German Cruise Company Tests The Waters And Sets Sail During Pandemic

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, most major companies across the globe have suspended operations since March. After cruise ships that were already at sea when the pandemic started arrived at port in April, no major cruies vessels have embarked on a voyage carrying passengers, until now. 

NewYorkDailyNews.com reports that a German cruise ship has set sail carrying 1,200 passengers, making it the first vessel embark on a voyage since the pandemic began. The ship is operated by TUI Cruises, a major German travel company.

The Mein Schiff 2 set sail on Friday on an itinerary which will take it on a round-trip voyage from Hamburg, Germany to Norway.

TUI announced that it took certain safety precautions in order to help prevent the spread of coronavirus aboard the ship: guests must fill out a health questionnaire before boarding; guests and crew must observe social distancing requirements; and guests will be required to use facemasks. 

TUI is taking a chance restarting operations in the midst of a resurgence of coronavirus cases across the globe. On Saturday a politician in Germany noted that “the second coronavirus wave [which] is already here.”