival To Limit Passenger Numbers Post COVID-19

Posted: April 30, 2022

Health & Safety, Onboard Features, , , , ,

Let’s face it, and not put our heads in the sand, what cruise life will be like post COVID-19 is anyone’s guess, and the actual aftermath is yet to be edged in stone.

This is a predicament that not only the cruise industry is determining, but additionally everyone who enjoys to regularly cruise, and as cruise lines roll out new rules and practices that will appease worldwide health organisations, and yet keep the cruise experience the fun, laid back experience it current was pre COVID-19.

Reports state that Carnival Corporation will be contemplating limiting the number of guests on its ships, according to Business Insider.

Two sources have informed the news site that Carnival Corporation that temperature checking before boarding will be the norm.

One of the radical modifications will be that some cabins would be inaccessible, and guests would only be permitted to book cabins and suites that gain access to fresh air, there is no information what this would mean for inside cabins as yet, but every second cabin would be left vacant.

But the light at the end of this dark tunnel we are all facing is that all these ideas are an improvement, and they are key to get us back on board, and cruise prices will be a big win for us – so look forward to some great deals.

But, as cruise lines carry fewer guests, do not expect the great deals to last long. In the end, cruising with these restrictions, put into pace for our safety will be more costly. It is still great value for money, and what price should one put safety, right?

What the future could look like?

With the aim of keep up social distancing that we are all accustomed to, it is being proposed that cruise ships sail on half the occupancy, for example: A cruise ship that carries 3,000 guests, might only carry half or as much as three quarters to guarantee enough of space in public areas.

Disembarkation and embarkation methods will be further staggered than they currently are.  Guests with disability must declare their disability and have an accompanied letter from a medical professional.

If you’re one of the people that loathe the long lines throughout breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the buffet, you can breathe a sigh of relief, as this may be a thing of the past, and we may even turn back to clock and see the return of dining times.

There will be limitations on the capacity of guests in public areas like the kids’ clubs, indoor and outdoor recreational areas, the spa, and the theatres.

In the Long Run, while waiting for a vaccination to be developed against COVID-19 (if they ever come up with one) brace yourself for additional restrictions within travel.

Genting Cruises, the Asian-based cruise company which owns Star Cruises, Dream Cruises and luxury line Crystal Cruises, have wasted no time taking steps to alleviation the threat of coronavirus outbreaks the moment cruising resumes.

Genting Cruises disclosed a widespread onboard health plan which will consist of medical certificates for guests over 70.

Embarkation and disembarkation will require guests to undergo a compulsory temperature screening. They are also required to complete a pre-boarding health declaration.

Guests will be required to check-in online, guaranteeing that they are assigned a certain boarding time to avert overcrowding in the terminal.

Genting has also said that they will be expanding cleaning protocols in staterooms and particularly in public areas.

Elevators will be cleaned every two hours, public areas will be cleaned up to 10 times each day, and the spa no less than twice a day.

Regular touch points like handrails, lift buttons, table-tops and door handles will be cleaned at best every hour. And throughout a variety of public areas, a crew will be positioned to give hand sanitisation.

And, there will be limited numbers of guests permitted in entertainment and leisure areas.

COVID-19 Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises Unveil New Health Protocols

Posted: April 29, 2022

Health & Safety, , ,

Princess Cruises is rolling out a few new health practices for its ships, the first in a progression of new rules it hopes to roll out when cruises get back to normal post COVID-19.

Among the more crucial factors are potential fines or prosecution for any individual who presents a false pre-boarding health questionnaire.

These protocols are intended to be equally thorough and compliant and are assertively acclimating to amendments as they take place.

Princess cruises are working meticulously with public health officials, which comprising the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in addition to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), to outline and set up best practices to safeguard the wellbeing of guests and crew.

The new set of regulations are divvied into before your cruise, embarkation and onboard. Several guidelines are an extension of the practices implemented in late February and early March.

So, what should you expect?

Before You Cruise

Princess Cruises will build its surveillance of COVID-19 outbreaks and will make the suitable amendments to itineraries to areas that are affected.

Princess Cruises will likewise keep up its policy of declining the boarding to booked passengers who meet an range of measures comprising any individual who has been in contact with an alleged or confirmed case with COVID-19; anybody experiencing a fever or flu like symptoms before they embark; and anybody with serious chronic health conditions.

Guests and crew members who full under these criteria’s will be not able to cruise, with booked passengers obtaining a future cruise credit or full refund.

Embarkation

On embarkation day, cruisers will be thoroughly screened, beginning with compulsory temperature checks of all guests and crew. Cruisers who present with a fever or flu like signs will be refused boarding, paying little heed to their latest travel history. All cruisers who are denied boarding because of sickness will be given a full future cruise credit or refund.

Cruisers will likewise be obliged to complete another health declaration before boarding explicitly intended to screen for COVID-19. During the cruise, anybody found to have falsely answered will be disembarked at the following port of call. Moreover, any individual who does not divulge signs of sickness may face prosecution.

Cruise Terminals will likewise experience elevated sanitation on embarkation and disembarkation days. Procedures will incorporate meticulous cleaning of all surfaces that have may been touch prior and after each cruising, just as misting every terminal before embarkation and debarkation.

Hand sanitisers will be placed throughout the terminal, and all passengers with pre-cruise transfers will be provided hand sanitiser before boarding buses and transfer shuttles from airports and hotels to the cruise terminal. All buses and shuttles will be sanitised prior to anyone getting onboard.

Each terminal will have hand sanitisers place throughout, and all passengers with transfers will be given hand sanitiser before boarding there means of transport and transfer shuttles from airports and lodgings to the cruise terminal. All forms of transport will be disinfected before anybody gets onboard.

 

Onboard

Food Service

Where conceivable, food service will be by crew members, with crew keeping an eye on all food stations, the buffet and ice cream machines. If this is not possible due to design limitations – a number of Princess buffets on new or refurbished ships have serving islands to diminish traffic, making crew service unconceivable - devoted staff will be presented to care for these stations and guarantee they are cleaned and decontaminated consistently.

In any self-service zones that remain, serving utensils will be restored on a regular basis.

Crew members will likewise be positioned at all hand-washing sinks and additionally at hand sanitisation dispensers at the doorway to all dining areas to remind guests to wash their hands before entering.

Sanitation and Cleaning

Princess has set up extra sanitation and cleaning measures for the entire fleet including:

  • Frequent sanitation of tables, seats, menus and surfaces in eateries and bars prior to and following service hours
  • Regular open deck sanitation of all outdoor furniture, mini-golf and sports gear and equipment
  • Additional cleaning of all surfaces frequently touched by guests in all public areas and lounges, restaurants, lobbies, corridors, elevators, handrails, public phones, counters, public displays, medical centers, gangways, casino chips, games, slot machines, fitness machines, children’s toys and security screening equipment
  • Stateroom surfaces including fixtures will be cleaned twice a day with specific regard for door handles, bathrooms and surfaces that are regularly touched
  • During cases that guests or crew show flulike symptoms, their staterooms will get a more comprehensive cleaning
  • Additional hand sanitizers will be placed in areas where there is higher traffic by guests and crew
  • The temperature in all washers and dryers will be increased for extra sanitation of washed items, including bedding, tablecloths, towels and napkins
  • Guest laundromats will likewise be set to the greatest washer/dryer temperature settings
  • More frequent cleaning and sanitation of public toilets
  • All public lounges and restroom doors will be propped open to minimize entryway handling
  • Increased number of hand sanitizer dispensers during tendering

Crew Training

Princess will likewise be expanding its crew training to strengthen continuous hand-washing and to urge crew to refrain from hand contact with guests. Crew will likewise be urged to report guests who present indications of illness (coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and so forth.).

There will likewise be an expanded inventory of personal protection equipment available throughout the fleet, and on certain voyages, guests facing crew might be required to wear masks.

Medical Evaluations

All crew who display signs of extreme respiratory illness will be required to visit the medical center onboard for a complimentary clinical consult; guests are ” strongly urged” to do the same.

Princess will give a medical screening and, when fitting, test for COVID-19 for any individual who shows signs of flu, respiratory distress or fever.