Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

1 8 8 and breath, and of the fluids contained in the air, mean that guidelines that ensure separation are essential to keeping other passengers safe and healthy, even if someone onboard has become infected. Passenger corridors and lifts, buffet lines and sun decks are all possible sources of infection if proper physical separation protocols are not adhered to. Critical services such as restaurants and dining areas must consist of specific design elements such as partitions and easy-to-clean or self-sanitising furniture, in order to minimise the interaction between the staff and guests. Aware of this challenging goal and of the need for new spacing and separation regulations between staff and guests, we have been exploring how to adapt cruising to Covid-19 in every variable of managing passenger flows, gathering and access control, social distancing, dynamic fluid analysis and air conditioning tuning, and furniture design, with very encouraging results. At the core of this service concept are our unique Covid-19-free and self- sanitising installations, in both sitting and standing versions. A typical buffet equipped with our different types of installations for individuals, couples, families and group settings can become a safe and efficient restaurant, with only 20 per cent less seating and full separation between guests and staff. Our study and new offerings are supported by partnerships with organisations such as Micamo, a biotechnology company backed by the University of Genoa; the University of Genoa’s Department of Computational Fluid Dynamics; Atisa, which designs and installs heating, ventilation and air- conditioning systems; and engineering consultancy firm ECD Group of Genoa. These partnerships represent some of the powerful planning support that is currently available to the cruise industry to help manage Covid-19. In the absence of universal indications and protocols from international authorities, our Covid-19-free system is the only available project that can advise and support operators, and help design cruise ship spaces in a multidisciplinary and scientific way. Only the creativity of designers applied to science can make such a system pleasant and attractive – something that is inherent to cruise ships. The task of architects and designers is to build memorable experiences, despite the technicalities and physical limitations. People go on cruises to enjoy themselves, and we are working to ensure that continues. CFR Marco De Jorio is president and CEO of De Jorio Design International De Jorio Design International’s new Covid-19 installations in dining areas will help cruise lines ensure safe distance between passengers, without affecting the cruise experience V IEWPOINT