Malaga Cruise Port is ready to resume cruise traffic, following the approval of the protocol for cruise traffic by the Regional Government of Andalucía. The protocol provides measures and procedures for a safe operation both for cruise passengers and citizens. This will allow the resumption of cruise calls in national itineraries in Andalusian Ports, both for national and international passengers.
Andalucía is leading the resumption of cruise traffic in Spain’s mainland, and will be helping other regions to move forward, so that a wider itinerary offer will be available for cruise lines in our area, being Málaga an excellent option for homeporting thanks to its international airport, one of the most important in Spain.
The current situation in Spain is: national itineraries are allowed at ports where corresponding regional governments approve this traffic –which is, as for today, Canary Islands and Andalucía-, whereas international itineraries are not allowed but under study by the Spanish Government.
Carlos Rubio, President of Málaga Port Authority, highlighted that “this protocol is an important starting point for the resumption of an essential activity for the port and the destination. Initially, it will be national itineraries but with health measures that will help us prove that cruise tourism is once again a safe and worth-living experience. This achievement is in addition to the work carried out by the port and the destination during the last months in collaboration with Suncruise Andalucía and the cruise lines, opening the opportunity for Malaga to be chosen by cruise lines as a homeport or port of call on their itineraries”.
Susana Gutierrez, General Manager of Malaga Cruise Port said: “We are pleased to announce the approval of this Health Protocol on behalf of the Regional Government of Andalusia, that will enable the resumption of cruise calls in Málaga for national itineraries, in the safest way. From our experience in other GPH network of ports that have safely resumed activities, such as Valletta - Malta, Singapore - Singapore and Cagliari - Italy, we have gained many best practices. Our Health Protocols approved by Andalusian Regional Government is a reflection of these successful operations with a complete guideline and recommendations, covering all stakeholders involved in cruise operations, so that each interface be in line with Málaga port and destination requirements in relation to health procedures to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks.”
The protocol includes the procedures and measures to be followed by cruise lines, which are in line with EU Healthy Gateways, the protocols from Málaga Cruise Terminals –which were also leaders in the national and international certification as safe facilities- and cruise lines’ protocols. These, together with protocols from the destination, will ensure the safest full experience in Málaga.
Protocol details
The protocol provides procedures and measures in order to guarantee the safe development of cruise calls in Andalusian Ports, being the following some of them:
- Passengers and crew must provide negative PCR tests prior to boarding.
- Upon boarding, passengers will be informed on prevention measures and protocols that must be followed on board.
- Ships must have authorized laboratories in order to carry out tests for crew members, as well as random tests for cruise passengers.
- Ship capacity should be reduced to 60-70% of the total capacity of the ship, keeping cabins for preventive isolations if needed, either due to a positive result, or due to a direct contact with a positive case.
- Buffet service will not be available, being meals served directly on the table.
- As for calls at destinations, organized excursions can be carried out under "bubble groups".
- All cruise passengers must provide health insurance including agreements with hospitals and accommodation for preventive isolation, if needed.
