Major US cruise lines plan to test every passenger for Covid-19 before boarding
Testing will be compulsory for cruise passengers prior to boarding as the major operators look to restart sailing in the USA.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), an industry body that represents 95 per cent of the world’s cruise capacity, has announced extensive health and safety protocols for its members, and has described its introduction of mass testing “a travel industry first”.
Last week the managing director of UK-based Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Peter Deer, called for testing to be introduced to save the industry from an “impossible situation”.
Other measures include the wearing of facemarks onboard whenever social distancing can’t be maintained, and modified – often shorter – itineraries. CLIA believes that public health authorities, along with destination ports, support the protocols then cruises “could feasibly begin” before the end of 2020.
The news could pave the way for a similar road map to cruising being revealed by CLIA’s British arm. The Telegraph understands that discussions are ongoing between various Government agencies and CLIA over the easing of official advice that currently advises against all travel on ocean-going cruise ships.
The Department for Transport said advice will be altered once "appropriate measures" have been put in place to enable a Covid-19 safe resumption of cruise operations
Some of the world’s biggest cruise lines are members of CLIA, including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International.
Adam Goldstein, the organisation’s global chair, said that the cruise world had seen “tremendous learning”.
“We are in a position to announce mandatory core elements of health protocols that we see as a path [to the resumption of cruising].”
Along with testing, distancing and the wearing of masks, “core elements” of the plan include ventilation using advanced filters, increased medical capabilities (including prior arrangements for shoreside assistance in the event of someone falling ill), and limited shore excursions.
Brian Salerno, CLIA’s vice president of maritime policy at CLIA, described the “elements” as “essential building blocks” that are “intended to be adjusted over time”.
Europe’s cautious return to cruising has been held up as an example to follow. Since August, AIDA Cruises in Germany and MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises in Italy are the major cruise lines to have safely sail passengers out to sea. River cruises, which are exempt from the British Government’s advice, began again in June.
“Based on what we are seeing in Europe, and following months of collaboration with leading public health experts, scientists, and governments, we are confident that these measures will provide a pathway for the return of limited sailings from the US before the end of this year," said Kelly Craighead, the president and chief executive of CLIA.
