An overwhelming majority of luxury cruisers favour refusing boarding to guests from regions and countries with high levels of Covid-19 infection, according to the results of a new survey just released.
Forty-three per cent stated this would make their cruise much more enjoyable, while 23 per cent said it would make their trip a little more enjoyable.
The latest survey by cruise retailer Mundy Cruising also showed strong support for compulsory virus testing prior to embarkation, with 44 per cent of respondents indicating this would make their cruise much more enjoyable, and 12 per cent stating that it would make it a little more enjoyable.
The results represent the first findings of Mundy’s new Cruise Expert Panel, launched to coincide with the company’s 50th anniversary this month. The panel is comprised of 240 people, including Mundy clients and regular cruisers.
While previous research by Mundy has shown that cruisers are keen to return to the oceans and are happy to comply with new safety protocols, this survey looked specifically at the extent to which new measures might affect clients’ enjoyment of their cruise.
The idea of cruises that don’t call at any ports (‘cruises to nowhere’) proved particularly unpopular. Those surveyed were also not keen on the prospect of cruises being limited to ex-UK and short haul itineraries.
The survey revealed a lukewarm response to some of the measures outlined in the Covid-19 Framework recently published by the UK Chamber of Shipping and CLIA.
Three quarters of respondents said making face masks mandatory in public areas would make the cruise experience less enjoyable, and just over half felt removing self-service buffets would have a negative effect on their enjoyment.
The idea of limiting visits ashore to the ship’s own excursions, as has been trialled on MSC cruises this summer, was also hugely unpopular.
“This survey shows that luxury cruise buyers are concerned about what the experience will be like on board when operations resume, and I can understand that – cruising is such a sociable way to travel,” commented Mundy Cruising managing director Edwina Lonsdale, pictured.
“However, we also know from conversations with our clients that safety is paramount, and this is reflected in the desire for testing and pre-departure health screening.
“The detailed proposals from CLIA and others lay the foundations for the safe return of cruising, and while the measures proposed will of course take some getting used to, they will ensure that a cruise ship is one of the very safest places to be.”