CroisiEurope resumes operations on July 16th after adapting its itineraries to the Spanish market and establishing very important health protocols focused on the safety and enjoyment of its guests.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 52 – June 2020
The cruise company is preparing to resume operations on July 16, after deciding to temporarily and voluntarily suspend its cruises on March 15.
Due to the exceptional situation created by Covid-19 worldwide, the governments of numerous countries implemented drastic measures to ensure the safety of their citizens. CroisiEurope decided to join these efforts, understanding that the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew is its absolute priority and its duty to guarantee them at all times.
During this pause, the company has been deeply involved in the evolution and containment of the pandemic, making two of its ships available to frontline workers in France and providing healthcare workers with safe accommodation near the hospitals where they work. Both the MS Botticelli in Paris and the MS Cyrano de Bergerac in Bordeaux have welcomed these exceptional passengers, and to ensure the success of this cooperation, extraordinary hygiene, disinfection, safety, and social distancing measures have been implemented.
The company has created the role of "Health Commissioner on board" on each of its ships.
Following this period of suspension and in close collaboration with the French healthcare sector aboard two of its ships during the most challenging moments of the pandemic, CroisiEurope has developed a comprehensive protocol to guarantee the health and safety of its customers and crews, allowing it to confidently resume operations on July 16. This protocol may continue to evolve in accordance with government regulations.
The company has created the role of "Onboard Health Commissioner" on each of its ships, appointed by CroisiEurope management, who will ensure that the rules are updated according to the evolution of the pandemic and that best practices are followed on every ship. These rules include temperature checks for everyone boarding the ship, provision of hand sanitizer, masks, and gloves, thorough cleaning of all equipment and exterior and interior surfaces, as well as all spaces for both passengers and crew; implementation of double service at breakfast, lunch, and dinner to allow for social distancing and the replacement of buffets with personalized services; arrangement of common areas to allow for distancing; monitoring of social distancing measures on buses during excursions and the use of headphones, which allow passengers to enjoy the excursion while respecting social distancing; implementation of a one-way traffic flow within the ship to avoid crossing paths; and enhanced hygiene measures for staff; among others.
With these protocols included in its operations and with strict control over their implementation on each ship through the onboard Health Commissioner, the company will reopen its doors to welcome back its passengers on July 16, offering them a variety of itineraries to enjoy their holidays with guarantees.
CroisiEurope has made adjustments to its operations taking into account proximity and safety for the Spanish market, with itineraries in nearby destinations for its river cruises, such as the Duero or the Guadalquivir during the months of July and August:
Andalusia Getaway: A wonderful journey through the heart of Andalusia, immersed in traditions, history, and gastronomy. The company offers a five-day cruise to Seville, Granada, and Cádiz, as well as a four-day option visiting Seville, Córdoba, and Cádiz, aboard the five-anchor MS Belle de Cádiz, with departures starting in August.
CroisiEurope offers destinations geared towards the Spanish market due to their proximity and safety.
The Douro River, a magnificent waterway, offers 6- and 8-day itineraries aboard any of the six four- and five-anchor ships the company has available. These cruises, departing from Porto, are designed to surprise passengers and explore unusual and unconventionally beautiful locations in Portugal and Salamanca. Departures begin in July.
All-inclusive
CroisiEurope river cruises offer all-inclusive packages with full board featuring refined French cuisine, complimentary drinks in the restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi on board. Passengers can enjoy all the comforts on board and also have the option of booking comprehensive excursion packages to visit destinations in the traditional way with the classic option or in a more active way with the active option, such as cycling tours.
Regarding ocean cruises, CroisiEurope has modified its operations, offering on board the MV La Belle des Océans, which used to cruise the St. Lawrence River in Canada, from July to October its itinerary from Nice through the island of Corsica and an itinerary through the Canary Islands starting in October.
The Belle des Océans is a luxurious, compact ship with seven decks, measuring 103 meters in length and 15 meters in beam. Accommodating up to 120 passengers, it offers 60 spacious suites with views, nine of which feature private balconies, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful scenery and landscapes along the itineraries. High-end comfort blends seamlessly with refined elegance, providing thoughtfully designed spaces and personalized services on board. This new CroisiEurope ship offers guests two lounge bars, a restaurant, a poolside bar and restaurant with a grill, a fitness center, a beauty salon with hairdressing and spa services, and laundry facilities. All of this, combined with attentive service from the crew, creates a perfect blend that guarantees the quality of CroisiEurope.
Enjoy getaways to Andalusia on 4 and 5 day cruises.
On the "Grand Tour of Corsica from Nice" cruise, available from July to October, visit Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Porto Vecchio, Bastia, L'Île Rousse, and Nice on an 8-day cruise. This unique itinerary offers a comprehensive look at the fascinating island of Corsica, allowing you to admire the idyllic landscapes of the Calanques de Piana, the ancient and picturesque villages of Balagne, and the unspoiled wilderness of the maquis and the Lavezzi Islands nature reserve.
Canary Islands.
On your Canary Islands cruise, "The Sweetness of an Eternal Spring," visit black sand beaches, lush forests, rugged cliffs, and colonial cities. Departing from Lanzarote and stopping in Gran Canaria, La Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, and Tenerife, this cruise offers the chance to admire unparalleled volcanic landscapes, museums, incredible dunes, and stunningly beautiful National Parks, while also enjoying tastings of delicious local products.
From these dates, CroisiEurope will offer its usual itineraries on European rivers while preparing its new offerings for the 2021 season, which will include new river itineraries on European rivers and exclusive cruises for Spaniards on the Rhine, the Danube or the Loire Castles.
INTERVIEW WITH TOMÁS FERNÁNDEZ, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR OF CROISIEUROPE IN SPAIN AND LATIN AMERICA
Why have you decided to offer so many cruises in Spain and Portugal this year?
CroisiEurope already had a selection of cruises in Spain and Portugal, but we've refocused them more on the Spanish market, which typically doesn't travel within Spain but prefers to travel abroad. We've adapted our existing offerings to the current crisis, which involves travel restrictions, by creating 4- or 5-day cruises along the Guadalquivir River with prices adjusted to the current circumstances and safety and hygiene measures fully adapted to the current situation. Another important decision we've made is to bring the Belle des Océans, which was operating in Canada, to the Canary Islands and offer its itinerary to Spaniards and other Europeans visiting these islands, which are currently considered a safe destination.
When do you expect to return to normal operations in Europe and the rest of the world?
We have requests for cruises starting July 15th, not so much from Spanish clients, who are tentatively beginning to want to book, but from European clients. CroisiEurope sells in 44 different markets, and countries like Finland, Denmark, and Germany are not as severely affected by COVID-19 and are beginning to resume their activities normally. I can't confirm a specific date, as each country is progressing at a different pace, but we see that interest in travel is returning.
Have you maintained contact with Spanish travel agents? How have bookings been? Have you noticed a difference since the summer tourism reopening was announced?
We haven't stopped operating; the entire team has been working to support agencies, although there has been little activity. In Spain, there hasn't been much difference in river cruise bookings since the tourism reopening was announced, but it's still early days. I'm convinced that little by little, and tentatively at first, we'll gain momentum, and this is one of the reasons why we announced the resumption of our operations on July 15th.
Do you think this is ultimately an opportunity for Spaniards to discover river cruises?
Yes, it's a great opportunity to rediscover river cruises, a largely forgotten vacation option. Since the start of this crisis, we've strengthened our operations in Europe and near Spain, with cruises to Corsica and the Canary Islands, so that Spaniards can experience this type of travel within the domestic market and discover the great advantages of this kind of vacation, including summer cruises, December bank holidays, and New Year's cruises on the Guadalquivir River. From here, they can discover the many benefits of river cruising.
Compared to ocean cruises, river cruises have advantages in this regard, as they are smaller vessels, with a maximum capacity of 150 passengers, and often include walking excursions, smaller group sizes, and stops in city centers. Maintaining social distancing on river cruises is easier thanks to adaptations such as staggered meal times and the trend among river cruise lines to offer premium cruises with more space and fewer passengers.
