Norwegian Cruise Line has rolled out a new set of enhancements to their health and safety measures. The new measures include: enhanced health screenings for crew and passengers, increased sanitation, measures to guarantee social distancing and enhanced medical resources.
Norwegian Cruise Line has been working closely with the CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) and are adding stringent protocols, strategic application and supporting innovation to meet and exceed the new standards once they have been finalised by the CDC. At this moment the cruise line is implementing a series of new safety manners.
ENHANCED SCREENING PROTOCOLS
All guests will undergo an enhanced pre-embarkation health screening, and those considered at risk will undergo additional screening. Additionally, all crew will undergo extensive screening prior to embarkation and constant monitoring throughout the voyage. Touchless temperature checks and continuous monitoring of guests and crew throughout the voyage will help identify potential health issues, offering an additional layer of prevention and protection.
- Temperature Screenings
Touchless temperature checks will occur:- Prior to embarkation
- Upon returning to the ship from a port of call
- Prior to all meals in dining venues
- Prior to all activities in public venues
- Prior to disembarkation
- Crew Screenings
A healthy crew helps ensure healthy guests. Constant monitoring of crew health includes temperature checks multiple times per day as well as rigid sanitation protocols
Norwegian is enhancing its existing Pre-Employment Medical Examination process, which already screens for a wide variety of infectious diseases, to ensure the health and safety of the crew. The company is also exploring on board testing capabilities that will allow crew members to undergo the latest, most advanced form of COVID-19 testing at any time throughout their employment contract
INCREASED SANITATION MEASURES
All ships are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to every voyage in accordance with company protocols, which are developed in partnership with CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Programme. Embarkation terminals will be sanitized continuously, and, where possible, fogged before and after each embarkation and debarkation. Further, all staterooms, suites and public areas will be cleaned, sanitized and disinfected at an increased frequency, and including the use of Electrostatic Spray Technology. Increased sanitation efforts include:
- HOCl Fogging in Staterooms & Public Areas
Fogging in staterooms and public areas with the disinfectant hypochlorous acid (HOCI). Hypochlorous acid is a non-toxic, powerful oxidant that effectively kills bacteria, spores, and viruses. It is natural and safe to use in open areas since it is comprised of natural elements such as water and salt, and electric charge. - Increased frequencies of cleaning
The cruise line’s 24/7 prevention timetable will feature continuous disinfection of public areas and high-traffic touch points. The company will ensure that cleaning occurs continuously for all elevators and all public areas during on and off-peak hours. - Full Service Buffets
Buffets and beverage stations will be full service with staff available to serve guests. - Personal Hygiene
All guests will be strongly encouraged to engage in frequent handwashing, including when entering food and beverage venues, and hand sanitizer will be prominently placed and easily accessible throughout the ship.
RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL DISTANCING
To provide even more space for responsible social distancing, guest capacity on board will be reduced. Staggered embarkation and online check-in will be implemented for proper social distancing. In addition, the cruise line is committed to reducing capacity in all public areas throughout the voyage.
- Online check-in and staggered embarkation
Norwegian continues to work with port and government authorities to determine procedures that are in accordance with CDC and global health agencies’ guidance, to implement protocols that allow for proper social distancing during the embarkation process, including staggered embarkation and advanced check-in procedures. - Social Distancing Onboard
All onboard activities will still be available, although operated at a reduced capacity, and in some cases, slightly modified in order to ensure safe social distancing. The company will take necessary precautions and follow applicable public health guidelines to ensure guest health and safety at all times.
ENHANCED MEDICAL RESOURCES
Onboard medical centres will be fully equipped with the latest testing kits and medical supplies. Norwegian is also increasing its medical team fleetwide. Additionally, each ship has dedicated isolation accommodations should the need arise.
- Testing kits and medical supplies include:
- Advanced on-site rapid diagnostic testing for COVID-19
- Increased inventory of medical oxygen equipment
- Increased inventory of vaccinations
- Increased inventory of medication to treat COVID-19
- Enhanced health & safety trainings and continued education for crew members
- Norwegian will begin to introduce a newly created onboard position of Public Health Officer, responsible for the oversight of all sanitation and outbreak prevention initiatives. Additionally, they will monitor the day-to-day cleanliness of all public areas and accommodations, maintaining compliance with the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Programme.
ALL-NEW AIR FILTRATION
Installation of medical-grade air-filters, H13 HEPA, that remove 99.95% of airborne pathogens across the entire fleet to ensure the air you breathe is clean.
- Replace existing filters with H13 HEPA filters – Medical Grade
H13 HEPA is one of the highest grades of particulate air filter, removing 99.95% of all particulates 0.1 microns or larger. For comparison purposes, COVID-19 is 0.125 microns (25% larger), a single blood cell is 10 microns (10,000% larger) and a single human hair is 75 microns (75,000% larger)
EXTENDED SHIP TO SHORE SAFETY
- Norwegian Cruise Line is partnering with local destinations and tour operators to ensure the health and sanitation protocols extend to the shoreside experience.
- Ships will only visit safe, open ports of call which may cause changes to the original itinerary.
How do you feel about Norwegian Cruise Line’s new health and safety measures? Will the enhanced measures make you feel safe to set sail in the future? Let us know in the comments.