Victory Cruise Lines - Health and Safety Covid-19 Operating Protocol

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Victory Cruise Lines recently implemented SAFECRUISE for their fleet of ships.  SAFECRUISE will insure guests’ safety and security during their complete cruise experience, including  pre-boarding, boarding and onboard processes. Find out more at the link provided.

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PRE-CRUISE SCREENING
Communication with our guests begins before they have committed or booked their experience on our vessels. Health and safety information will be communicated to our guests and a pre-cruise screening process has been instituted to determine the health eligibility of those who wish to cruise with us. The following outlines the new procedures in place to ensure the health and safety of our guests and crew:

• In accordance with industry standards, we will conduct pre-voyage screenings for the protection of all our guests, staff and crew at the designated check-in hotel. Before boarding the vessel, all guests will be required to complete a health and safety questionnaire and bring it with them to check-in.
• At guest check-in a medical professional will perform health screenings and answer any guest or crew questions. The medical professional will have the authority to deny boarding to anyone that may pose a health risk.
• All guests and crew will complete a medical travel screening survey and have their temperatures taken. All forms will be reviewed by our medical representative and a member of our shipboard staff.
• Thermal camera technology may be used to conduct noninvasive temperature checks as a supplement to manual temperature screening.
• Because of changes in check-in and boarding processes, no guests or crew will be allowed to check-in directly on the vessel. Only those who have completed and passed the medical screening will be allowed to board the vessel.
• Information will be provided to all guests and crew regarding onboard sanitization and safety procedures.

BOARDING PROCEDURES
Gangway Screening 

• Victory Cruise Lines representatives will greet each visitor at the vessel access point. The following procedures will be enforced and will be managed by the Master and a medical representative.
• One controlled access point will be maintained on the vessel.
• We will require a 24-hour notice for anyone that needs access to the vessel and has not been pre-screened during hotel screening. This includes all guests, crew, visitors and contractors.
• Our onboard medical representative will be used to conduct screening, complete the health and safety survey and provide reports to the Master and each Hotel Director.
• The vessel will utilize thermometers, supplemented by thermal cameras, to take temperatures of every individual (guest/crew) boarding the vessel.

 
Screening and Monitoring During Your Cruise

• Monitoring both guests and crew during the cruise for symptoms and ensuring compliance with written policies and procedures is vital to maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Screening during the cruise will be handled through the following methods.
• Trained staff will maintain protocols and observe passengers and crew for symptoms. The Master and medical representative will respond to medical calls, keep records, practice quarantine procedures and utilize shoreside medical facilities for passenger and crew follow-up.
• The vessel access point will be monitored when in port, and controlled access to the vessel will be maintained. All passengers and crew will be passively monitored by thermal imaging when returning to the vessel.
• Victory Cruise Lines vessels will support random manual screening at the primary vessel access point in addition to passive thermal screening. In the event of a confirmed positive case, the vessel will manually screen 100% of all individuals coming and going from the vessel.
• If a guest or crew member has an elevated temperature, he or she will be evaluated by the medical representative before being allowed to board the vessel.
• Any guest who has an elevated temperature, shows signs or symptoms of illness or that vessel management feels needs to be further assessed will be sent directly to a local medical care partner for evaluation and testing. Any guest or crew that tests positive for any contagious condition will not be allowed to rejoin the vessel.

SANITATION PROCEDURES
Cleaning Procedures

• We have instituted new training procedures for all housekeeping and sanitation staff. Increased sanitation of all contact surfaces such as handrails, tables, chairs, desks, work surfaces, door handles, telephones and elevator controls in both front and back of house will be conducted hourly with higher concentrated solutions.  Sanitation will occur at scheduled times and as further required with emphasis on high touch points. 

Onboard and Additional Medical Resources

• Each of our vessels carries a certified onboard medical representative to respond to and assist guests with urgent medical care and coordinating shoreside medical assistance as needed. Quarantine procedures are in place for short term separation of potentially ill guests or crew until our next port of call, at which advanced medical care can be accessed. Upon a positive test or elevated response, the Victory Cruise Lines response team will determine what additional company resources are required.
• Given the nature of our river itineraries, we have the ability to reach shore-based medical facilities very quickly. We have established relationships with regional medical treatment facilities in key cities along our vessel routes. While in port most days, our guests and crew have access to shoreside medical evaluation and treatment if needed.
• In an emergency, we have the ability to quickly transfer passengers and crew to emergency medical services ashore by coordinating pick-up at municipal landings and docking facilities.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

• We will feature new protocols for all motor coach sanitation and safety. A reduced number of guests being transported on each motor coach (targeting 52% of capacity) will allow adequate space between individuals.

ADJUSTED SAILINGS

• Victory Cruise Lines has temporarily suspended operations across all boats through June 30, 2020. The decision was made due to the evolving and unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued widespread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions. Please continue to check in with us for the latest updates to Victory Cruise Lines sailing schedule, as well as the latest policy updates.

Update 6/16/21 - LLS