By
Alex Smith |
Holland America is introducing mBark facial recognition and the VeriFLY vaccine verification programme to its embarkation process in all American, Canadian and European homeports.
The touchless mBark mobile system enables guests to check in for their cruise by uploading their photo and all pre-travel information to Holland America Line’s website prior to embarkation. They will then be able to scan their face to move through the check-in process in about 10 seconds. SKO Systems, based in London, UK, designed and implemented mBark for Holland America Line.
Meanwhile, the VeriFLY digital wallet of Covid-19 credentials allows guests to prove their vaccination and test results. Guests can upload required information to the app prior to arrival to the terminal, and then will be able to show the VeriFly QR code or a digital or printed pass, to the check-in agent.
“Holland America Line continues to look for ways that make the cruising experience better for our guests as we navigate protocols and best practices for today’s travellers,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We recently completed testing with VeriFLY and mBark on a few sailings, and the most common comment from guests was, ‘That’s it?’ because it’s so fast and efficient.”
VeriFLY launched on Rotterdam in March 2021 and will now be rolled out to other operating ships in the fleet by the end of March 2022. mBark will also launch with ships as they return to service and will begin in other embarkation ports as the ships move to new cruising regions.