After months of global travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruise ships attempt to get back to normal, says an article published in Safety4Sea.
Germany reopening
Germany has been widely lauded for its efforts to contain its coronavirus outbreak and is now in the process of reopening its economy, with strict guidelines on social distancing, mask use and personal hygiene measures.
In an attempt to get back to normal, the first cruise ships start resuming their operations. The German cruise ship Mein Schiff 2 of the travel giant TUI marked the beginning by starting its three day round trip in the North Sea after months of global travel restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Mein Schiff 2 voyage
Guests
According to reports, the vessel is carrying around 1,200 passengers. Its usual capacity is 2,900.
No stop trip
Guests will spend the weekend at sea with no stops on land, until returning to Hamburg on Monday morning.
Norms to be followed
- Strict physical distancing and hygiene measures will take place onboard.
- Passengers will not be able to serve themselves food at the buffet.
German line AIDA Cruises
German line AIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, recently announced that three of its ships would resume operations in August.
Schedule announced
- On 5 August, AIDAperla will become AIDA’s first ship to hit the high seas again.
- On 12 August, AIDAmar will sail from the Baltic port of Warnemünde near Rostock.
- On 16 August, AIDAblu will follow, sailing from Kiel.
Dream Cruises
On Sunday, 26 July, Hong Kong-based operator Dream Cruises also restarted its voyages.
Four-day trip
Its cruise ship Explorer Dream departed Sunday from Taiwan’s northern Keelung port on a four-day cruise with only one-third of its maximum passenger limit onboard.
Schedule and restrictions
The ship will call at popular ports as Peng Hu, Matsu Island, Kinmen and Hualien.
Except from social distancing onboard, the liner has called off the buffet, spa and casino services too.
U.S. ban on cruise ships
However, the U.S. health officials last week extended the U.S. ban on cruise ships till the end of September as coronavirus infections rise in most U.S. states, including Florida, a popular departure site for Caribbean cruises.
CDC’s order
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief, Dr. Robert Redfield, said in the order that the cruise industry hasn’t yet controlled the transmission of the virus on its ships.
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Source: Safety4Sea
