New cruise line Virgin Voyages has unveiled its health plan for debut ship Scarlet Lady.
The launch of the ship has been pushed back to October amid the coronavirus crisis, and it will now debut with a reduced capacity to allow for social distancing as well as “virus-neutralizing air filters”, virtual queues, thermal monitoring cameras and regular virus testing for its crew.
The Voyage Well plan was created by the Voyage Well Expert Advisory Group, a partnership of advisors, scientists, doctors and clinicians from the likes of AtmosAir Solutions, EcoLab, Dr. Heymann with Vikand, Global Public Health Services and was compiled in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.
“The health and wellbeing of our Sailors is our number one priority, so we rolled up our sleeves with leading experts to further innovate and create an even healthier way to travel and still have an incredible vacation,” said Virgin Voyages chief executive Tom McAlpin. “We appreciate some people will be apprehensive about traveling, so we are committed to being led by science and creating ways to give people confidence to explore the world while feeling safer, more relaxed and free to enjoy themselves.”
A system has been designed to pump fresh air through the ship’s public spaces and cabins to “effectively remove recirculated air”, which Virgin Voyages says will produce “100% fresh air” through a “bow to stern air purification system”.
“Delivering effective health and safety measures is going to be essential for ensuring consumer trust in the cruise industry,” says Steve Levine, president and chief executive of AtmosAir Solutions. “We’re proud to partner with Virgin Voyages and believe our bi-polar ionization technology will be crucial to creating a safe, clean and sanitized indoor environment throughout the entirety of the Scarlet Lady.”
Other health plans developed by Virgin Voyages include:
- Rapid Covid-19 testing for all ‘Sailors’ [passengers] and crew prior to embarking
- A post-voyage app-based notification process through which passengers and crew can report on becoming unwell within 14 days of leaving the ship
- Pre-boarding health checks and screenings for crew and ‘Sailors’
- Thermal camera technology to monitor our crew and ‘Sailors’’ temperatures
- Implementing best practices around sanitation, physical distancing, limited occupancy, and health checks on board
- Managing ship occupancy to allow physical distancing in public spaces
- Using digital technology to limit contact; The Band (for contactless payment), Service Chat (for assistance digitally) and Virtual Queues (for getting in lines for onboard experiences without getting in physical lines)
The line has also introduced a ‘fair and flexible’ booking policy, which includes moving the final payment dates to 60 days, from 120 days, before sailing, and allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours before in return for a 100% Future Voyage Credit for sailings through December 16, 2020.