Adapting to COVID-19 Challenges: iBestTravel and Viking Cruises
The travel industry has had to adapt swiftly to significant changes and challenges brought on by the spread of COVID-19 this year. A notable example is Viking Cruises, which has become the first company to introduce an onboard PCD laboratory for rapid COVID-19 testing.
The newly established facility was revealed onboard the Viking Star, enhancing the company’s capacity for large-scale testing. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a proven technique used to identify small segments of genetic material in samples, thus detecting the presence of an antigen without measuring the body’s immune response or antibodies. Typically, this method involves using a swab to take a sample. Interestingly, the tests onboard the 930-guest ocean vessel are non-invasive and utilize a saliva sample.
Matt Grimes, the Vice President of Maritime Operations for Viking, stated, “We have been working on this for a number of months, and today is important as it moves us one step closer to operating cruises again, without compromising the safety of our guests and crew. The recently announced CDC guidelines align with our public health research, and we welcome the agency’s focus on testing because we believe this is the only way to operate safely. Continuous PCR testing, combined with our extensive onboard hygiene protocols, will ensure that Viking ships remain a safe getaway to explore the world.”
Moreover, Viking intends to showcase the PCR laboratory alongside new design and operating procedures when the Viking Star docks in Oslo in mid-November.
Recently, several major cruise companies, members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLI), agreed on new regulations that will mandate all passengers wishing to embark to demonstrate they do not have COVID-19. Additionally, the CDC in the United States has introduced a phased approach for resuming passenger operations.
