Genting Cruise Lines (subsidiary of GHK-Genting Hong Kong Ltd) is the first large cruise company to restart voyages via the deployment of Explorer Dream ship to Taiwan. The vessel is scheduled to begin “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries on July 26.
Upon its arrival in Keelung (Taipei, Taiwan) on June 30, 2020, Explorer Dream underwent thorough deep cleaning in accordance with the EU standards, while its crew immediately began their mandatory 14-day quarantine on land.
Upon completion of the quarantine on land, the crew members of Explorer Dream tested COVID-negative based on nucleic acid tests expensed by the cruise line. The crew returned onboard where they will undergo an additional week-long self-health monitoring period to complete their preventive period of 21 days of isolation, before the inaugural voyage of the island-hopping itinerary on July 26.
Before her inaugural sailing, Explorer Dream is expected to participate in an outbreak simulation drill under the guidance of Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. Medical experts from Taiwan Public Health Association will consult on the drill with professional advice on the cruise ship’s prevention and response plans to ensure seamless execution of preventive measures both onboard and onshore.
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, Genting Cruise Lines reviewed its existing prevention and response plans and set newly enhanced and comprehensive measures across the fleet to cover key areas such as stringent health screening procedures and guidelines during embarkation/disembarkation, social distancing measures onboard, enhanced sanitization, disinfection and hygiene practices for passenger cabins and crew quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, as well as safe food and beverage handling procedures.
Genting has worked with the world's largest classification society DNV GL to adapt their health care “Certification in Infection Prevention for the Marine industry. Explorer Dream is the first cruise ship in the world to receive CIP-M certification.
The design of the ship allows for 100% external fresh air to be filtered and supplied to each cabin as well as onboard public areas ensuring a constant flow of fresh air throughout.
A couple of professional doctors, of which one will serve as the new onboard Infection Control Officer, are available in the 24-hour medical center, where real-time RT-PCR diagnostic rapid tests and nasal swab tests are offered. The Medical Centre also has isolation wards with negative room pressure.