Carnival and Disney cancel sailings, Costa Cruises buffers embarkation
The cruise industry is divided. There are companies that have chosen to stop all travel and companies that are [...]
The cruise industry is divided. There are companies that have chosen to stop all travel and companies that are continuing their operations with the highest security protocols. So much so that the cruises are at the top of Italians' (and others') desires during this period of flight stoppages.
In this article:
Royal Caribbean, for one, decided to focus on cruises for only vaccinated people (and staff), with the Mediterranean debut of the new flagship.
But which shipping companies can we go with, perhaps for Easter or at any rate in the near future? Let's find out together.
Cruises, the stop of Carnival and Disney
Carnival e Disney Have chosen the line of caution. Their cruises are suspended until next June, and as for Disney, even some departures planned for August have been canceled.
"Given the likelihood that international borders will remain closed for a long period of time, we decided to cancel Disney Magic departures until August 10, 2021" reads a note. Disney Wonder's Alaska season is also in doubt, given the Canadian government's announcement that it will not allow ships with more than 100 passengers to dock at any port until Feb. 28, 2022.
Carnival announced, instead, to suspend departures from U.S. ports until the May 31 for security issues. An actual date for resumption of operations to date is not available. In early February, the company had introduced more flexible conditions for travel until early summer, allowing travelers to cancel their reservations without penalty if they were unable to leave. Now, however, it has decided to put its plans on hold. Those who have already booked will be able to get a full refund or spend the "credit" obtained on a future trip.
Costa Cruises intoduces buffers at embarkation
Different is the strategy implemented by Costa Cruises. From March 27, at the company's ports of departure, cruise passengers will be subjected to molecular buffer before boarding. The initiative, in collaboration with Dante Lab, will begin in Savona.
Costa Smeralda travelers, departing right from the Ligurian port, will take advantage of the services of the "mobile Dante": on board the vans - outfitted for the occasion with virus inactivators, liquid-handling machinery, extractors and pcr - will undergo the swab and, only if it comes back negative, will they be allowed to embark on their cruise (which will touch Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Messina, Cagliari and La Spezia).
This is another step forward for Costa Cruises, whose "Costa Safety Protocol" provides:
- Fully online check-in, starting 72 hours before departure
- Completion of a self-certification on one's health status
- staggered boarding times
- Health screening at the boarding terminal with body temperature monitoring
- limited number of passengers on board
- Common spaces and relaxation areas with limited access
- ad hoc signage
- Obligation to wear a mask, for guests as well as shipboard personnel
- Sanitizing gel dispensers available to guests
- tables spaced
- Wide time slot for access to restaurants
- menu available only on smartphones via QR code
- Shows repeated several times during the week and at the same time to allow everyone to have fun safely
- Occupancy limits for fitness areas, swimming pools and spa
- Squok Club sanitized several times a day and open at dedicated times, accessible to children in small groups
- Shore leave allowed only through the purchase of one of the safe excursions offered by Costa Cruises
- Cabins subjected to virucidal disinfectant treatments
