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Explorer Dream to Resume Cruising in Taiwan

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Explorer Dream Cruise 探索夢號 — Ying Wah Travel
Explorer Dream’s stunning painted Hull.

Genting Cruise Lines has announced the restart of cruise operations for Dream Cruises with Explorer Dream operating two and three-night “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraries that will start on July 26, departing from Keelung and calling at Penghu, Matzu and Kinmen islands.

“After months of detailed planning with the authorities to ensure the safety and health of guests and crew, we appreciate the approval of Explorer Dream resuming cruise operations in Taiwan. Dream Cruises will be the first cruise line in the world to begin sailing after the global cruise industry was shut down due to the pandemic,” said Tan Sri KT Lim, Chairman and CEO of Genting Hong Kong.

“Our new standard operating procedures to ensure passenger safety draws on our first-hand experience from the charter of two of our ships in Singapore to house foreign workers and cooperating with DNV GL, the world’s largest classification society, for Explorer Dream to receive the world’s first “Certification in Infection Prevention for the Marine industry (CIP-M).”

Genting has 25 years of history with the island as both a destination and as a homeport and because of Taiwan’s popularity among travellers.

Taiwan’s low numbers of COVID-19 cases compared to global figures has also been lauded by experts as one of the most effective response scenarios in the world, Genting said, in a press release.

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Genting Dream

Dream Cruises will offer special island-hopping cruises calling into the popular ports and islands of Peng Hu, Matsu Island and Kinmen where Taiwanese guests will again be able to enjoy short getaways.

“We thank Taiwan for its initiatives to re-start their economy and the tourism industry and the trust they have placed in Dream Cruises. As well, we appreciate the support of the travel industry in the restart of our cruise operations. This is truly a remarkable achievement which was made possible by the Taiwan authorities’ swift and effective handling of the COVID-19 crisis and their foresight in resuming the tourism industry to benefit all the ports, the economy and the lifestyle of the people of Taiwan,” said Kent Zhu, President of Genting Cruise Line.

Genting Cruise Lines has also introduced the “Certification in Infection Prevention (CIP) for the Marine industry (CIP-M).

The Explorer Dream will be the first cruise ship in the world to receive the CIP-M certification, which will further verify the procedures and systems in place for the proper prevention, control, and mitigation of infection.

In accordance with Taiwan’s regulations prior to resuming sailing, the Explorer Dream has undergone a thorough deep cleaning and observation of strict quarantine procedures for her crew. The majority of the crew will be from other Genting Cruise Lines ships who have been quarantined for the last three months and all will undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine on land after the ship arrives in Keelung on June 30.

Upon negative test results, an additional seven-day isolation period onboard the Explorer Dream will provide a total of 21 days of exhaustive preventive procedures before operations begin on July 26.

To safeguard the well-being of guests, stringent health screening processes and guidelines prior to embarkation, disembarkation and social distancing measures onboard, as well as thorough sanitization and disinfection and enhanced hygiene practices for guest cabins and crew member quarters, public areas and recreational facilities, along with safe food and beverage handling procedures will be in place.

Genting Cruise pioneers infection prevention certification

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A DNV GL surveyor has multiple assessments to complete for CIP-M certification
A solution has been launched to help the cruise industry resume sailing after the Covid-19-induced global shutdown

Genting Cruise Lines has become the first maritime customer of DNV GL’s certification in infection prevention (CIP-M) for one of its passenger ships.

Together, Genting and DNV GL are working towards providing CIP-M certification for cruise ship Explorer Dream, operated under the Dream Cruises brand.

More cruise ships and operators are expected to follow this example to certify cleanliness and healthcare on their liners as owners attempt to return operations to pre-crisis levels.

This new certification was introduced as cruise shipping is reeling from extreme effects of the global coronavirus pandemic and resultant worldwide travel restrictions. Cruise ships have been at the forefront of the global Covid-19 infections, initially as centres for coronavirus outbreaks and passenger deaths.

As travel restrictions are gradually lifted, the cruise industry hopes to resume ship operations and attract passengers again. For this it needs to inspire confidence in health and safety on its ships.

“The Covid-19 crisis has been unprecedented in its impact on the maritime industry, and on the cruise lines in particular,” said DNV GL chief executive for maritime Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen.

“But I hope that with innovative ideas like CIP-M we can help the industry get moving again in a way that gives passengers and crew confidence that exacting measures are in place to enhance the cruise industry’s already rigorous health and safety standards,” he explained.

CIP-M enables cruise ship operators to demonstrate they have procedures and systems in place to prevent, control and mitigate infection to protect their passengers and crews.

“CIP-M was inspired by health experts and has been tailored for maritime,” said Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen during a press briefing. “It meets the statutory requirements to restore passenger and industry confidence. It is a move forward as a holistic solution to the pressing challenges our industry faces.”

CIP-M builds on DNV GL Healthcare’s work in infection risk management, which includes working with 3,500 healthcare organisations, including certifying 640 hospitals worldwide.

Experts from DNV GL’s Cruise Center in Miami customised the healthcare CIP for use in a maritime setting in co-operation with DNV GL’s Business Assurance division.

CIP-M integrates maritime specific standards, such as the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s vessel sanitation programme, and incorporates national and industry guidelines.

The certification surveys and audits are performed by DNV GL surveyor teams of healthcare infection prevention and control experts together with experienced maritime auditors.

Genting Cruise Lines president Kent Zhu expects CIP-M certification to improve passenger confidence in its ability to prevent infections. “With consumers’ heightened expectations on safety and well-being, the customised CIP-M certification will indeed further boost consumers’ confidence in cruising as we recommence operations in the very near future. At Genting Cruise Lines, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew are of paramount importance to us,” he continued.

“From the onset of the pandemic, Genting Cruise Lines has been at the forefront in enhancing its preventive and safety measures with the Covid-19 pandemic in mind.

We were the first in the industry to launch and introduce our enhanced measures, which we will adopt as the new safety normal for our fleet and we hope for the industry too.”

CIP-M assessment of Genting Cruise Lines has already kicked off with a re-assessment of the company’s management system, to be followed by a certification survey of Explorer Dream. Genting expects the certification programme to be successfully completed by the end of June.

As part of the CIP-M certification, DNV GL assesses vessel operations, including enhanced sanitation procedures, food preparation and handling, physical distancing requirements and personal protective equipment use by crew members. DNV GL also evaluates maintenance of public health essential systems, emergency response plans, pre-boarding screening, embarkation and debarkation processes, and itinerary or port planning protocols.

Annual surveys on board and company audit ashore are conducted to verify continued compliance and improvement.