I wanted to share a blog post about healthy cruising with one of our partners Windstar Cruises. I am thrilled with the policies, procedures and technology that they are using to bring back healthy cruising. These are very interesting times for the industry and partners like Windstar are paving the way for safe cruise vacations.
When we stopped sailing in March, we didn’t anticipate how much the COVID-19 pandemic would change how the world does business and the way people travel. After months of planning and pining to travel again, we are readying the yachts to welcome you back. And we have some exciting news!
We have developed a multi-layer approach using the best in science, technology and sanitation practices as we strive to create the best possible environment onboard our ships. Our Beyond Ordinary Care program is one more example of our 180 degrees from ordinary approach.
We are making a multi-million dollar investment in our ships to create a safer environment for you. Before setting sail again, every ship will be equipped with hospital-grade high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filters and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UV-C light). The hospital-grade UV-C process has been previously proven to kill coronaviruses, along with other microbes like mold, bacteria and fungi. Air will be cleaned by moving through the filter and passing by the UV-C light before recirculating on the ship.
We aren’t stopping there.
We understand staying healthy while traveling is one of your greatest concerns. Your health and safety, along with that of our crew, is always a top priority. We are making significant operational adjustments to meet the requirements and guidelines set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other authorities.
For further guidance, we’ve partnered with the epidemiology department at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Center to investigate appropriate layers of protection to create a safer experience for guests on Windstar’s yachts.
Together, our team has built a new multi-layered Beyond Ordinary Care program incorporating policies, procedures and technology to provide a healthy environment while sailing on a Windstar yacht.
In addition to HEPA filters paired with UV-C light, we will use EvaClean with PurTab electrostatic sprayers to sanitize all surfaces and rooms after deep cleaning. The sprayers use a powerful, EPA-approved, hospital-grade sanitizing solution. The ship will be completely sanitized before each cruise and public spaces will be sanitized regularly during cruises.
A healthy environment is a collaboration. We expect our guests to share in the responsibility by practicing safe hygiene. You will receive a health questionnaire before departure for your trip, and we ask you to wear a mask while traveling to the ship. Prior to embarkation, you’ll receive a health screening, and we’ll stagger embarkation times to allow for social distancing.
On board you’ll find tables spaced farther apart in restaurants with gracious table service by our crew. We are lucky to have multiple al fresco dining venues on our ships: Veranda, Candles, and on Star Class ships, the new Star Grill by Steven Raichlen. Shore excursions and our tenders, motor coaches and small boats will operate at a reduced capacity and be cleaned between each use. Crew will wear masks, and they’ll undergo twice daily health screenings. We’ve also added additional medical staff on our ships.
Our holistic Beyond Ordinary Care program, combined with a trained and knowledgeable crew, gives us confidence to invite you back to sail with us on our small yachts. For more details and the latest updates, please visit our Health and Safety page.
We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment and are proud of the investment we are making in our fleet. It’s the right thing to do for you and for us to provide a environment to promote healthy cruising.
We can’t wait to welcome you back on board soon to once again deliver the Windstar Cruises 180 degrees from ordinary experience and customer service.
Best regards,
Chris Prelog, COO, Windstar Cruises
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