Health and Safety | Aurora Expeditions™

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Aurora Expeditions has carefully considered the potential impacts and risks to our expeditioners, staff, and crew associated with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and we have proactively implemented the following in depth policies and practices to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone. These measures have been put in place following consultation with The World Health Organization (WHO), IAATO*, AECO^, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), our marine healthcare partner, Vikand, and our crew management partner, CMI Leisure. These will be regularly revised in line with the latest medical advice, advancements and guidelines.

You can find the latest updates on our future voyages here. We look forward to welcoming our expeditioners back on board when it is responsible to do so.

Health Measures Book with Confidence

Screening & Testing

Fit to Travel

All expeditioners will be required to obtain a ‘Fit to Travel’ certification from their doctor before travelling with us, within 3 months of travel, which outlines any pre-existing medical conditions.

Pre-Boarding Questionnaire

Expeditioners will be required to complete two questionnaires - 72 hours before departing for your trip and another before boarding. Those travelling from/through known high risk COVID-19 affected areas or with acute illness will be denied boarding.

Temperature Checks

Thermal infra-red scanners will be used to check temperatures for all expeditioners and crew prior to boarding and during the voyage.

Influenza Testing

Influenza testing will be available for all expeditioners and crew as required.

COVID-19 Testing

Aurora Expeditions has installed on board the latest Point of Care diagnostic equipment which allows rapid testing of all expeditioners with high levels of accuracy.

All expeditioners will be asked to undertake a pre-voyage medical screening with a GP seven days prior to the voyage departure, and then as much as is possible, expeditioners are asked to self-isolate and limit social interaction from that screening until boarding the vessel. Expeditioners must also undertake a COVID-19 test 72 hours before embarkation and present proof of a negative result. On the day of embarkation, all expeditioners will be required to undergo another COVID-19 test, as well as additional health screening.

Once the voyage starts, there will be daily temperature checks for all on board and further testing may be required depending on the voyage. In the event an expeditioner presents with COVID-19 like symptoms, the person will be isolated and tested immediately for COVID-19.

Cleaning & Sanitation

Enhanced disinfection & fogging

All cabins, communal spaces and surfaces will be disinfected regularly using proven antiviral disinfectants and an appropriate virucidal. Baggage (outside surface only) will be disinfected prior to boarding using antiviral disinfectants.

Continuous cleaning

Continuous cleaning of frequent touch points including elevators, handrails, public furniture and fitness equipment, as well as intensive cleaning of cabins with the use of an appropriate virucidal.

Vessel deep cleaning

All vessels will undergo extensive cleaning in between voyages in accordance with Centre of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) protocols.

Enhanced sanitation

Increased sanitation practices and sanitisation stations are placed throughout the ship.

Enhanced crew sanitation training

All hospitality crew will be trained in the latest public health sanitation methods.

Ship Health & Safety Features

100% fresh air & no recirculation

Our vessels are new and have been built with the latest and highest standards of care, therefore each section of the ship, and each expeditioner's room/cabin has its own supply of fresh air.

The air is pumped directly into each room from outside the ship, which then flows from the room directly out of the ship again. This avoids any recirculation of air within the ship. Thus, each room of the ship has its own air-conditioning system, including isolation cabins and the ship’s medical clinic.

Dedicated isolation cabins

Comfortable stateroom cabins are allocated for expeditioners and crew who are required to isolate if necessary. These isolation cabins are conveniently located away from high-traffic areas as well as being fully sealed from the rest of the ship. Each cabin has been modified with negative pressure and supplied with 100% fresh sea air, pumped directly into each isolation cabin from outside the vessel, before flowing outside again, avoiding any recirculation of air elsewhere in the ship.

Onboard Protocols

Social distancing

Expeditioners will be required to observe social distancing measures as required based on protocols at the time and what is deemed appropriate.

Masks

Crew and staff will be required to wear masks in all public areas.

Hand sanitisers

Hand sanitisers will be widely available throughout the ship and provided in each cabin. Hand sanitisers with an appropriate virucidal will be in all main communal areas.

Full service meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be individually plated and served. There will be no buffets on board under the current medical protocols.

Infection control management processes

In the event that someone becomes ill with any symptoms, rigorous infection control management processes will be implemented.

Medical Team & Resources

Medical staff

An emergency medical physician/doctor and paramedic with current training in CDC public health protocols, outbreak prevention and management protocols will be aboard every voyage.

PPE for expeditioners & crew

If required, an adequate supply of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), used to prevent the spread of viruses, will be available for all expeditioners and crew. Masks will be available for each expeditioner, if they wish to wear one, and usage is encouraged.

Free medical consultations

Free medical consultations will be provided on board for anyone who becomes ill with any symptoms (initial consultations only).

Fully equipped medical clinic

Medical clinic with PCR testing facilities, the latest available medications for COVID-19 and emergency care equipment; with oxygen, cardiac monitoring capability and a ventilator.

*IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) is a member organisation founded in 1991 to promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic.

^AECO (Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) is an international association founded in 2003 to manage responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic.