SPECIAL REPORT


‘This gives us a strong framework for sector’s return’


Clia believes the new framework document is “a step towards getting Foreign Office advice changed”. UK & Ireland chairman Tony


Roberts told Travel Weekly: “It’s not a signal that cruising is returning but it’s a sign that we’ve got in place a really strong framework for our return.” He said the recommendations


should “give confidence to travel advisors who sell cruise and to their customers”. Roberts, Princess Cruises’


THAT COULD HASTEN THE SECTOR’S RESUMPTION


disinfect cabins between check-out and check-in, and to place hand sanitiser in rooms


ONBOARD PUBLIC VENUES O Passengers may be required to pre-book tables at venues


or be given an allocated time for each meal and must dine with their household or travelling group


O Lines are encouraged to operate waiter-only seated service in venues, with waiters wearing PPE


O Operators are encouraged to limit numbers in entertainment venues and reduce their frequency, plus implement one-way systems and show guests to seats. Seat blocking and pre-booking of venues is encouraged, with music levels reduced to avoid the need to raise voices


O Passengers are asked to exercise in open-air venues “where practical” and to arrive in gyms early and in exercise clothes; gyms are advised to limit numbers


O At pools, guests are “strongly advised” to shower before entering the water and lines should enhance cleaning in changing areas; sunbeds should be distanced and disinfected after each use


O Shops and salons should be laid out to allow for as much distance between guests as possible


O Children’s nurseries should operate outside as often as possible, with children grouped into teams


O Passengers are urged to bring enough clothing to avoid need for laundry services


travelweekly.co.uk


IN DESTINATIONS O Excursion groups are encouraged to keep away from other tour groups


O Passengers must follow their line’s health and protection measures on shore excursions, which may include social distancing, use of face coverings and hand hygiene


O Guests may be subject to local health requirements, and operators may request use of face coverings even if it is not a local requirement


O Passengers will be screened before being allowed to re-embark their ship


WHEN DISEMBARKING, PASSENGERS... O Must show proof of a completed passenger locator form at the UK border


O Leave the port terminal as quickly as possible, and only allow essential non-passengers to enter the terminal


O May need to self-isolate on arrival in the UK. Whether they need to self-isolate, and for how long, depends on where they have been in the previous 14 days, depending on government advice at the time


IN EVENT OF A POSITIVE COVID TEST... O Cruise lines must have set aside spare cabins so the affected passenger(s) can isolate


O Operators are to have prior arrangements established, with designated key ports identified for each voyage


8 OCTOBER 2020 11


vice-president for the UK and Europe, said: “There’s a huge amount of pent-up demand and consumers are looking for that indication that they can start to plan their holidays again. This should give them that.” Commenting on prospects


for the government to lift its advice against ocean cruising, Roberts said “the government aren’t putting a timescale on that”. He admitted it was “a balancing act with public health”, making it difficult to predict when it will be right to resume. Andy Harmer, Clia senior


vice-president of membership and UK and Ireland director, said the framework’s “risk- based approach” allowed lines to develop their own policies in detail and was “an important first step towards the resumption of cruise” as it was recognised by government. He added that the


government “realises the importance of cruising to the economy and travel trade jobs”.


Tony Roberts


NEWS


PICTURE: Shutterstock


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