Genting Cruise Line will put strict measures in place to ensure the safety of crew and passengers
By
Elly Yates-Roberts |
Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream is the first cruise ship to receive the Certification in Infection Prevention for the Maritime industry (CIP-M) from classification society DNV GL. The announcement comes as Dream Cruises plans to resume sailing in Taiwan on 26 July, following the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Dream Cruises’ owner, Genting Cruise Lines, the CIP-M represents new safety standards in the maritime industry that include “enhanced infection prevention control procedures and systems for the safety and well-being of guests and crew members”. The certification is based on DNV GL’s healthcare foundation and expertise in infection risk management, and is used in over 630 hospitals worldwide.
“We are very proud to mark the world’s first CIP-M certification with Genting Cruise Lines,” said Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, a regional manager at DNV GL – Maritime. “It is encouraging to see that the cruise line has taken a lead in an industry so adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our new certification will help ship operators to restore passenger confidence and restart operations once the situation allows.”
Genting says that during its hiatus from sailing, it has “reviewed and bolstered its overall prevention and response plan for the eventual recommencement of its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises ships to ensure the safest environment for guests and crew”. As part of this, the company will carry out mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for all passengers and crew, increased santisation and disinfection onboard ships, and online check-in and staggered boarding times to reduce congestion. All self-service restaurants will also now see crew members serving while wearing face masks and gloves.
Explorer Dream will resume sailing in July and homeport in Keelung, Taiwan for roundtrip cruises to Penghu, Matsu, Hualien and the Kinmen Islands.
“Genting Cruise Lines is proud to be part of this milestone as we continue to set new standards for our fleet and the maritime industry through the CIP-M of Explorer Dream,” said Kent Zhu, president of Genting. “We are proactively taking positive steps to gradually resume operations, starting in Taiwan. These include customised safety and preventive measures in accordance to DNV GL’s CIP-M programme and the local authorities to protect and provide peace of mind for our guests and crew.”