Every passenger carries a cruise card or wrist band to ‘check in’ at an assembly station, with the Muster Evacuation Monitoring Protocol System tracking when passengers are on board or when they disembark. This Protocol also includes information about people with special needs who might need additional support in an emergency.

In response to COVID-19 a comprehensive set of operating procedures have been developed that build upon already stringent health and safety measures that have long been in place on board our ships. The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all our guests and crew prior to embarkation and protected shore visits at each destination.

Our safety procedures are specifically designed to greatly exceed IMO and International Safety Management (ISM) Code regulations and we cultivate a culture where our whole crew has direct responsibility for safety.

With complex technical equipment onboard, deck and engine teams go through comprehensive technical training and certification, in accordance with all applicable national and international rules and regulations and in compliance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

In 2019, we invested €6.9m in training 15,227 of our crew for an average of 36 training hours each. Shoreside employee investment was €1.8m with 129,490 hours of training and an average of 50 hours per employee.

Whether they work on the Bridge, the engine room, in hospitality, or in a supporting role onshore, all our people receive the training they require to allow them to do an exceptional job.

Our guest-facing crew are provided with training on cultural awareness and sensitivity to various groups, including people with disabilities.

With 124 nationalities across the business, we have a truly international workforce that represents every creed, colour and background.