The client
SMS International Shore Operations (SMS ISO) provides passenger logistics services for cruise lines, including port agency, turnaround services and shore excursions.
With over 50 years of experience in the industry, SMS ISO are trusted by several reputable cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Costa, MSC and Disney Cruiselines.
The challenge
Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, holidays were banned for English travellers and liners were forced to moor vessels across the world. The cruise industry suffered a hard hit and there was much uncertainty on when passengers and crew would be welcomed back.
With the long-awaited news that the ban on international cruises will be lifted on 2nd August 2021, SMS ISO played an integral part of the newly introduced on site health screenings and rapid COVID-19 testing for passengers and crew ahead of boarding.
In an extra effort to safeguard passengers and staff, SMS ISO required a reliable solution that would enable them to provide safe transport for guests from the testing site to the ship, in order to minimise passenger contact with the public and therefore reduce the likelihood of an outbreak onboard.
The solution
CMAC Group partnered with SMS ISO to determine a solution that ensures a safe shuttle service for guests who receive a negative COVID-19 test.
The ‘return to cruise’ offering from CMAC enables cruise lines to safely transport people from the testing site to their ship, minimising passenger contact and therefore supporting the safe return of the industry.
We are excited to be back to business and supporting the safe restart of travel for our many cruise line clients. Following successful test cruises, which gave our teams the chance to work through the new health and safety protocols, we are pleased to say that the very first revenue cruises are underway. This is a positive for the sector and we are looking forward to welcoming back cruise guests at ports, for both domestic and international travel, throughout the season. This could not have been made possible without the cooperation of many partners, of which CMAC Group are a valuable member of the team.
Christopher Blanchard, Executive Vice PresidentSMS International Shore Operations