After more than a five-month break linked to the coronavirus, the Italian cruise line Costa Cruises set out to sea again on Sunday.
A cautious return with a first start from the
Costa Deliziosa
from Trieste for a seven-day trip around Italy.
The first cruises are also reserved for Italian residents only.
A recovery that comes after several large ships have already taken to sea from Mediterranean ports, in particular those of the big competitor, MSC Cruises.
It was time to revive a sector which, after years of growth, is facing an unprecedented crisis.
Between mid-March and the end of September, the global loss of economic activity will be of the order of $ 50 billion and 334,000 jobs, estimates the International Association of Cruise Lines.
Faced with the risk of the spread of the coronavirus, particularly strict measures have been taken.
The boarding of passengers is done according to a pre-established order with half-hour slots, after a test, a temperature measurement and a health form.
Reception capacity was also reduced, buffets replaced by table service, and all crew members had to undergo a quarantine of fourteen days before departure.
Not sure that this is enough for a rapid return to favor of cruises.
"The situation will undoubtedly remain complicated, because there is mistrust vis-à-vis cruising, after the traumatic images"
of waves of contamination on certain boats at the start of the crisis, estimates Didier Arino, general manager of the specialist firm. Protourism.