Three of its cruise ships will be the first to set sail, following an industry-wide pause in operations since last March. AIDAperla will be the first to depart on August 5, 2020, from Hamburg, followed by AIDAmar from Rostock-Warnemünde on August 12, 2020, and AIDAblu from Kiel on August 16, 2020.
The first cruises will have reduced passenger capacity and will not make any port calls. Passengers will enjoy a diverse onboard vacation program with enhanced service, in addition to the implementation of necessary hygiene protocols and social distancing rules.
Based on the theme “Safely, the most beautiful vacations,” AIDA Cruises has worked with several global and national health authorities to develop a comprehensive health and hygiene protocol to facilitate a safe, healthy, and gradual return to cruise vacations. The company will provide extensive information on the enhanced protocols and procedures it will implement against COVID-19.
From the booking process and embarkation and disembarkation at the port to onboard medical care, AIDA Cruises has introduced preventative measures to complement its existing high standards of health and hygiene. These measures range from a pre-cruise digital health questionnaire and temperature checks before passenger and crew check-in, to physical distancing guidelines and organizational systems for arrival and departure onboard, as well as careful capacity management in areas such as restaurants, bars, theaters, and sports and wellness facilities.
The enhanced protocols are complemented by additional health and safety measures, such as increased disinfection, which is carried out in all cabins and public areas according to a defined protocol, as well as hand sanitizer dispensers at check-in and on board.
Medical care is available 24 hours a day for all passengers and crew. The ships are equipped with PCR testing equipment and diagnostic devices for the immediate assessment of suspected COVID-19 cases, and the onboard medical team is trained in the relevant testing and treatment procedures. In conjunction with the relevant authorities, a procedure has been developed to facilitate medical care, safe disembarkation, and a swift return home should any diagnosed and confirmed cases of COVID-19 occur.
The measures adopted to address suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been developed in consultation with medical experts and are based on current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Germany, as well as other government and health authorities. Furthermore, the testing company SGS Institut Fresenius will verify the implementation of comprehensive cleaning and disinfection standards and COVID-19 prevention measures.
AIDA Cruises is already working intensively on the next steps. Depending on the reopening of more European ports to cruise ships, the first international destinations could be added to the itinerary. In a third phase, a gradual return to the original itinerary will be possible, taking into account the situation in each destination and compliance with the respective international and national health regulations.
