| Cunard to add medical restrictions

CUNARD Line overnight issued an Emergency Notification to all guests with existing bookings, confirming it will be unable to accept future passengers with a range of pre-existing medical requirements.

The update is part of Cunard’s enhanced protocols to protect the health and wellbeing of guests, crews, and the communities it visits once sailing recommences.

Guests who require supplementary oxygen (including via an oxygen concentrator), kidney dialysis, or mechanical ventilatory support (apart from overnight CPAP for sleep apnoea) will no longer be able to cruise with Cunard.

The cruise line will also bar passengers who, within 14 days prior to departure, have been unwell with confirmed or suspected coronavirus; have been in close contact with someone confirmed or suspected of having coronavirus infection; or have been advised to self-isolate under an official government contact tracing system.

“We are so sorry to have to make this change, but we need to follow new industry procedures for the protection of everyone on board,” Cunard said.

Any guests impacted by the requirement for supplementary oxygen, mechanical ventilatory support or dialysis will receive a full refund of monies paid to date for their bookings.

Passengers who have already completed a medical and accessibility questionnaire and advised of existing medical requirements that may prevent them from travelling under the new protocols have already been contacted by Cunard directly to discuss their options.

MEANWHILE, new requirements around face coverings and social distancing mean that guests travelling in a group are strongly advised to link their bookings.

The move will allow them to coordinate their onboard experience, with group sizes restricted to a maximum number allowed by UK Government guidelines at the time of sailing.

The linking of reservations must be done at the time of booking, with requests for travelling groups to be linked not able to be made after sailings depart.

Travel agents are being urged to make guests aware they need to ensure their bookings are linked with those of their travelling companions so that they are treated as a single group on board when considering the requirements for masks and social distancing once Cunard sailings recommence.