How University of Portsmouth research is helping to boost the Covid-hit cruise industry
SeaDream Yacht Club’s vessel, SeaDream 1, stopped in Portsmouth on October 19 to pick up 19 passengers for a transatlantic voyage to the Caribbean.
The yacht, which can normally hold 110 guests, is running its voyage based on the most recent strict health and safety protocols.
At the height of the pandemic, worldwide media coverage showed ships being turned away from ports and left marooned in the ocean with passengers stranded at sea.
However, ocean cruise line MSC sailed in the Mediterrean in August and river cruises began again in June.
It is a cautious and careful start with the sector’s professional bodies collaborating with operators, industry partners and health experts, including the World Health Organisation, to provide rigorous health and safety protocols to help the return of cruising.
The Cruise Lines International Association organisation’s members, which include Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Cunard, have agreed to conduct 100 per cent testing, with both passenger and crew needing a negative test result to board the ship.
The UK Chamber of Shipping has produced a Covid-19 framework which covers all parts of a passenger’s journey, from boarding to disembarkation, covering social distancing,face coverings and capacity limitations.
More than 88,000 jobs are supported by the UK cruise industry, which generates £10bn a year for the UK economy. Ex-UK sailings have been paused since March and there is currently no restart date for the sector.
To help boost cruise passenger sales, University of Portsmouth senior teaching fellow Liz Sharples is researching the most effective ways to communicate with passengers in the Covid-19 era.
She is looking to interview cruise specialists, from tour operators or agencies, as well as passengers who have had their cruise holiday cancelled due to the pandemic.
She said: ‘I would really appreciate elite cruise practitioners and passengers who have had their trips cancelled to get in touch. Your input and comments will really help inform this research.’
She is hopeful her work will be used by ocean and river cruise lines in their passenger communication strategies to help ensure they use the right tone and get across the key messages that passengers want to hear.
Please contact [email protected] to take part in her study.
£1,600 grants awarded to Covid-affected businesses
Ten small and medium-sized businesses based in the Solent region have been awarded a £1,600 grant to help respond to the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Santander Covid-19 Small Business Grant is provided by Santander Universities and managed by the University of Portsmouth’s Business School.
The university is a partner of Santander Universities, a national network of more than 80 UK universities which provides financial and other forms of assistance in research, entrepreneurship, internationalisation and employability for students, staff and business.
The fund will allow the 10 businesses, charities and third sector organisations (with fewer than 250 employees) to purchase additional goods or services, provide staff with equipment or training, or strengthen their marketing capabilities.
Applications now open for The Small Business Leadership Programme
The Small Business Leadership Programme is open to business leaders employing five people or more and provides the opportunity to learn, reflect, collaborate and plan for a more productive and resilient business. Apply at www.smallbusinesscharter.org/sblp-registration/
To find out more about University of Portsmouth COVID-19 Business Support and all our Business Services, please visit www.port.ac.uk/businessservices