Cruise line executives indicate that some COVID-19 protocols on ships may remain permanent

Many of the COVID-19 protocols currently implemented on cruise ships could become a lasting part of operations, as stated by cruise line executives at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference on Monday.

"Yes, many of these measures are likely to be permanent," said Gina Dunnett, director of land program development for Azamara, during a panel discussion on how the pandemic is reshaping shore excursions at the Miami Beach event. "I believe people will simply get used to them."

This implies that safety measures such as thorough cleaning, air filtration, hand hygiene, and sanitization may continue to be enforced long after the peaks in coronavirus cases subside.

However, many of these measures have been implemented for years, as noted by one panelist.

"I believe many of the protocols we have—such as providing hand sanitizers and encouraging handwashing—have always been part of our practices," stated Jeannette Coto Dou, vice president of onboard revenue for Celebrity Cruises. "While the rest of the world may have had to adopt these measures, they were always crucial for ensuring the safety of our guests. Maintaining high standards has always been vital for us, and I think some of the current protocols were already in place; perhaps we’re just communicating them more effectively now."

What about some of the larger, more stringent mandates, like mask-wearing?

"Masks ... may be among the first measures to be lifted," Dunnett remarked. "...I believe that the requirements for physical distancing will be adjusted to a shorter range, but ... none of us can predict the future."

The industry has already observed a relaxation of social distancing on certain ships, including indoors, while mask mandates have varied by cruise line, with recent tightening of restrictions following the delta variant's impact, prompting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to update its recommendations to suggest even vaccinated individuals wear masks indoors.

Some cruise lines have started to eliminate capacity limits on their ships. The first vessels to restart operations did so at about 25% capacity, but many lines have since increased that figure. Additionally, crew-served buffets are expected to be reevaluated over time, with some lines—like Carnival—never having introduced them in the first place.

While vaccination proof was not a focal point of discussion, panelists indicated that one of the major challenges they face is finding effective ways to ensure passenger safety.

"This involves constant daily monitoring of conditions in various destinations worldwide to ensure we provide a safe experience onshore, just as we aim to do onboard," stated Dunnett, responsible for Azamara's AzAmazing Evenings—immersive excursions that take guests to captivating local performances. The line is currently adjusting that offering and permitting cruisers to book some of its most popular excursions as private tours to minimize exposure to larger groups.

In discussing various challenges within the excursion landscape, panelists emphasized the significance of collaboration among cruise lines, ports, and shore excursion operators, especially in ports that mandate bubble excursions—a protocol many passengers would prefer to abandon.

Niamh McCarthy, managing director of Excursions Ireland—the exclusive shore excursion aggregator for cruises calling on Belfast, Northern Ireland—stated that keeping up with the rapidly changing regulations at each port has been challenging. "We're not just looking at weekly changes; it's a day-by-day situation," she noted. "We are in constant communication with coach operators, guides, and venues. What was a bubble tour yesterday may become independent today. It’s quite a challenge," she explained.

Coto Dou concurred, noting that Celebrity currently operates in several destinations where passengers are not permitted to leave the ship unless they have booked ship-sponsored excursions. The key, she explained, is for cruise lines to manage passenger expectations by providing as much information as possible early in the cruise planning process. She acknowledged that passengers need to remain flexible, as situations can change unexpectedly. "We've all developed a level of patience," she added.