Genting Cruise Lines has announced the restart of cruise operations for Dream Cruises. Beginning 26 July 2020 Explorer Dream will operate two and three-night “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries departing from Keelung and calling at Penghu, Matzu and Kinmen islands.
After months of detailed planning with the authorities, to ensure the safety and health of guests and crew, Dream Cruises will be the first cruise line in the world to begin sailing after the global cruise industry was shut down due to the pandemic.
Explorer Dream received the world’s first Certification in Infection Prevention for the Marine industry (CIP-M) and will resume cruise operations in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s low numbers of COVID-19 cases compared to global figures has been lauded by experts as one of the most effective response scenarios in the world. Due to the success Taiwan has experienced in controlling the pandemic within its borders, the local authorities have taken the proactive step to reinvigorate their economy and open up tourism.
To support this endeavour, Dream Cruises will offer special island-hopping cruises calling into the popular ports and islands of Peng Hu, Matsu Island and Kinmen, where Taiwanese guests will again be able to enjoy refreshing short getaways on carefree ocean voyages.
Enhanced health, hygiene and operating protocols
During the past few months, Genting Cruise Lines has completely re-examined and enhanced all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols to ensure the safest environment for everyone on board including social distancing in dining, entertainment and public areas, 100% fresh air ventilation in staterooms and operations throughout the ship.
Genting Cruise Lines has also worked with DNV GL, the largest classification society in the world, to adapt their hospital “Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP) for the Marine industry (CIP-M). Explorer Dream will be the first cruise ship in the world to receive the CIP-M certification, which will further verify the procedures and systems in place for the proper prevention, control, and mitigation of infection, to protect her passengers and crew.
Stringent health screenings and quarantine procedures
In accordance with Taiwan’s regulations prior to resuming sailing, Explorer Dream has undergone a thorough deep cleaning and observation of strict quarantine procedures for her crew. The majority of crew will be from other Genting Cruise Lines ships who have been quarantined for the last 3 months and all will undergo a mandatory 14 day quarantine on land after the ship arrives in Keelung on 30 June. Upon negative nucleic acid test results, an additional 7 day isolation period on board Explorer Dream will provide a total of 21 days of exhaustive preventive procedures before operations begin on 26 July.
To safeguard the well-being of guests, stringent health screening processes and guidelines prior to embarkation, disembarkation and social distancing measures on board, as well as thorough sanitization and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, along with safe food and beverage handling procedures will be in place.
For example, all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin as well as on board public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of fresh air throughout the vessels. Isolation wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.