Azamara Health and Safety Protocols Announced for 2021 Cruises from Greece

With the recent announcement by Azamara that they’ll cruise from Greece this summer, the cruise line revealed their new “Explore Well at Sea” program.  Azamara developed their new health and safety program under the guidance of the Healthy Sail Panel, the combined efforts of Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.  

Azamara Health and Safety Program Details

With guests’ health and safety the priority, cruisers will experience advanced screening protocols.  These will include fully vaccinated crew and guests, increased sanitation methods and additional medical services. 

“Since we suspended our sailings over a year ago, we’ve had time to develop a strong restart plan and build on our existing health and safety protocols to ensure peace of mind for guests and crew, especially when it comes to traveling within our new world,” said President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas. “Cruising is one of the safest places to travel, which is attributed to all the enhanced protocols set in place, and we are extremely fortunate to be guided by the Healthy Sail Panel for a healthy return to service in Greece beginning on August 28, with five back-to-back Country-Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing.”

Azamara ‘Explore Well at Sea’ Features

Testing & Screening 

All guests must be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing.  In addition, passengers must provide proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Once aboard, free COVID-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.

Air Filtration

Azamara has installed new HVAC filtration systems so the air indoors aboard all Azamara ships is comparable to the fresh sea air. This advanced filtration system takes in fresh sea air and moves it through a two-stage filter, plus copper coils, to eliminate 99.99% of germs.  The result is to impede transmission of aerosol particles between spaces from extremely low to virtually impossible. 

Cleaning Protocols

Advanced cleaning protocols and guidelines approved by the CDC and also recommended by the Healthy Sail Panel will be implemented. The entire ship will be regularly cleaned and sanitized.  Crew members will be trained to follow enhanced cleaning methods that include the use of EPA-certified disinfectants, and techniques like electrostatic spraying. 

Medical Facilities

An enhanced medical facility will be found on board each Azamara ship.  The facility will have more equipment, a dedicated infectious control officer, and new isolation staterooms.  Medical care, if needed, will be complimentary.  New agreements between local governments, hospitals and transportation partners will be in place to ensure guests a safe return home, should they become ill. 

Azamara will continue to evaluate these protocols and update them as needed.  Those booked as well as their travel agents will be advised of the latest requirements prior to voyage departure.