Page 29: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 2020)

INTERVIEW CAPtAin HAvArD rAMSoy, GentinG CruiSe LineS

Photo: Genting Cruise Lines/Inset: DNV GL

Meeting and exceeding these expectations will become the measures cover everything. We hope this will help us to bring new norm for the cruise industry. Initially, safe distancing will be confdence to our customers that cruising will be safe the day a common practice which will see our guests checking-in online we resume our business.

with designated times at the terminal to minimize congestion, on board venues operating at reduced capacity to ensure ample What will be the criteria to roll this certifcation out spacing among guests, the suspension of buffets with F&B being ‘feet wide?’ served instead etc. Our enhanced measures developed with the We are still discussing the next steps for the certifcation process.

COVID-19 pandemic in mind will be the new norm that include stringent health screening processes and protocols, thorough When your customers step back on board your ships, sanitization and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for how will the cruising experience ‘look and feel’ different?

guest cabins, various onboard public areas and recreational ac- As we resume operations in the near future, these will include tivities, and increased food and beverage safety. stringent health screening processes and protocols such as

Hence, it’s important to also continue to educate and create mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health dec- awareness among potential and future guests to boost conf- larations for embarkation and disembarkation; thorough saniti- dence such as informing them of our ship designs that enable zation, disinfection and enhanced hygiene processes for guest 100% external fresh air to be fltered and supplied to the cabins cabins and on board public areas at a higher frequency – public and on board public areas – ensuring a constant and healthy areas that were previously sanitized once daily will be sanitized fow of fresh air with no recirculation within the ship – an im- two to four times daily with hospital grade disinfectants.

portant feature on our cruise ships. In addition, safe distancing will be a common practice which will see our guests checking in online with designated times at

You recently made news as the inaugural customer the cruise terminal to minimise congestion, while guest capac- for DNV GLs CIP-M certifcation. Please discuss the ity will be reduced at on board venues to provide ample space specifcs of this certifcation, what it will cover, its cost, for safe distancing between guests during the initial phase of as well as the perceived beneft you see that it delivers. operations. Similar hygiene and safe distancing practices will

As part of the CIP-M certifcation, DNV GL assesses ves- also be applied to the entertainment and recreational activities.

sel operations, including enhanced sanitation procedures, food Self-service at buffet restaurants will also be suspended. All food preparation and handling, physical distancing requirements, and beverages will be served to guests by our crew who will be use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by crew members, wearing face masks and gloves as added precautionary measures.

maintenance of public health essential systems, emergency re- Sanitizer dispensers will also be available at various public sponse plans, pre-boarding screening, embarkation and debar- areas and crew members will be stationed at key on board ven- kation processes, and itinerary or port planning protocols. We ues to provide hand sanitation. We will continue to work close- beneft from a strong partner like DNV GL. Its health care ex- ly with the various regional governments and also key bodies, pertise in infection risk management has certifed 640 hospitals including DNV GL, the world’s leading advisor for the mari- worldwide. This will help us to ensure our comprehensive new time industry, to safeguard the welfare of all guests and crew.

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