Genting Cruise Lines has announced the restart of cruise operations
for Dream Cruises, with Explorer Dream operating two- and three-night
Taiwan Island-Hopping itineraries beginning from 26 July 2020.
Explorer Dream will be the first cruise ship in the world to receive the CIP-M certification, which will further verify the procedures and systems in place for the proper prevention, control, and mitigation of infection, to protect her passengers and crew
Departing from Keelung, Dream Cruises will offer special
island-hopping cruises calling into the popular ports and islands of
Peng Hu, Matsu Island and Kinmen where Taiwanese guests will again be
able to enjoy refreshing short getaways on carefree ocean voyages.
“After months of detailed planning with the authorities to ensure the
safety and health of guests and crew, we appreciate the approval of
Explorer Dream resuming cruise operations in Taiwan. Dream Cruises will
be the first cruise line in the world to begin sailing after the global
cruise industry was shut down due to the pandemic,” said Tan Sri KT Lim,
chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong.
Taiwan is the "ideal destination" for Genting Cruise Lines to resume
Dream Cruises’ operations, owing to the company’s 25 years of history
operating in the island as well as the destination's popularity among
travellers due to its scenic splendours and friendly citizens.
The cruise line said resuming cruises in Taiwan will also lend
support to the local authorities in reviving their economy and opening
up tourism, following the island's success in controlling the pandemic
within its borders.
“This is truly a remarkable achievement which was made possible by
the Taiwan authorities’ swift and effective handling of the Covid-19
crisis and their foresight in resuming the tourism industry to benefit
all the ports, the economy and the lifestyle of the people of Taiwan,”
said Kent Zhu, president of Genting Cruise Line.
During the shutdown, Genting Cruise Lines completely re-examined and
enhanced all of its health, hygiene and operating protocols to ensure
the safest environment for everyone on board including social distancing
in dining, entertainment and public areas, 100% fresh air ventilation
in staterooms and operations throughout the ship.
Genting Cruise Lines has also worked with DNV GL, the largest
classification society in the world, to adapt their hospital
“Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP) for the Marine industry
(CIP-M)”. Explorer Dream will be the first cruise ship in the world to
receive the CIP-M certification, which will further verify the
procedures and systems in place for the proper prevention, control, and
mitigation of infection, to protect her passengers and crew.
In accordance with Taiwan’s regulations prior to resuming sailing,
Explorer Dream has undergone a thorough deep cleaning and observation of
strict quarantine procedures for her crew. The majority of crew will be
from other Genting Cruise Lines ships who have been quarantined for the
last three months and all will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on
land after the ship arrives in Keelung on 30 June.
Upon negative nucleic acid test results, an additional seven-day
isolation period on board Explorer Dream will provide a total of 21 days
of exhaustive preventive procedures before operations begin on 26 July.
To safeguard the well-being of guests, stringent health screening
processes and guidelines prior to embarkation, disembarkation and social
distancing measures on board, as well as thorough sanitisation and
disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew
member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, along with
safe food and beverage handling procedures will be in place.
For example, all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100%
external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each passenger cabin
as well as on board public areas ensuring a constant and healthy flow of
fresh air throughout the vessels. Isolation wards are available in the
Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if
required.
Two of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships, SuperStar Aquarius and SuperStar
Gemini, are currently in Singapore as temporary accommodations for
foreign workers after successfully completing careful assessment checks.
Through the successful initiative in collaboration with the Singapore
authorities, the company has been able to further refine its standard
operating procedures within a real-world context to ensure that all its
Genting Cruise Lines’ ships, including Explorer Dream, will be the
safest cruise ships for guests in the post-Covid era.