Page 28: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2020)

INTERVIEW CAPtAin HAvArD rAMSoy, GentinG CruiSe LineS

CRuISe

DReAMS:

Plotting the Course for Safe Cruising

While COVID-19 has proven to be the biggest business disruption event in generations, for the once- booming cruise shipping industry it has meant a hard stop. Getting back to cruising will be neither fast nor easy. We reached out to Captain Havard Ramsoy,

Vice President, Marine Operations and Safety,

Genting Cruise Lines for insights on the path forward.

By Greg Trauthwein

Please give an overview of the Genting Cruise Ship At this time, what is the offcial plan to start operating feet today, and COVID 19 and its impact on the cruise ships with passengers?

Genting Cruise business. We hope to start cruising very soon depending of various

Throughout the unprecedented suspension of the global cruise evolving factors, such as the reopening of ports and destinations, passenger services due the COVID-19 situation, Genting Cruise lifting of travel restrictions etc. We anticipate resuming opera-

Lines’ feet, which comprises of Dream Cruises, Star Cruises and tions in (late summer) and we can start by exploring to offer

Crystal, has also been impacted with its feet currently in hiatus. “Holiday at Sea” itineraries cruising to nowhere as the ship it-

As the health and safety of Genting Cruise Lines’ guests and self is a destination, flled with on board activities, performances crew remain its top priority, various precautionary measures with and attractions. The Asian region has had a solid foundation as stringent health screening processes had been implemented from a cruise hub and destination with strong in market demand from the onset of the pandemic. As such, there have been no reported short to long haul markets last year. Other regional markets also cases of COVID-19 among guests or crew while on board or show promising opportunities with countries like China explor- transmitted via any of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships to date. ing to expand its “Travel Bubble” covering mainland China to

During this hiatus period, we have taken the positive opportu- Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as South Korea.

nity to implement comprehensive crew training to reinforce ef- fective and enhanced cleaning procedures, health and hygiene With the COVID-19 concerns, what measures have protocols and effcient guest interaction, which we will adopt been undertaken to help ensure that the cruise journey as the new safety norm for our feet and we hope for the indus- is as safe and healthy as possible for your customers?

try too. We were the frst in the industry to launch and introduce The COVID-19 pandemic will unquestionably change the our enhanced measures and we are proud also take the lead to travel industry and the way we travel, at least in the near future. collaborate with DNV GL towards the CIP-M certifcation of Travelers will me more cautious and have heightened expecta- “Explorer Dream” under the Dream Cruises brand. tions on hygiene, safety and preventive measures in place.

28 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • July 2020