“Odyssey of the Seas will be the third cruise ship we deliver during the pandemic. This is a tremendous achievement that is only possible due to the far-sighted and responsible actions of all people at the shipyard and on board,” said Thomas Weigend, Managing Director of Meyer Werft.

Technical and nautical trials in the North Sea are part of the program, which follows the newbuild's recent River Ems conveyance.

Following the completion of the test program, the new cruise ship is scheduled to return to Bremerhaven. Meanwhile, final interior work on board is underway in preparation for the Odyssey of the Seas' delivery to the shipping company in a few weeks.

The shipyard, manufacturers, cruise shipping company, and classification society are all working together to ensure the ship's successful completion.

The safety principle of extensive protective measures on board, according to Meyer Werft, includes, among other items, a task force to provide assistance on board in order to carry out and introduce additional measures at short notice. The aim is to cut back on the amount of contacts even further.

The hundreds of people on board are also being screened for antibodies on a regular basis. New arrivals are only eligible to board if they can show a PCR exam that is less than 48 hours old.

All passengers are required to adhere to strict hygiene measures and distances on board, as well as to keep touch to a bare minimum.

Maritime Business World