As an advisor, I’ve always focused on helping my travelers make the most of their experiences. Delivering the most value possible and providing peace of mind is what luxury means to me. And in the current climate, the new luxury is health and safety. Several weeks ago, Largay Travel president Amanda Klimak spoke with representatives from the airline, hotel, and cruise sectors to discuss how they’re working to ensure safety when I send my clients into their care. Whenever you’re ready to travel, this information will keep you well prepared and as protected as possible.
Health and Safety On Your Next Trip
While I’ve got some great ideas for your next summer road trip, most journeys still begin with a flight. That of course involves not just the time you spend on the plane, but the time in the airport and going through security. Delta Air Lines is blocking off middle seats through at least Sept. 30 and banning passengers who refuse to wear masks. They are also sending out pre-departure emails to remind travelers what to expect.
Related: Get a travel insurance quote for an upcoming trip!
“It’ll tell you don’t forget your mask,” Delta sales account executive Kyle Hassell said. “And it will also tell you to pack some snacks, because other than Starbucks being open there’s not a lot of airport concessions open yet.”
In The Air
You can do contactless check-in via the Fly Delta app or on kiosks at the airport. Kiosks are wiped down after every use. When checking in, you’ll fill out a quick health questionnaire and agree to the mask policy. If you have a medical condition preventing you from wearing a mask, Delta recommends arriving an hour earlier to the airport to give you plenty of time for a phone call with the doctors at STAT-MD who can assess and clear you for boarding.
All Delta gates have hand sanitisers and plexiglass partitions. The baggage area is sanitised regularly and clearly marked with social distancing place markers.
Boarding is back to front, 10 passengers at a time. Onboard air is partially recycled, but many plane types bring in air from outside. The air you’re breathing is from your row only and sent through a HEPA filter before coming back out of your personal vent. Air refreshes every 2-5 minutes. Flight attendants clean the bathrooms every 30 minutes.
Delta cut onboard food and beverage services in March and April but phasing them back in – slowly – depending on your route. My mom flew Delta this past weekend from MCI to MDT. They gave her a bag with snacks and water bottle as she boarded each flight. My brother flew DTW to AMS, and received a pre-packaged meal. Alcohol was also available, but “not the whole kit and caboodle.” Like Hassell said, pack snacks, or pick up a bottle of water at the terminal. (I always carry an empty reusable water bottle to fill up at the water fountains.)
Related:
Health and Safety at Hotels
Marriott is leading the way in hotel safety with a core set of 10 standards devised by health experts. In addition to complying with local regulations, the “Cleanliness Champion” at each property oversees the implementation of these enhancements. Guests must wear masks in public spaces at all Marriott properties. “We are constantly evolving to make sure our hotels are as clean and as safe as possible in preventing the transmission of the virus,” Alexis Romer, VP of sales for Marriott International Luxury Brands, said.
Contactless check-in is available through the Marriott app, and restaurant menus are either single-use or QR code-based. Tables are spread out to allow enough distance for safe and comfortable dining. Before arrival, Marriott communicates to guests which areas of the hotel are open and what the protocols are so there are no surprises.
Read: Why Virtuoso
Protocol on Cruise Ships
Cruise ships over 250 passengers are on a no-sail order through September. They’re using the time to revamp safety procedures. Royal Caribbean Group recently partnered with a Health Sail panel of doctors co-chaired by former secretary of Health and Human Services Michael Leavitt. The group, which includes Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Azamara, and Silversea cruises, will work on protocols designed to protect guests and crew.
Royal Caribbean will return to the seas at 60-70% capacity. This ensures plenty of room in public areas, including socially distanced reserved seating at shows. According to Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International senior VP of sales, pre-boarding protocols are still in the design process. Guests will most likely have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Masks will likely be required in the congested terminal area at boarding.
Onboard, you might be asked to review the lifeboat drill from your stateroom and then visit your muster station. Expect fewer people and perhaps required reservations for experiences or dinners.
As for stepping off the ship in port, “we’re going to have exclusive shore excursions,” Freed said. “We’re going to make sure that the providers we use are capable of providing a safe environment.”
The last thing I or my partners want is for our travelers to get sick or get others sick. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here to provide you with the information you need to travel safely.