Virgin Voyages, the new adults only cruise line that will debut this coming fall, has announced new health protocols that cover everything from masks to temperature checks.
These new health measures by Virgin as part of the cruise line’s Voyage Well plan aimed at keeping sailors (passengers) and crew members safe aboard their cruise ship. Virgin Voyages is working with CDC guidelines to for these new procedures.
Virgin is installing Thermal Camera technology in terminals and on board on their cruise ship to monitor our crew and sailors’ temperatures.
During the cruise, they are implementing best practices around sanitation, physical distancing, limited occupancy, and health checks for everyone on board.
For masks, Virgin will follow the same guidance as is recommended on land — so if people are advised to wear masks there, they will do so at sea, as well.
Virgin is managing personal space by significantly reducing overall ship capacity for their start-up sailing period — meaning that they can all easily adhere to appropriate social spacing/physical distancing recommendations. Additional measures include limiting large groups at their events through virtual ticketing and keeping empty seats between one another, and leaving tables empty between groups at each eatery.
Virgin does not have buffets or large dining rooms; purposely creating smaller eateries to limit large crowds. There is no communal food sharing — food is only prepared when it’s ordered and delivered directly to you.
The cruise line will be leveraging their already-digital onboard experience to limit contact; The Band (for contactless payment), Service Chat (for assistance digitally) and their Virtual Queues (for getting in lines for onboard experiences without actually getting in physical lines).
Virgin is also installing the latest technology from AtmosAir Solutions — an air purification system that disinfects air on board. Leveraging bi-polar Ionization technology, this air purification system has been shown to kill 99.9% of viruses — making Virgin the first in the cruise industry to treat 100% of the air on board with this technology.
They are also adopting the use of advanced cleaning tools like fogging and UV technology — the same Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation methods used in hospitals and laboratories. Every single piece of luggage and delivery to the cruise ship is fogged down, and all cabins will be fogged prior to Sailors stepping on board, or in the case that you change cabins during the voyage.
Basic COVID-19 testing and any cold or flu-like symptom health screenings will be free of charge on board. Sailors and Crew have 24/7 access to the fully-equipped private medical health center.
Virgin Voyages is moving the final payment dates to 60 days (from 120 days) before you sail, allowing you to cancel up to 48 hours before and receive a 100% Future Voyage Credit for sailings through December 16th, 2020.
