Carnival Corp's Costa Brand: Planned Coronavirus (COVID-19) Safety Measures

Costa Ship Docked In Nassau, Bahamas

         Costa Cruises has released some of its safety measures that will be implemented when cruises return. At the time of writing this post, Costa is planning on resuming some cruises starting in mid-August 2020. 
           I normally do not write or cover Costa, but I decided to write a blog post over the planned safety measures the company has announced. This could be indicator of some of the procedures other Carnival Corporation brands may adopt to protect guests and crew, but it is too early to know exactly what each brand's safety procedures will look like. Please keep in mind this information is subject to change and Costa may have to change procedures. Below are a list of the procedures I gathered from Costa's website & press release:

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Check-In Information

• Prior to cruising guests will have online check-in and self-certification procedures that must be completed. Costa's website states this will help minimize interaction with staff members that are working in the cruise terminal. 
• Guests will sign a mandatory health questionnaire that will require certification of health. It is not yet clear from Costa's website or press releases what exactly this health questionnaire will require certification of.
• Costa is offering the ability to book onboard services prior to the cruise. 

Temperature Checks & Personal Protective Equipment

• Costa will be taking the temperature of all guests and crew each time they board the ship. This includes the first day of the cruise and each port of call. 
• Once onboard the ship, guests can take take their temperature using a self-service electronic device. This self-service device should be available throughout the day. 
• Costa's press release states the use of masks will be required when in the indoor areas of the ship, but will only be mandatory in outdoor situations where distancing is not possible. The use of masks when off the ship in a port of call depends on local regulations.

Physical Distancing Onboard

• The number of guests able to be onboard the ship has been reduced. Costa did not release the exact capacity reduction for the ships. 
• Costa is planning on having controlled access to entertainment venues in order to prevent crowding. Their plan is to have more shows available throughout the day with a smaller sized audience in each showing. 
• Lounges and venues will have reduced occupancy levels and these areas have had some redesign to allow for the reduced occupancy. 
• Safety signs will be onboard to remind guests to distance. 
• There will be no self-service restaurants onboard the ships. This means crew members will be serving guests food and drinks.
• In dining areas, Costa says the space between tables and seats has been modified to allow for distancing of guests. Furthermore, Costa states access to dining areas will be capacity controlled.

General Onboard Procedures

• Public areas will be sanitized multiple times a day with antiviral disinfectants. Costa's website notes restrooms will be sanitized frequently. 
• Guests staterooms/cabins will be cleaned using an antiviral disinfectant treatment prior to the guest's arrival (this probably means during time after the last guest left the room from the prior cruise and before the guest has access to the room on the next cruise). Costa's website notes that the stateroom/cabin will be cleaned and disinfected daily. 
• Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the ship. 
• Shore excursion buses will be sanitized after each use and there will be reduced occupancy on the bus.
• Onboard ventilation systems have new filters. The goal of this is to have less internal air recirculation, but instead have more fresh air from outside. 

Procedures For Crew Members

• Crew members will have to undergo a temperature screening before and after each shift. 
• A multi-step process to test crew members will be implemented. Crew members will be pre-screened in their own country and will have to undergo two swab tests to see if he or she has COVID-19. Once the crew member arrives in Italy, he or she will undergo another test. If the third test comes back negative, the crew member will be allowed on the ship to start a 14 day quarantine period. These crew members onboard will have a temperature check done at least once daily and a swab test done at least once per month. 
• Costa's website states crew members will have protective equipment that is in line with Italian regulations. 

My Sources & For More Reading:
Costa's Sanitation & Safety Procedures On Their Main Website:  Click Here 
​Costa's Full Press Release (August 3, 2020) With Some Information:  Click Here

Please keep in mind this information is subject to change. If you are cruising on Costa, it is best you check with them for the latest safety requirements and measures.