Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2021

6 0 V IEWPOINT C ruise ships are returning to the sea as the industry slowly moves closer to normality. Of course, the industry will not be the same as 2019 – a ‘normal’ year that now seems like a dream – but we will see a new normal emerge that will take us into the future. Although we are all anxiously looking forward to a future that is still full of uncertainties, the cruise sector cannot afford to remain inactive any longer after putting significant human resources and capital at stake to meet the demands of a constantly evolving market. However, it must contend with some critical issues when resuming operations. Many people are still largely isolating themselves – both due to regulatory imposition and fear of the ongoing pandemic. Consequently, they still are unwilling to take public transport unless strictly necessary, particularly for long- distance journeys. In addition, transport services that have been paralysed by the pandemic need a profound and economically sustainable reorganisation. Similarly, there is a need for a technical overhaul of systems and equipment that have been inactive for too long, especially in the aviation sector. Choosing the right route to recovery is a delicate task. Current guidelines advise people against long-distance air travel and related tourism, including staying on busy or remote holiday resorts. Consequently, the only reassuring alternatives are individual trips or proximity cruises that take guests to nearby destinations, reducing the risks and inconvenience of transfers. For now, exotic destinations remain a privilege for By Vittorio Garroni, Garroni Design Cruise operators are anxious to resume services and welcome guests back, but they must overcome several hurdles as they navigate the right route to recovery Back to the future Garroni Design has created a concept cruise ship for Lake Geneva in Switzerland