American Cruise Lines Health & Safety Protocols

American Cruise Lines was the first U.S. cruise line to suspend operations due to COVID-19 and is committed to resuming travel only when it is safe for guests, crew, and community partners.

American has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of guests and crew during all upcoming travel. They have partnered with Vikand Solutions, a leading global expert in maritime medical operations and healthcare. They will have medical professionals onboard the vessels to ensure safety, provide care, and administer COVID-19 tests onboard. Below is a summary of the physical changes, operating protocols, and sanitation practices that have been implemented.

American Cruise Lines Ship Safety

• American Cruise Lines ships have approximately 350 square feet of space per guest at full capacity. This amount was increased to approximately 450 square feet per guest through capacity reduction measures and compared to approximately 140 square feet per guest on other ships.
• There are independent HVAC systems in every stateroom and lounge. Ships have no shared ducting between rooms or public spaces.
• Covid-19 antigen testing capability onboard using Quidel Sofia 2 testing instruments.
• UV-C water filtration systems for all potable water. These filtration systems kill a wide range of bacteria and viruses.
• Touchless boarding and check-in process. Medical screenings may require contact between a medical professional and the guest, however proper PPE will be donned and utilized.

American Cruise Lines General Operating Safety

• Guest capacity reduced by 25%. Each cruise will sail with a maximum of 75% of the allotted guest capacity. Capacity reductions increase distancing measures and increase the ability for private crew accommodation.
• Increased time between cruises to allow for full vessel sanitation.
• Extensive pre-cruise screening measures and denial of boarding to anyone with flu-like symptoms or other qualifications of concern.
• Sanitation rounds to be conducted on an hourly schedule, including sanitation of all touchpoints, including railings, doorknobs, elevator buttons, and gangways.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) to be available at all times for guests and crew. PPE includes face shields, gloves, and face masks. PPE may be required during certain events as situations dictate, particularly when exploring ports of call independently or when social distancing is difficult.
• Public bathrooms will be closed. Guests will be asked to use the restrooms in their stateroom.
• Hand sanitizing stations placed throughout the ship and at the gangway before each boarding and unboarding.
• Luggage sanitation prior to loading on the ship. Deckhands performing sanitation will be wearing PPE.
• Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be kept behind transmission barriers and passed to guests individually. American Cruise Lines will not have buffets.

American Cruise Lines Cleaning & Sanitation

• PPE will be provided for all housekeepers.
• Guests will have the same housekeeper for the duration of the cruise.
• Cleaning chemicals meet EPA and CDC Guidelines. Most cleaning and sanitizing chemicals provided by Ecolab, a company providing hygiene products to more than three million customer locations around the world, including to the foodservice and healthcare industries.
• Daily sanitation of all touchpoints in staterooms, including doorknobs, light switches, sink, balcony railing, thermostat, etc.
• Disposable cover applied to each TV remote control prior to guest boarding.

American Cruise Lines Medical Practices

• Onboard medical services provided by Vikand Solutions, a certified global medical company, with long-standing experience in the maritime and cruise industries.
• Resident nurse or EMT on each ship for the duration of each cruise.
• Compliance with CDC sanitation guidelines.
• Medical facility to be provided onboard with supplies.
• Covid-19 PCR testing in conjunction with facilities ashore.
• Covid-19 antigen testing onboard using Quidel Sofia 2 instruments.
• Isolation rooms will be created and made available as necessary. An allotment of staterooms aboard each ship to be sanitized and kept unoccupied unless they become necessary for isolation purposes.
• Outbreak Management Plan in place to respond to confirmed Covid-19 case onboard.
• Coordinated care with shoreside medical facilities and evacuation plans in place from every port of call.

American Cruise Lines Boarding & Pre-Cruise Safety

• Denial of boarding to anyone with flu-like symptoms or who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 30 days.
• Pre-travel medical questionnaire with instructions for self-certification.
• Pre-travel Covid-19 PCR test with proof of negative result (may vary depending on itinerary and state requirements).
• Private transportation directly to the ship (or to the arranged pre-cruise hotel, if the hotel has implemented suitable sanitation practices).
• Medical tent with pre-boarding screening including respirations, oxygen, and temperature check. Covid-19 testing will performed as needed.
• Touch free boarding and check-in process.

American Cruise Lines Dining Safety

• Main dining room capacity reduced with removal of tables and chairs to allow for social distancing.
• All dining tables to be used only once during each meal service. There will not be multiple seatings at any table during any meal.
• The Back Porch Cafe will continue operating as an additional dining option.
• PPE will be provided for all chefs and galley workers.
• In-room dining will be available to all guests upon request.
• Breakfast service to private balconies will remain available.
• Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be kept behind transmission barriers and passed to guests individually.

American Cruise Lines Shoreside Safety

• All tour venues screened for social distancing and sanitation practices
• Private coaches travel directly to and from each venue
• Coaches sanitized before every boarding
• Reduced coach capacity to allow for social distancing during rides
• Excursion capacities reduced to allow social distancing at each venue. Additional excursion times will be added as needed for guest enjoyment.

American Cruise Lines Crew Safety

• Pre-boarding screening practices will apply to guests and crew members. Additionally, crew members will be screened at the conclusion of every cruise.
• Reduction of crew movement in public spaces and reduced shore leave. Crew trained to engage in social distancing at all times, including when off-duty.
• Covid-19 identification training for all crew members. This includes training on how to observe and report symptoms, as well as how to self-identify their potential symptoms.
• Covid-19 response training for all crew members.
• PPE training for all crew members, including the purpose, use, and donning of PPE.