Carnival Cruise Line apologizes for having early information about the health and safety protocols expected to be put in place when they resume sailings.
What guests can expect
On Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line posted on their webpage what a spokesperson described as disclosure information required as part of the Centers for Disease Control’s Conditional Sail Order.
At the time, the representative said, “This disclosure information includes core elements of our return to service plan, which will continue to evolve once we receive additional guidance from the CDC. Once we have a final plan, we will update our website and communicate directly with booked guests and travel agents. “
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Now Carnival tells Cruise Radio, “In our rush to keep guests and travel agents informed, we posted information that was not yet finalized. As we’ve said before, guests should expect [mask-wearing], testing, dissociating and other protocols. We plan to provide more details in the coming weeks as we resume our activities. “
What had people talking
Almost immediately, the Internet started buzzing regarding some of the information in the original disclosure. In particular, attention was given to a section discussing restricting access to public areas, locations and activities. Without going into detail, the document spoke of reduced capacity spaces and the possibility of introducing a reservation system for a wide variety of areas and activities, including swimming pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars and entertainment productions. “
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None of this is particularly new for those who have followed the protocol discussions closely. For example, the Healthy Sail Panel – founded by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings – has addressed these potentially problematic areas. “Capacity reductions,” the report said, “should also be applied to all ship and terminal locations (eg, restaurants, shops, casinos, lounges, fitness centers) as well as transportation vehicles and shore excursions, to allow for appropriate distance practices. “
While neither the Health Sail Panel, nor any similar plans specifically put forward, spoke specifically of a reservation system, it stands to reason that cruise lines should have something that allows them to both control capacity and provide equal access for all guests.
As questions poured in on Carnival’s brand ambassador’s Facebook page about the protocols, he thanked people for their patience as the company works to finalize the protocols. “I know it’s not easy to ask, but I do it sincerely,” he wrote. “We will share the news and then see what we can do as a company to help you the best we can.”