Uniworld has announced a series of health and safety protocols to ensure it is ready to begin operations when restrictions on travel are lifted.
“The world is changed and as we start to welcome guests just beginning to step back into travel, we want them to know that we understand and are anticipating their concern and taking careful and deliberate steps to protect their safety, health and wellbeing – which will come in the form of a broad smile instead of a handshake.”
The new measures include health screenings prior to embarkation, the removal of self-service food items and capping capacity on excursion group sizes.
In a statement released, the line said the extensive review had led to “consideration of every touch point and interaction between crew and guest”.
The new measures include:
- All guests must complete health screening prior to embarkation
- Fruits, cookies, crisps, nuts, and other treats will be served to guests by crew. These will no longer available for self-service
- Disinfecting wipes will be available throughout the ship, including at coffee stations and in the public restrooms
- Any onboard payments will be processed using a contactless payment method and credit card machines will be wiped after each pin entry
- All restaurant dining will have reserved seating, with guests seated at the same table, with the same people, each day
- Items that are usually shared, like bread and butter, will now be served to each person individually
- Gloves, face masks and bottles of hand sanitizer will be readily available for all guests
- For excursions, the maximum occupancy per bus will be adjusted to reduce the total number of people together at one time
Bettridge, who is president and chief executive of Uniworld, said: “At uniworld, the health and wellbeing of our guests and our crew are paramount. As we prepare to join the world community in reopening our homes, businesses, ships and lives to one another, we have carefully reviewed protocols and procedures to ensure that the touch points between the people we care about the most are managed with intention, respect and utmost care.
“We have been scrupulous in our process to consider every moment that may present an unnecessary concern and that’s why all coffee table books, magazines and brochures for example, have been removed from public use. Instead, guests will be able to access these reading materials via our complimentary PressReader app on their personal devices.
“The world is changed and as we start to welcome guests just beginning to step back into travel, we want them to know that we understand and are anticipating their concern and taking careful and deliberate steps to protect their safety, health and wellbeing – which will come in the form of a broad smile instead of a handshake.”
Speaking to Travel Weekly editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley during a Clia river cruise webinar last week, Bettridge said she was communicating with her teams regularly about return plans.
During the interview she said she envisaged a gradual reintroduction of ships, starting with those operating in single countries.