On September 6th, Costa Cruises resumed sailing after a lengthy planning phase to implement safety protocols and conduct thorough health and hygiene studies in coordination with the Italian government. We will examine in detail what life on board is like post-Covid-19, specifically regarding the new Safety Protocols.
Article from CruisesNews magazine no. 54 – October 2020
To resume sailing, Costa Cruises has created new safety protocols in collaboration with independent scientific experts specializing in public health, along with VIHTALI (Value in Health Technology and Academy for Leadership and Innovation), part of the Catholic University of Rome. The project adheres to national and international guidelines, with additional modifications by the cruise line to ensure that further safety measures and precautions are in place.
The protocol includes a series of comprehensive systems and procedures that cover all aspects of the cruise, from crew health and safety and passenger check-in process, to onboard life and shore excursions.
Costa Cruises has arranged pre-departure diagnostic testing for all crew members in their home country, including two PCR tests for Covid-19. Upon arrival in Italy, crew members are required to undergo a third test, and only those who test negative will be allowed to board. They will then be required to quarantine for two weeks. While on board, crew members' health will be constantly monitored through daily temperature checks and monthly PCR tests.
The health services offered on board have been expanded and are now free for those who develop flu-like symptoms or require further examinations or tests. The air conditioning system has been upgraded to prevent air recirculation and has been modified for improved hygiene. Cleaning and disinfection of all areas is now more thorough and frequent.
Check-in and Boarding:
Special attention has been paid to the passenger boarding process to avoid crowding at all times, both in the terminals and at the port. From now on, all passengers must check in online before arrival and complete a declaration stating that they do not have flu-like symptoms or other health problems. The online check-in procedure assigns each passenger a specific boarding time, which should be respected whenever possible to prevent overcrowding.
On board, the atmosphere is relaxed and quite normal, with almost all the usual services working and without limitations, annoying or complex rules.
During the boarding process, luggage is checked and documents are verified. A COVID-19 swab test is administered, with results available after approximately one hour. Boarding is only permitted after completing this procedure.
All cabins undergo a complete disinfection process, which is subsequently certified, and a special label is placed on each cabin door. Inside each cabin, passengers will find face masks and basic instructions to follow during the cruise, all in accordance with the new protocol.
To avoid crowding, on embarkation day it is possible to participate in individual emergency drills, going with the life jacket to the assembly point at any time, to quickly complete this procedure with the onboard staff.
Life on board
hasn't changed radically despite the new safety protocols. Onboard, the atmosphere is relaxed and quite normal, with almost all the usual services operating without limitations or cumbersome or complex rules. The onboard staff are ready and available to assist passengers with anything they need. Face masks are now mandatory in all common areas and in any space where it's not possible to maintain a distance of at least one meter from other people. However, since we've become accustomed to wearing masks in recent months, this no longer poses a significant limitation. Masks are not required when sitting at the bar, in a restaurant, on sun loungers, or in the outdoor deck areas, as long as a distance of one meter is maintained from other people.
The sea, the sunsets, the good food, the extraordinary ships, are still there to provide us with the wonderful experience we are looking for.
On a ship like the Costa Deliziosa, elevators normally have a capacity of 18 people, but are now limited to a total of 4. In certain areas, such as the restaurants, a one-way flow of entry and exit has been established. Several stations have also been set up on board where passengers can voluntarily have their temperature checked.
As a precaution, all passenger movements must be recorded during their stays in restaurants, bars, or the theater. This is done by scanning the card given to all guests upon arrival. In smaller spaces, signs have been posted indicating the maximum capacity and the total number of people allowed inside. The same applies to restrooms, the whirlpool (maximum 1 person or a family group of up to 7 people), and the swimming pools.
Shows and Entertainment:
Onboard entertainment has undergone some changes, but not drastically. The entertainment team, as before, continues to organize various games, contests, and sports activities. The only difference is that contact between participants is now avoided, as are games requiring close proximity and contact sports (tennis is permitted, for example). The engaging entertainment team offers new and fun games in the evenings in the central Lido area, which is quite spacious and well-ventilated.
The nightclub is temporarily closed; however, dance areas with live music can be found in other parts of the ship. The casino is operating normally, without restrictions, including the table games, slot machines, and children's play area. The Teen Club and Squok Club are also operating as usual, with the necessary safety measures in place. No gala nights or cocktail events are planned for these initial cruises to avoid large gatherings. However, it is still possible to get a special souvenir photo and participate in the dedicated Costa Club evening.
The theater seating has been rearranged to allow for social distancing. Currently, there is no dance troupe on board due to the unavoidable contact they would have with each other during their performance. The lineup includes solo singers, acrobats, and illusionists.
Dining and Bars:
Printed menus and buffets have been eliminated in onboard restaurants for health and safety reasons. Each table in the bars and restaurants has a QR code that can be scanned with a mobile phone using the free Wi-Fi to view the full food and drink menus. Indoor bar service is available for both takeaway and table service, while outdoor service is takeaway only. Staff will not touch your cruise card; instead, it will be scanned to record your expenses.
Costa Cruises has worked intensively to organize several excursions in the ports of call and also to guarantee the highest safety standards for passengers.
In the main restaurants, the tables are spaced further apart, and there are no longer two set dinner times, but rather a longer, more flexible dining period. Each guest's cruise card indicates a dinner time that must be adhered to, although some flexibility is allowed.
The number of items on the tables has been reduced, and only after diners are seated do staff place napkins, cutlery, and glasses. All dishes are served at the table to avoid lines and, of course, any contact with other people's food. The buffet lines are used to prepare quick dishes upon request. At breakfast, sweet and savory dishes are brought directly to the table (no more waiting for food!). Some additional dishes are available upon request, always free of charge, such as various egg dishes. The same service is provided for snacks between meals, which offer a selection of sweet and savory treats served directly by the staff.
Photography and Shops:
The shops and photography services are open and available. In the photo shop, staff will search for the photos you need, as searching on your own is not permitted at the tills. However, the photos are on display and can be touched after sanitizing your hands and with staff assistance. To make the search easier and faster, with the customer's consent, the cabin number is recorded at the time the photo is taken so that all photos of the same passenger can be collected and placed in a single folder. On The Shades, it is possible to hire a personal photographer for a professional photo session on board.
All shops are open as usual, with a limited number of people allowed inside at any one time. With the help of staff, you can try on perfumes and clothing, which will then be steam cleaned. You can also request that clothing be brought directly to your cabin for trying on.
A "Shopping Concierge" service has been launched, allowing you to order items and products for delivery to the shop or directly to your cabin. Scanning the QR code with your mobile phone will display the online product catalog.
Reception and other offices:
In-person reception and excursion information services have been suspended to avoid queues and contact with other passengers. These services have now been replaced by telephone. The switchboard has been expanded, and calls are answered almost immediately. If necessary, you can visit reception in person, but only by appointment, to handle matters such as collecting documents or resolving other issues requiring physical presence.
The Costa Cruises app and onboard information points allow you to make payments, view account statements, book excursions, and see Costa Club discounts. Credit card registration has been automated for some time.
For health and safety reasons, paper documents are no longer left in cabins. However, all information can be accessed via the app, on the screens on board, or by phone by speaking with the Reception staff.
Gym and Spa:
Both the gym and spa are open and ready for guests to use. The gym is operational, except for some exercise machines (such as treadmills and stationary bikes). Some have been cordoned off or removed to allow for social distancing. Guests are required to wash their hands and clean the machines after each use. The outdoor sports area is open for individual use and recreational games, provided social distancing rules can be observed.
The spa has had to temporarily close its thalassotherapy area, sauna, and Turkish bath. Fortunately, all spa treatments, such as massages and other therapeutic treatments, are still available. A number of new "hands-free" treatments have been developed that do not involve the therapists using their hands directly.
Excursions:
What has changed most on cruises is undoubtedly the excursions and departures from the ship in the various ports of call, where we now encounter limitations. Current regulations do not allow excursions organized independently in the different ports of call. Only excursions organized directly by the cruise line are permitted. The prices are surprisingly affordable, with a rate of just €99 for five excursions.
Costa Cruises has worked diligently to organize various excursions in ports of call and to ensure the highest safety standards for passengers. All guests participating in excursions must wear a mask throughout the entire excursion, must not separate from the group, must avoid contact with people outside the group, and must avoid entering shops or areas not previously authorized by the company to guarantee compliance with strict health protocols.
All tour guides and bus drivers must undergo testing on the morning of the excursion to ensure maximum safety, and all vehicles will be disinfected before and after use. Social distancing during all excursions is facilitated by reducing bus capacity by 50% (maximum 25 people) and restricting the number of participants in each group, as well as by using headsets to listen to the guide while maintaining distance from other participants. Passengers' temperatures are taken upon disembarking and embarking, and they are provided with hand sanitizer.
In general terms, the safety protocols created by Costa Cruises represent a commitment designed to guarantee protection, health, and safety, while also allowing guests to fully enjoy their cruise and vacation. A great deal of effort is required from both the shore and onboard crews so that passengers can continue to enjoy their trip with minimal disruption. For some months now, the use of face masks and hand sanitizer has become commonplace, so continuing to use these same measures onboard is not perceived as an obligation. The sea, the sunsets, the delicious food, and the extraordinary ships are still there to provide us with the wonderful experience we are looking for.
It's definitely worth going back to sailing and enjoying incredible cruises in a truly magical setting at sea. By booking a cruise, you'll also be helping the cruise industry resume normal operations and get back on its feet after such a difficult time. And if, for the moment, we can't take our own excursions in the various ports of call, we can always take advantage of the excursions organized by the cruise line at such an affordable price. What's more, we'll find ships half empty with plenty of space to maintain social distancing while enjoying the sunshine, delicious food, the spa, relaxing moments by the pool, and everything else these magnificent ships have to offer.
