A-ROSA has outlined its new health & hygiene concept for onboard ahead of its restart next month (CW 11 May). The concept has been created by the A-ROSA Care Team, comprising of both internal and external specialists, with the German cruise line’s restart assured by financial support from the country’s...
A-ROSA has outlined its new health & hygiene concept for onboard ahead of its restart next month (CW 11 May).
The concept has been created by the A-ROSA Care Team, comprising of both internal and external specialists, with the German cruise line’s restart assured by financial support from the country’s northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in the form of a loan guarantee.
The health & hygiene concept is based on the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, and the World Health Organization, and considers the pandemic regulations of the individual countries through which the ships pass.
The line has said it is “closely monitoring the requirements of governments and authorities, as well as the recommendations from relevant health organisations”, with concepts continually being updated due to constantly changing conditions.
The Care Team will be responsible for implementation of the health & hygiene concept on board, of which measures include: social distancing protocols for the entire ship, enhanced cleaning procedures, the wearing of mouth and nose coverings in public spaces, pre-screening and temperature checks prior to embarkation, meals to be served at tables at set times, and the reduction of excursion numbers.
Other various key measures include a minimum social distance of 1.5 metres applying shipwide; aisles as “one-way-streets”; a reduction in size of dining areas; rules of conduct communicated by posters, information videos and ship announcements; the enhancement of existing cleaning and disinfection plans and logs; disinfectants at all entrances; and access to the ship by external persons to be kept to the necessary minimum.
Other measures include guests being sent a declaration of fitness to travel prior to departure, as well as a copy of the rules of onboard conduct, both of which must be signed and handed over upon arrival.
“River cruises are an ideal and flexible form of travel for a safe relaxing holiday in the new normal…the ships are comparatively small and have relatively few guests on board, so that the necessary hygiene rules can be implemented efficiently,” said A-ROSA Cruises Managing Director Jorg Eichler, who also recognised the support of the company’s home state, as well as the bank and shareholders.
