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Ponant have made a hugely successful restart to cruising. Over the past few months the small-ship expedition line has safely completed 40 cruises.
Ponant’s ultra-luxury vessels have explored the coasts of Brittany and Spain, as well as Croatia, the Greek islands and Corsica. Not to mention the glaciers and fjords of Iceland.
The French cruise line’s successful restart to cruising underscores the importance of effective health protocols. Indeed, COVID-19 breaches have forced other cruise lines to postpone their restarts. By contrast Ponant maintain a strict, hermetic “Anti COVID” bubble on board their fleet of small ships.
“We believe that our small capacity ships, operating in a sanitary bubble, with limited guest numbers provide a scalable and manageable standard of protocols.”
Sarina Bratton – Chairman Ponant Asia Pacific.
Reduced passenger numbers
It’s worth noting that Ponant’s eco-sensitive ships normally accomodate a maximum of just 264-guests. However, since the Ponant restart to cruising fewer guests come on board. This enhances social distancing and helps maintain health and hygiene.
Health protocals
Guests must have a valid health pass indicating full vaccination or immunity. Alternatively guests must produce a negative PCR-test taken not more than 72-hours before boarding.
There is also automated and systematic temperature measurement of guests whilst on board. In addition, wearing a face mask is mandatory when moving in public areas outside the stateroom.
Extra ventilation
In addition to these measures, Ponant also benefit from having the world’s most modern fleet. It enables them to utilise the latest technology to support their strict health and safety protocols. This includes 100% fresh air ventilation in all staterooms, as well as renewing the ventilated air in common areas at least five times per hour. It all helps minimise the potential for cross contamination.
Each of Ponant’s vessels also has an onboard testing and diagnosis laboratory for detecting infectious diseases. In addition, there is also a hospital with the latest medical technology and intensive care equipment.
Ponant’s restart cruising a model for others
With epidemiologists predicting COVID-19 will continue to impact global travel for some years, Ponant’s scrupulous attention to health and safety protocols is being held up as a model for luxury cruising.
Learn more about Ponant’s restart to cruising, the fleet of 13 luxury vessels and rigorous health protocols.
About the Author: Jason Kerr
