Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

6 1 A-ROSA’s river ships have already returned to rivers in Europe with enhanced health and safety protocols to protect guests and crew two sittings, and drinks will be served at tables rather than the bar. And when the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office gave the green light for river cruising on 16 July, Rowe and her team began preparing to welcome British guests back onboard. “Cruise Lines International Association has helped immensely by bringing the entire river cruise sector together and helping work out the restart strategy,” she explains. “Our cruises have already resumed on the Douro, Rhine, Danube and Rhone and we can’t wait for our UK guests to return.” Ashore, the destinations along the rivers where A-ROSA operates have been preparing for months to welcome back visitors, in collaboration with their relevant authorities. Concepts onboard will work hand- in-hand with regional health protocol and ports of call. Working with its excursion partners, A-ROSA will reduce group sizes, ask guests to wear masks on coaches and ensure that audio equipment and bikes are disinfected after every use. There has been much talk on how cruising in the ‘new normal’ would be received, but according to Rowe, initial feedback from guests and crew alike has been very positive. “Everyone seems to be taking more time to enjoy everything and they are grateful that, after the hard months of lockdown, they are able to take a holiday at all,” she confirms. “Many of our guests are quite emotional when they get back onboard and so very grateful to be back sailing on the rivers.” Looking ahead, Rowe believes the industry will bounce back and people will appreciate time away with their loved ones even more. “Holidays will become even more treasured – a real highlight each year and something travellers look forward to more than ever,” she says. “The industry, I know, will understand how to make this important and valuable time even more special for its customers.” Rowe is also confident that A-ROSA’s new E-Motion ship, set to be the largest on the Rhine when it launches in March 2022, will offer the space to meet social distancing requirements should they still be necessary. “We are very much looking forward to our new ship being launched in the not too distant future and we are proud and excited that it is aimed at the multi- generational market,” she says. “More than ever, people will want to go away with their extended families and explore the beauty of Europe’s rivers, cities and landscapes together.” C&F