Azamara will introduce a number of new health and safety measures on its ships as it prepares to resume operations in August.

The line is planning to run five back-to-back Country Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing, each seven days in length, on Azamara Quest, from 28 August.

These sailings will now feature the new Explore Well at Sea programme.

As part of this, all guests will be need to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing, in addition to providing a negative test result. Once aboard, complimentary Covid-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.

New air filtration systems have been installed on all Azamara ships. The system takes in fresh sea air and moves it through a two-stage filter to eliminate 99.99 per cent of germs, according to the line.

Azamara added that “every nook of the ships, from bow to stern, will be regularly cleaned and sanitised”, as part of an advanced cleaning regime, while an enhanced medical facility will also be available on every ship.

This facility will include a dedicated infectious control officer and new isolation staterooms.

Azamara president Carol Cabezas said: “Since we suspended our sailings over a year ago, we’ve had time to develop a strong restart plan and build on our existing health and safety protocols to ensure peace of mind for guests and crew, especially when it comes to traveling within our new world.

“Cruising is one of the safest places to travel, which is attributed to all the enhanced protocols set in place, and we are extremely fortunate to be guided by the Healthy Sail Panel for a healthy return to service in Greece beginning on 28 August, with five back-to-back Country-Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing.”

Azamara said it will evaluate protocols and update them as public health standards and the global situation evolves. Guests and travel partners will be advised of the latest requirements prior to departure.