AmaWaterways’ co-founder has confirmed which onboard Covid measures remain as the luxury river line starts its 2022 European season.
Kristin Karst said the line’s Covid protocol was still in place because it made passengers “feel safer” and to create “a very safe environment” onboard, passengers had to be double vaccinated.
Passengers must present a negative PCR test at embarkation, but she added that this requirement would only be in place for AmaWaterways’ first three cruises of the season.
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Masks must be worn when moving around the ship, but can be removed when sitting down, said Karst, who added passengers felt comfortable wearing face coverings when dancing on board.
She told a Travel Weekly webcast: “I would think when it comes to April or May, the restrictions are being lifted.
“When there are no more Covid cases maybe we can also think about lifting our [onboard] protocol, but right now everything is in place.”
However, Karst said assigned seating for meals had been removed. “So, we allow guests to mingle during the dinners,” she explained.
The line had removed the need for passengers to queue for the onboard buffet following feedback. Instead, dishes they ordered would be brought to their table, Karst said.
“Nobody really wants to get up, go to a buffet and be in line,” she said. “People who love the buffet like the variety but we have such a huge variety coming to the table.”
On shore excursions, Karst said she “often” saw between eight and 10 passengers on land-based trips – even though capacity went up to 20 people.
“[It’s] a very nice, comfortable number,” added Karst. “You can listen to the guide and be in distance from everyone else.
“I really would say there is no problem when it comes to social distancing at all. We all know it can become a problem with the airline experience when you have to go into a bus into the terminal, but not here on our ships and not on the shore excursions.”
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