Carnival Retracts Prematurely Released Cruise Protocols

Carnival Cruise Line is apologizing for having prematurely posted information regarding the health and safety protocols which are expected to be put in place when they resume sailings.

What Guests Should Expect

On Saturday, Carnival Cruise Line posted to their webpage what a spokesperson described as disclosure information required as part of the Centers for Disease Control’s Conditional Sail Order.

At the time, the rep said, “This disclosure information includes core elements of our return to service plan which will continue to evolve once we receive additional guidance from the CDC. When we have a final plan, we will update our website and communicate directly with booked guests and travel agents.”

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Now, Carnival tells Cruise Radio, “In our haste to keep guests and travel agents informed, we posted some information that was not finalized. As we have said previously, guests should expect [mask-wearing], testing, distancing and other protocols. We intend to provide more details over the coming weeks as we work to resume operations.”

What Had People Talking

Almost immediately, the internet began to buzz with regards to some of the information contained in the original disclosure. In particular, attention was paid to a section that discussed limiting access to public spaces, venues, and activities. Without getting into specifics, the document spoke of spaces operating at reduced capacity and the possibility that a reservation system might be put in place for a wide range of areas and activities, including pools, gyms, casinos, restaurants, bars, and entertainment productions.”

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For those who have closely followed the protocol discussions, none of this is particularly new. For example, the Healthy Sail Panel — established by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings — addressed these potentially problematic areas. “Capacity reductions,” the report read, “should also be applied to all ship and terminal venues (e.g., restaurants, retail, casinos, lounges, fitness centers) as well as transportation vehicles and shore excursions, to allow for appropriate distancing practices.”

While neither the Health Sail Panel nor any similar plans put forth specifically spoke of a reservation system, it stands to reason that cruise lines will need to have something in place allowing them to both control capacity and allow equal access to all guests.

As questions flooded into the Facebook page of Carnival’s brand ambassador regarding the protocols, he thanked people for their patience as the company works toward finalizing the protocols. “I know it is not an easy thing to ask for, but I do so sincerely,” he wrote. “We will share the news and then look at what we can do as a company to help you the best way we can.”