Asian cruise group Genting Cruise Lines is introducing enhanced preventive measures for its Dream Cruises and Star Cruises fleet with an increase in safety levels for the cruise industry following the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.

These include stringent health screening processes and protocols prior to embarkation and disembarkation.

Mandatory temperature screening and pre-boarding health declarations for all guests with infrared fever screening systems installed at the ship’s gangway.

Thorough sanitisation and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins, on board public areas and recreational areas will be enforced.

Ships will have 100% external fresh air filtered and supplied to passenger cabins and on board public areas

Self-service at F&B buffet restaurants will be suspended. All food & beverages will be served to guests by crew members wearing face masks & disposable gloves. Guests will be encouraged to wash hands before entry and use sanitiser dispensers available at F&B outlet entrances/exits.

Guests capacity will be limited to half the venue capacity to provide ample space between guests.

Isolated wards will be available in the Medical Centre.

Crew will receive twice daily temperature checks and all frontline crew are required to wear face masks. Ships will also see a reduction in crew movement.

These preventive steps are set to become the new norm for preventive standards for the fleet.

With these new standards and practices in place, the cruise company has said that it is “optimistic that the cruise industry will rebound from this temporary setback and regain the confidence of all cruise passengers when operations resume”.

President of Genting Cruise Lines, Mr Kent Zhu, said: “At Genting Cruise Lines, the safety and health of our guests and crew are of paramount importance to us. With the impact of the covid-19outbreak regionally and globally, many guests as well as crew have developed higher awareness and expectations with regards to the safety and preventive measures of cruise ships.

“As a responsible cruise company, it is our duty to adopt a pro-active approach to meet and also strive to exceed the growing expectations and concerns of the public.

“As such, we have carefully reviewed our prevention and response plan with the covid-19 pandemic in mind to devise and provide enhanced and comprehensive measures across our fleet.

“We have taken the positive opportunity during this hiatus period to also implement comprehensive crew training to reinforce effective cleaning procedures, health and hygiene protocols and efficient guest interaction, which we will adopt as the new safety norm for our fleet and we hope for the industry too.”

He added: “The public will be pleased to know for instance, that all of Genting Cruise Lines’ ships allow for 100 per cent 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.

“Besides that, isolated wards are available in the Medical Centre and cabins can be converted into quarantine rooms if required.”

To boost confidence in future reservations for guests, Genting Cruise Lines has also launched its “Cruise As You Wish” programme in which all new and existing Dream Cruises and Star Cruises bookings prior to or on 30 October 2020 will have the flexibility to cancel up to 48 hours before sailing.

Guests will also receive 100 per cent future cruise credit to be redeemed of any Dream Cruises or Star Cruises sailing embarking on or before 31 March 2021.

For more information about Dream Cruises, please visit dreamcruiseline.com.