Seatrade Cruise Talks: Port Operations in Europe

Although borders are slowly opening across Europe, there are still too many uncertainties and disparities governing individual countries’ travel and tourism guidelines as they ease out of COVID-19 lockdown to enable large-scale cruising activity to return safely and swiftly.

This, according to four European-based industry experts from the ports, cruise line and shore excursions community who shared their thoughts with Seatrade Cruise Group Director Mary Bond in Seatrade Cruise Talks' first digital Curated Conversation piece.

New protocols needed

A resumption of Europe-wide cruising will be a gradual approach with new protocols needed in the first instance, followed by plenty of testing and training that need to be put in place governing port operations, shoreside activities and on board ships, according to Claus Bødker, chair of Cruise Baltic; Michael McCarthy, chair of Cruise Europe; Ukko Metsola, VP government relations, Europe & Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; and Carmen Morosan, global shore excursions manager, Intercruises.

Click here to watch 'What will it take to bring cruising back safely, from a European perspective?' in the Seatrade Cruise Talks series.

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Consistent policies, protocols and patience needed before cruising resumes Europe-wide

New protocols needed