Operational management
The Anthem of the Seas Quantum class cruise ship by Royal Caribbean.
What they do about shoreside excursions remains a stickier question. P&O Cruises found one solution with its ‘voyages to nowhere’ – three and four-night sailings without any stop-offs at all. “We will aim to take our ships where it is warm and sunny," affirmed P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow, in an ominous-sounding statement to those familiar with the unpredictable bursts of wind and rain that can dampen British coastal areas.
“All excursions take place in a bubble, and involve either scenic coach tours of a destination or venue tours where the venue is closed to the wider public to ensure guests do not mix with anyone external to the ship.”
Nigel Blanks 50% FCDO 42
Other operators are doing what they can to minimise contagion: “All excursions take place in a bubble, and involve either scenic coach tours of a destination or venue tours where the venue is closed to the wider public to ensure guests do not mix with anyone external to the ship,” says Blanks.
The capacity at which ships are told to operate, even with a vaccination policy in place. Most operators require guests to be fully jabbed.
Embracing local shores
Despite the challenging ‘new normal’ in which cruise lines are required to operate, they are keen to stress that the cruise experience is not diminished by these new protocols. As Bouldin explains, Royal Caribbean worked hard to ensure Covid-19 measures do not have a negative impact on guests’ holidays. “Many of them, such as the newly developed app, have been designed not just to support Covid health and safety protocols, but to
make the cruise experience more enjoyable,” he says. “Health and safety remains a high priority but there is no doubt our cruises offer guests the ideal mix of chills and thrills thanks to our spectacular on board activities, restaurants and entertainment.” After all, Covid protocols may seem like a small price to pay if you haven’t been on holiday for two years. What’s more, with foreign holiday still so admin-intensive, domestic cruising likely gained a new allure. There is some suggestion that guest demographics may have changed throughout this period, with a higher proportion of first-time cruisers who wanted to make the most of their ‘staycation’. Given the unique circumstances in which it arose, domestic cruising is unlikely to continue this momentum. International cruises resumed from England on 2 August, and both Bouldin and Blanks expect their guests will be excited to explore beyond Britain’s shores. However, it’s also a safe bet that the summer’s more local itineraries won’t be easily forgotten.
“As the only British-owned, British-flagged cruise operator, we’re proud to be able to offer our guests a unique experience on board our two brand new ships,” says Blanks. “I cannot wait to see what the future holds for what I’m sure will be an exciting new chapter for both Saga and the UK cruise industry as a whole.” With opportunities to venture abroad now few and far between – and staying closer to home deemed by many to be a more sensible option than heading overseas – there is no denying that Covid-19 has shifted the spotlight towards British domestic cruising. While the North Atlantic might not always make for blue sky sailing and sun-kissed adventures, it has a rugged beauty that is all too often overlooked. ●
World Cruise Industry Review /
www.worldcruiseindustryreview.com
Royal Caribbean
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