NOW’S THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

I am sure that, like me, you have been following with much interest the updates from different cruise companies and the current situation around the COVID-19 virus. There is much to understand.

The health and safety of cruise passengers and crew remains the number one priority on board any ship. There are enhanced protocols for ocean-going guests and crew with the evolving nature of the ongoing COVID-19 virus, based upon guidance from the World Health Organization since early February.

By the time passengers and crew have reached a cruise ship, they have in many cases gone through multiple screenings, especially those travelling to meet their ships via plane. The cruise industry is one of the most experienced and well equipped for managing and monitoring health concerns and conditions for those on board, with outbreak prevention and response measures in place all year-round. Ships must be fitted with on-board medical facilities, with shipboard medical professionals available around the clock, to provide medical care in the event of illness and prevent disease transmission.

Now is the time to start to plan your next adventure. We have seen much growth in river cruising and adventure cruise options. There are many more unique options, where luxury is constantly being reset in terms of expectations. In my job I get to see the new-look ships and itineraries and what the cruise companies have planned in the next few years. It is very exciting, with more personalised itineraries and out-of-the-way destinations planned for guests who either want to experience that sense of adventure or just simply sit back and watch the world float by. Menus offering local ingredients from ports you visit along the way, with matching local wines and a wider range of dining options, are constantly being developed. This is all before you set foot onto your destination to explore. Sometimes a cruise is, quite simply, the best way to see the world.