DESTINATIONS WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2021 | CRUISE
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Canoeing in Alaska with Holland America Line; Amadeus Star cabin with panoramic window; Borealis, Fred Olsen Cruise Lines; Emerald Waterways’ Radiance in Portugal PICTURE: Florian Schulte
non-toxic and sustainable” ACT CleanCoat solution that makes surfaces self-disinfecting. Scenic Eclipse will also be coated with an odourless surface solution that decomposes microbes and purifies the air when exposed to light, according to the line.
TOUCH-FREE SYSTEMS Many are putting an emphasis on touch-free systems, including contactless payments. Scenic and Emerald Cruises will have contact- free guest services and automated doors to limit touch points. Princess Cruises’ wearable technology, OceanMedallion, debuted in 2018 and operating as a digital key, contactless payment system and general personal assistant – will now offer additional services such as showing you the busiest spots on the ship so you know where to avoid. Likewise, the MSC for Me wristband will enable contactless payments and facilitate track and trace systems, while guests sailing on Celebrity, Azamara and
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Royal Caribbean will be able to download a digital key on their smartphones to unlock the room touch-free. The group has also replaced its in-person muster drill with a digital version, combining training on its mobile app with an in-cabin interactive system on the TV, marking an industry first, according to the company.
ON SHORE Shore activities are also likely to see some changes, with disembarkation and excursions themselves being done in smaller groups; Hurtigruten will be capping its coaches at 50% of normal numbers, for example. Independent exploration may also be limited at the start; P&O Cruises, Crystal and MSC all say guests will initially only be able to explore on organised excursions, while Celestyal says guests will be “strongly advised” to take the line’s organised excursions for health and safety reasons.
Carnival Cruise Line says details of its shore procedures are still being finalised. “The CDC will
The CDC will
expect us to have a consistent method of maintaining health and safety standards
expect us to have a consistent method of maintaining health and safety standards and that includes during shore excursions, which will likely mean defining how guests can experience destinations,” explains Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of trade sales and marketing. “As details are finalised, destinations are going to have something to say about access by guests.” But Lynn Narraway, UK and
Ireland managing director for Holland America Line, says cruise lines will be working to overcome this. “As cruise lines, we know the port experience for our guests includes self-discovery,” she says. “We want to find solutions that
will permit these kinds of activities without compromising our ability to sail.”
DINING When it comes to dining, pre- booking may become more commonplace – Hurtigruten will offer different dining slots, for example – although some lines say they will keep open seating. Bubble dining is likely to be the
order of the day; P&O says guests will only be able to dine with the group they’re travelling with or their household to allow for social distancing, while Uniworld likewise says dining will be done in bubbles and with fewer guests on each table. Amadeus will cap numbers at four per table, with the exception of families.
Many are scrapping buffets in favour of waiter service, while others will see crew plating individual items at the buffet stations. Digital menus and QR codes also look set to be a common theme. SPAS, GYMS AND POOLS On the facilities front, spas, ²
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