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Genting Cruise Lines – a division of Genting Hong Kong comprising of three distinct cruise brands: Star Cruises; Dream Cruises; and Crystal Cruises – has boosted its precautionary measures to safeguard the health and well-being of all guests and crew. Here is what they have chalked out. By Bayar Jain
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When the virus first started spreading its arms across the world to turn into the pandemic that it has become today, the British-registered Diamond Princess was the first oversees carrier to have come in its clutches. Genting Cruise Lines, however, took this as a red sign and prepared to give its guests a safe and luxurious affair once they can take to the seas.
To do this, the Hong Kong-based cruise-liner has outlined detailed preventive measures in each of its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises ships. These include stringent health screening processes and protocols prior to embarkation and disembarkation, thorough sanitisation and disinfection, and enhanced hygiene practices on all spaces of the ships. Moreover, food and beverage safety has also been reasserted with an equal weightage given to crew members’ healths as well.
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In a press release, Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Line says, “All of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100 per cent external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin, as well as onboard public areas. Besides that, isolated wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.”
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However, to prevent the occurrence of compulsory quarantining, guests will mandatorily make to undergo temperature screening during embarking and disembarking, as well as undertake pre-boarding health declarations. Infrared fever screening system at the ship gangway; stringent checks for all embarking individuals including crew travel documents; online check-in to minimise crowd congestion; staggered time waiting for areas for cruise boarding; and compulsory doctor’s certificate of fitness for travel for guests aged over 70 are some of the measures introduced.
With regards to the guest accommodations on board, hospital-grade disinfectants will be used at higher frequencies and guest cabins will be wiped down twice a day. Food spoilage and prevention of bacteria cultivation will be ensured by timely removal of food waste, while heavy-duty alkaline bathroom disinfectants would be used for enhanced cleanliness. Keeping in mind the higher probabilities of seasickness, thorough cleaning and disinfection with hospital grade disinfectant and fogging of the cabin will take place should any guest feel nauseous.
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Apart from the multiple cleaning and sanitisation works which will be introduced across various areas of the ships, isolated wards will also be available in the Medical Centre. All medical waste and contaminated items will be properly sealed, but they will also be disposed of according to health and safety guidelines. All medical equipment and waste bins, too, will be cleaned and disinfected twice daily.
For Genting, however, ensuring safety extends beyond their cruises. They have even extended support and provided temporarily onboard accommodations on SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Aquarius – two of their cruise ships – for foreign workers in Singapore who have recovered from the virus.
Related: This Is How You Can Disinfect Your Airplane Seat And Travel Safely
