By O Globo – 05/08/2021
RIO – Having been away from our coast for about a year and a half, cruise ships continue to be on the horizon for Brazilian tourists. Most potential passengers consider sea travel a strong option for holidays, but would only agree to embark if fully vaccinated, and see no problems in following part of the safety measures against Covid-19 implemented by companies.
Tourists disembark from the ship Mein Schiff 2, owned by the shipping company TUI Cruises, in the port of Malaga, Spain Photo: JON NAZCA / Reuters
These are some conclusions from the study “Protocols for the resumption of the cruise industry and what Brazilians think”, a result of the Postgraduate Program in Metrology, Quality and Innovation (Post MQI), at the Scientific Technical Center of PUC-Rio ( CTC/PUC-Rio), by professor Ana Lúcia Rodrigues da Silva and her postdoctoral advisor, professor Reinaldo Castro Souza. Previewed exclusively for O GLOBO, the research focused on the prospects for recovery of this style of travel in the country, based on the perception of safety of potential passengers.
High Fidelity
Crew members assemble a small passenger's plate at the buffet on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, in one of the most significant changes to customs on cruise ships Photo: Royal Caribbean / Disclosure
Between April 13th and May 13th, 412 people were interviewed, of different age groups and with varying degrees of experience in sea travel, with 30% among those who had never embarked and 70% among those who had already taken one to more than seven cruises in life.
This separation by onboard experience revealed to researchers that, when it comes to cruises, loyalty increases according to the number of hours sailed.
— The greater the number of cruises already taken, the greater the propensity to trust safety protocols and the willingness to plan for future trips — says Reinaldo.
For example, 50.1% of all respondents agreed with the statement “I will go on a cruise as soon as I have the opportunity to go”. In the group of people who have never traveled by ship in their lives, this percentage drops to 30.6%. Among those who did more than seven itineraries of this type, it jumps to 87.1%.
Protocols and vaccines matter
Regarding safety protocols, interviewees were willing to adopt most of them, such as accepting constant temperature measurement, wearing masks in common areas, washing hands, taking PCR tests before boarding and adapting to the new buffet model, in which the dishes are served by the crew. In other aspects, however, resistance promises to be greater, says Ana Lúcia:
— Many people don't like the idea of needing to maintain distance at parties and shows, and also of not being able to disembark at stops on their own, only with hired excursions, which are paid separately.
In addition to passenger confidence, the cruise segment is betting on the advancement of vaccination in the country. Not because this could be a requirement for the trip, but because 66.5% of potential passengers, according to the survey, state that they will only embark with complete immunization against Covid-19.
Based on the occupancy rate in 2019/2020, and the average capacity limitation in other countries (around 70%), the study also projected the number of passengers for the future season.
— In a very realistic forecast, we will have between 300 thousand and 350 thousand. But there is a great desire on the part of passengers to travel again — says Professor Reinaldo.
A realistic forecast
The forecast is below the 572 thousand beds offered by the seven ships scheduled for the season, which still depends on the approval of several federal bodies, such as Anvisa. If this happens, it is scheduled for the period between October 31st and April 19th, 2022.
— We are ready to resume travel. Negotiations with federal authorities, and also with destinations, are progressing well. We believe that, as vaccination progresses, and the number of cases decreases, approval will be a reality — says Marco Ferraz, president of the Brazilian Cruise Ship Association (Clia-Brasil).
Ferraz, who had access to the study during a presentation to Clia-Brasil members, states that the research can be a useful tool for developing communication strategies aimed at passengers, in order to reinforce the importance of safety measures against Covid-19 .
— Cruise companies are operating successfully in Europe, the United States, the Caribbean and Asia, with very low case rates, thanks to Clia protocols. They will also be applied in Brazil, such as crew vaccination, the requirement for PCR tests for all people on board and others. — he explains. — But it is clear that many measures can be revised, depending on the pandemic situation. Mandatory disembarkation on closed excursions, for example, is the safest way found today, but it can be relaxed if future conditions allow.
What travelers want
Predisposition to travel
50,1% They want to travel at the first opportunity.
66,5% They will only go on a cruise when they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
48,3% They stated that they will only go on a cruise when the pandemic is over.
Temperature measurement in the boarding terminal of an MSC cruise Photo: Riccardo Fani / MSC Cruzeiros / Disclosure
Security protocols
64,8% They say they don't care about following basic protocols such as wearing masks, taking Covid-19 tests and washing their hands.
47,5% believe that respecting social distancing will not take away the pleasure of being on board (33,1% disagree).
52% They do not consider that the buffet served by the crew interferes with the experience on board.
44,3% see no problem with just taking shore excursions organized by the company (36,3% disagree).
73,9% believe that cruises with reduced passenger capacity are safer.
Duration of trips
40,6% They prefer, when they resume, shorter cruises (for 42.1%, this makes no difference).
58% they don't think non-stop cruises are safer.
47,7% They are afraid to travel on a ship that has already recorded outbreaks or even deaths from Covid-19.
Credits and scheduled trips
74,3% They do not have credit for unscheduled trips.
69% have not booked cruises for the 21/22 season.
53,5% of the people who have credits for trips not taken have already taken more than seven cruises in their lives.
Source: newspaper O Globo – https://oglobo.globo.com/boa-viagem/cruzeiros-pesquisa-revela-que-brasileiros-querem-embarcar-mas-so-depois-de-vacinados-25141032
