Hapag-Lloyd: routes and protocols for resuming cruises
Beginning at the end of July, Hapag Lloyd Cruises will resume cruises with 40% less passengers on board with respect to the standard capacity levels as well as new routes adapting to port openings and health regulations. Eight new short cruises have already been scheduled and will begin and end in Hamburg, initially only for residents of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
At least initially, the ships which are scheduled to be used are the Europa 2 and the Hanseatic, which will host at the most between 150-300 guests. The concept of prevention and safety of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be based on the new Clia Germania guidelines in collaboration with various experts in the sector. The most important measures are summarized in a 10 point plan, which will create cruises which are safe and comfortable onboard and that will satisfy the very highest standards of hygiene. The 10 point plan can be viewed by clicking on the following link → www.hl-cruises.com/travel-safely
“We have prepared extraordinary measures in preparation for this relaunch as we face a new travel reality with significantly stricter standards for prevention and hygiene. We took our time because the safety of our guests and crew and the trust of the German port authorities are both very important to us,” declared Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “For the relaunch, in agreement with the German authorities, we have agreed to initially welcome on board only guests who reside in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. During the next phase, we will evaluate whether we can allow guests residing in other countries to travel with us, based on the development of the infection rate in those countries.”
europa_2
Europa2_
The non-German speaking component among regular Hapag Lloyd Cruises’ guests is already very small, and so in reality this is a return to a fairly normal operation by the luxury cruise company.
“Our relaunch will be done in a controlled way and we are going above and beyond the requirements established by the authorities. Between one cruise and another we have intentionally left a full day without guests for a general cleaning and disinfection of the entire ship. Our objective is to make our guests’ time on board safe, worry-free and pleasant while following the necessary rules with regards to maintaining social distancing and providing personal and individual services. Our small ships offer ideal conditions for this,” says Pojer.
Included in the 10 points prepared by Hapag Lloyd for health and safety on board are: self-certifications for health, staggered boarding access, doctors prepared to handle emergencies, deep sanitation systems with vapor. The new standards will be perfectly integrated into life on board, so that guests’ enjoyment is not compromised. The 1:1 crew-to-passenger ratio, which distinguishes Hapag Lloyd‘s cruises, means individual and personalized service. The number of places available in the restaurants will be reduced and the opening hours will be extended. There will be no self-service in restaurants, buffets or bars. All meals can also be served in the cabins, with room service available 24 hours a day.
Therefore, the new program guarantees the safety of the passengers and includes a series of departures that make Hapag Lloyd one of the first companies to restart cruising, with new conditions and new routes.
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