By
Alex Smith |
Seatrade Cruise Virtual has completed three days of virtual sessions, covering key developments and challenges facing sectors within the cruise Industry.
The first of the sessions covered health and safety in the industry, highlighting the ways in which cruise lines such as TUI Cruises and MSC Cruises have been operating during the Covid-19 pandemic. Discussions covered what cruise and other travel sectors have learnt from each other during the pandemic, how the risk of passengers contracting Covid-19 can be minimised and how to handle them if they do. Finally, participants learnt about the latest innovations in maritime training, and how online learning and an increased use of technology have helped over the last 13 months.
The following day’s session focused on the guest experience, and how it has been changing in recent times. The challenges of restarting cruising were examined, including the uncertainties surrounding the dates and number of ships that will be available, along with the difficulties of getting crew back onboard.
“Despite the challenges of being able to operate in a post-Covid world, we are fully committed to continuing to deliver an immersive experience,” said Carol Cabezas, president of Azamara
Other topics centred on ongoing challenges unrelated to the pandemic, such as how culinary innovations could be used to address the issue of food waste, and how the entertainment sector could be developed to provide more value for money and support for entertainers. Speakers also discussed the way in which guest spaces such as restaurants and shops are changing to account for health and safety standards and future trends.
The final day of discussions looked at the role that technology is now playing in the cruise industry. Participants learned how the development of wearables before the pandemic has evolved to be useful for safe cruising, along with other technologies that are now helping to resume sailing safely. The session also explored the ways in which the cruise industry can learn from other sectors as it implements new technologies, and how cruise lines can retrofit ships to keep up with new technological standards.