Costa Cruises will perform Covid-19 swab tests on all passengers from the first ship returning to service on September 6 from Trieste and all others as they resume sailing.
The quick antigenic test will identify any suspicious cases that may be subjected to a PCR test for further check, “thus determining the possibility of embarkation”.
The Italian company is also offering passengers the option of subscribing to a dedicated insurance, with specific services in case of need.
Swab tests will be carried out within wider pre-boarding procedures defined according to the protocols of local health authorities.
Costa Deliziosa will sail every Sunday until September 27 with Italian passengers only to Bari, Brindisi, Corigliano-Rossano, Siracusa and Catania.
Costa Diadema will follow on September 19 with a seven-day western Mediterranean cruise from Genoa to Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo, Cagliari and La Spezia.
Costa has gained biosafety trust certification as it works towards the limited resumption of sailings from Italy next month.
The Carnival Corporation brand claims to be first cruise company to earn the recognition from RINA, a long-established Italian testing, inspection, certification and ship classification company that developed the innovative management system certification scheme.
The certification process, carried out through audits, examines all aspects of life on board and ashore – from the embarkation procedures to hotel services, catering, fitness, relaxation areas and shore excursions.
It assesses the compliance of systems with the scheme procedures aimed at the prevention and control of infections.
Specific training modules for crews have been created to obtain certification from RINA in compliance with new health protocols and associated onboard management systems implemented by Costa.
The training reinforces strict procedures in place on board the company’s ships, in cruise terminals and during shore excursions as part of a Costa safety protocol developed with scientific support of independent experts, in response to Covid-19.