Ponant Cruises aims to resume operations off the French coast next July, while announcing new protocols to complement the company's existing health and hygiene measures. These include measures for passengers, crew members, and cargo boarding the ships, as well as enhanced onboard safety protocols, the company said in a press release.
Ponant is also the only expedition cruise company that has the Safeguard Status certificate from Bureau Veritas, a label that certifies the effectiveness of the implemented health protocols.
The health measures developed by the French-flagged cruise company, in addition to the strict cleaning procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the implementation of social distancing measures, and enhanced employee training, include other pre-boarding, onboard, and excursion measures:
Before boarding, all passengers and crew members must present a medical certificate, complete a health questionnaire, and undergo a medical check by the ship's medical staff. In addition, all luggage will be disinfected with nebulizers or ultraviolet light, and surgical and cloth masks, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer will be provided to passengers.
On board, all cabins will have fresh air provided by non-recirculating air conditioning systems, and in public areas, the air will be renewed at least five times per hour. Restaurants have been redesigned and will only offer contactless à la carte options. In addition, public spaces, such as the gym and theater, will be limited to 50% capacity. High-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and handrails, will be disinfected every hour with hydrogen peroxide, which eliminates 100% of germs and bacteria.
Crew members will wear face masks or coverings whenever they are in contact with passengers. Passengers will be required to wear face masks in the corridors and their use will be recommended in public areas.
Thanks to investments made by the company in recent years, Ponant boasts the most comprehensive and renowned onboard medical centers in the cruise industry. Each ship is equipped with advanced medical equipment, including laboratories that can test for infectious and tropical diseases. The entire fleet features advanced diagnostic equipment, ultrasound, radiology, and blood analysis, as well as a doctor and nurse on board every voyage. As an additional precaution, all ships will have five spare cabins available should passengers need to be isolated.
When shore excursions are carried out, the Zodiacs will be fully disinfected after each stop and after the shore excursions, passengers will be able to re-embark after undergoing a temperature check and disinfection of their personal belongings.
Ponant is collaborating with the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire / Méditerranée Infection of Marseilles, one of the world's leading centers in the field of infectious diseases, as well as with the Bataillon Marins Pompier de Marseille.
