Carnival Corporation’s Aida Cruises, which is based in Germany, will begin cruises again starting from August 2020.
Aida Cruises to Restart Operations
There is some good news for the cruise industry as the largest cruise line so far has announced that its cruises will restart from August. The Carnival-owned Aida Cruises will kick off operations once again, starting with three of its ships in Europe.
AIDAperla will be the first to set sail on August 5 from Hamburg, followed by AIDAmar from Rostock-Warnemünde on August 12, and AIDAblu from Kiel on August 16. Bookings start today, July 9.
To make this happen the cruise line has been working hard on implementing new health measures to make sure guests and crew will stay safe when cruises resume. Aida has been working with several global and national health authorities to make sure the correct procedures and protocols are developed correctly.
Aida has detailed its new health and safety procedures which start with the booking process through individual travel preparation, embarking and disembarking in port, and medical care on board. AIDA Cruises has introduced a variety of preventive measures to complement existing health and hygiene standards.
Related: Cruise Line Suspends All Sailings to the U.S. and Canada Until 2021
These measures range from the digital health questionnaires prior to the cruise, to temperature measurements before check-in for guests and crew, to physical distancing guidelines and routing systems on arrival and departure and on board, to closely managing capacities at venues such as restaurants, bars, theatres, sports courts, and wellness areas.
The enhanced protocols are supplemented by additional hygiene and safety measures, such as increased cleaning and disinfection measures, which take place in all cabins and public areas according to a defined protocol, as well as additional disinfection dispensers at check-in and on board.
Onboard medical care for all guests and crew is available around the clock. The ships are equipped with PCR-test-kits and diagnostic devices for the immediate evaluation of suspected COVID-19 cases, and the medical team on board is trained in the relevant test procedures and treatment methods.
Together with the responsible authorities, extensive processes have been developed to facilitate medical care, safe disembarkation, and a safe return home as quickly as possible for patients diagnosed with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Also Read: 6 Ways The Cruise Industry Will Make a Comeback
The first cruises will commence without any port of calls and that could also be a sign of things to come in the future. It is good news for sure, especially for cruise lines in Europe, however, how successful these cruises may be still does depend on travel restrictions and how the health crisis develops in the different regions.
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