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Carnival Announces New Policies For Post-Covid Cruising !!


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A step in the right direction but lets speed this up so we can start mock sailings at least. I'm sure RCG, NCL and others are following these protocols as well:

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Carnival Corporation Update on Operations

For Carnival Corporation and our nine world-leading cruise line brands, our highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the communities we visit. Below is an update on cruise operations.

An Industrywide Approach

The Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) – with input from Carnival Corporation and our cruise line brands and fellow members – announced on Sept. 21 the adoption of a strong set of health protocols that represent core elements for returning to service in the Americas.

These core elements are applicable to CLIA member ocean-going cruise ships subject to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) No Sail Order in the U.S. and will be continuously evaluated and adjusted against the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the availability of new prevention, therapeutics and mitigation measures.

Highlights include:

  • Testing: 100% testing of passengers and crew for COVID-19 prior to embarkation.
  • Mask-Wearing: Mandatory wearing of masks by all passengers and crew onboard and during excursions whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Distancing: Physical distancing in terminals, onboard ships, on private islands and during shore excursions.
  • Ventilation: Air management and ventilation strategies to increase fresh air onboard and, where feasible, using enhanced filters and other technologies to mitigate risk.
  • Medical Capability: Risk-based response plans tailored for each ship to manage medical needs, dedicated cabin capacity allocated for isolation and other operational measures, and advance arrangements with private providers for shoreside quarantine, medical facilities and transportation.
  • Shore Excursions: Only permit shore excursions according to the cruise operators’ prescribed protocols, with strict adherence required of all passengers and denial of re-boarding for any passengers that do not comply.

 Carnival Corporation's CruiseHealth Program

  • As our cruise line brands gradually resume cruising, our commitment to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew members and shoreside employees, and the communities we visit is reflected in our enhanced health measures developed in conjunction with government health authorities, public health experts, local ports and Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
  • As our understanding of COVID-19 is still evolving, we are working closely with some of the best minds in medical science, public health and infectious disease control to understand the challenges posed by the virus and how best to mitigate its spread.
  • Our CruiseHealth program elevates our existing practices to even greater levels to give consumers confidence and peace of mind when going on a cruise vacation with us.
  • Our operational protocols are being designed to be flexible and responsive to quickly adapt to the latest learnings as necessary. 
  • Two of Carnival Corporation's's nine cruise line brands – Italy-based Costa Cruises and Germany-based AIDA Cruises – restarted sailings in September and October in Europe. The enhanced health and safety protocols in place for AIDA and Costa have been developed in coordination with medical and scientific experts, and national and global authorities.

CruiseHealth Program Enhancements and Protocols Being Contemplated

  1. Health Screening, Illness Surveillance and Health Education
    • All guests and crew will be required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to embarkation
    • All guests and crew embarking a ship will undergo enhanced pre-embarkation health screening in accordance with prevailing health best practices, such as health questionnaires and touch-free temperature checks
    • Those identified at risk will undergo additional health evaluation by medical staff
    • Health checks as appropriate during the cruise for guests and crew
    • Rapid response and contact tracing plans in case of on-board illness
  2. Environmental Sanitization
    • Routinely use a safe disinfectant proven to quickly kill novel coronaviruses
    • Staterooms and public areas sanitized more frequently with cleaning and disinfection protocols developed in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
    • Ships and terminals undergo more thorough sanitization between cruises
    • Expanded disinfection methods using emerging and advanced technologies that are proven effective against coronavirus and other germs
  3. Guest Experience
    • Responsible physical distancing for all guests and crew managed by adjusting the flow, timing and size of groups
    • Mandatory wearing of masks for all guests and crew when physical distancing is not able to be maintained
    • Hand Hygiene – Additional handwashing facilities and hand sanitizing stations positioned in high-traffic areas throughout the ship 
    • Health Information – providing regular health reminders about the ways to stay healthy onboard and when ashore
  1. Health Care
    • A team of highly trained medical staff including qualified doctors and nurses who have experience in caring for a broad range of medical conditions
    • Medical centers that have both outpatient and inpatient facilities including critical care capabilities 
    • Medical centers modified for infection control best practices including dedicated air handling systems with 100% fresh air supply and HEPA exhaust filtration
    • Medication onboard that improves COVID-19 clinical outcomes
    • COVID-19 testing capabilities onboard, allowing for effective and fast response actions
    • Dedicated isolation and quarantine rooms should they be needed
    • Ongoing training and education of medical staff in the latest clinical care practices for managing COVID-19 cases
    • Partnerships with local and regional medical providers
    • Trained onboard staff to monitor compliance with health measures
    • Training of all crew in COVID-19 health protocols
  1. Ventilation Systems
    • Multi-layered, science-based strategy to upgrade air systems on all ships fleet-wide, including maximizing fresh air, and incorporating high-efficiency air filtration systems and state-of-the-art air treatment technology to eliminate any remaining particulates or pathogens
    • HEPA filtration systems for key areas such as medical centers and dedicated isolation rooms
  1. Partnerships with Local Stakeholders
    • Working with local health authorities, destinations and other key stakeholders to ensure alignment on our enhanced health and safety protocols, including shore excursions that are managed by each brand and follow strictly mandated guidelines
    • Monitor COVID-19 activity and health regulations in the destinations we visit and adjust itineraries as necessary
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This is the part that caught my eye on what Carnival had posted:

We may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

What I don't want to do is to go on a cruise then be stuck in my room for a good portion of it because all the reservations are filled for the places that I'd want to go on the ship...

 

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/policies-and-procedures

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Canada closed 'till '22, Grand Cayman closed 'till 22 -- not seeing signs of life from any US ports with no real guidance from USG.  Singapore is allowing "Q" - limited activity in Italy with MSC, Costa.   GE - has Aida limited operation.  European theater is catering to locals - those from off continent have additional requirement.   Right vibes just aren't forming for '21 for CONUS dwellers. 

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7 hours ago, TXCruiser said:

This is the part that caught my eye on what Carnival had posted:

We may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

What I don't want to do is to go on a cruise then be stuck in my room for a good portion of it because all the reservations are filled for the places that I'd want to go on the ship...

 

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/policies-and-procedures

Agree. If this is the solution its not going to work for my family. This is not a vacation. 

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11 hours ago, jticarruthers said:

Maybe Carnival is getting ready to start pushing the CDC a bit more? Seems like they are setting the scene for "here's everything we have done and are willing to do, are you ever going to tell us what else you want to see"

I'm not sure the CDC is going to sign off on a plan that accepts COVID tests that could potentially be up to 5 days old.  The CDC requires all international inbound travelers to present a negative test taken within 72 hours of their arrival into the US.  With that in mind there is no way the CDC green lights a plan that would allow passengers to board a cruise ship with results that could be up to 120 hours old.  If Carnival wants to push the CDC then they should follow MSC's lead and require all passengers present a negative test within 48 hours of embarkation or they could take it a step further and offer the rapid antigen test at the port which is similar to what some airline and airports around the world have rolled out. 

It is a great first step but I don't see the CDC signing off on this plan unless Carnival makes some serious changes to their pre-embarkation testing requirements.

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19 hours ago, TXCruiser said:

This is the part that caught my eye on what Carnival had posted:

We may use a reservation system for our public areas, such as pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

What I don't want to do is to go on a cruise then be stuck in my room for a good portion of it because all the reservations are filled for the places that I'd want to go on the ship...

 

https://www.carnival.com/legal/covid-19-legal-notices/policies-and-procedures

That idea is the most surprising part of their policies.

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23 hours ago, princevaliantus said:

Health Screening, Illness Surveillance and Health Education

  • All guests and crew will be required to test negative for COVID-19 prior to embarkation

You can test positive for months after COVID-19 infection. I wonder if they'll allow something like a doctor's note saying you're fine or you're just SOL. Tests are a must, just would be nice to know about certain circumstances.

Edited by sk8erguy1978
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2 hours ago, Ian T said:

Interesting commentary on this from Tony at La Lido Loca: 

 

The optimistic side of me says it was an "oops" by Carnival but the pessimistic side says they noticed the uproar on that Facebook website mentioned by the guy on the video and quietly walked back the info on those links.  Our cruise is in late July so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the world will look reasonably more like what it was pre-covid by that point in time. 

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