When Genting Cruise Lines’ ships return to service after the
Covid-19 shutdown, there will be no more self-service buffets and tour coaches for shore excursions will
be limited to half capacity.
Plus, passengers age 70 and older must provide a doctor’s
certificate to travel.
Genting Cruise Line president Kent Zhu said these changes
and more will become the “new safety norm” for its Asia brands -- Dream Cruises and Star Cruises. Genting is also parent company to Crystal Cruises. Zhu expressed hope that
Genting’s changes would become industry standards.
“With these new standards and practices in place, Genting
Cruise Lines is optimistic that the cruise industry will rebound from this
temporary setback and regain the confidence of all cruise passengers when
operations resume,” the company said in a statement.
Genting also will filter in 100% external air to each
passenger cabin as well as onboard public areas. Upon boarding, every passenger
will be screened for fever on the ship’s gangway. Genting plans to enable online
check-in and give passengers designated arrival times at the cruise terminal to
minimize congestion.
Crew members will get temperature checks twice daily and
frontline crew will have to wear face masks.
Crew members wearing face masks and disposable gloves will
serve all food and drink -- there will be no more self-service. In addition to
enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, passenger seating will be spaced farther
apart.
All public areas, cabins and corridors will be cleaned more
frequently with hospital-grade disinfectant. Frequent touchpoints such as
handrails, elevator buttons, table-tops and door handles will be sterilized
hourly or less during peak hours.
In entertainment venues, capacity will be limited to half to
provide ample space between guests and theatres will be sanitized before and
after each show. Other venues will be cleaned more frequently, such as the kids’
clubs. Besides limiting tour coaches to half capacity, the interior will be sanitized
frequently, Genting said.
On the medical front, isolated wards will be created in the
and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.