Adapting and recovering from the Pandemic in the Workplace & the Cruise Industry

Even after two years, we continue to face the ups and downs of the pandemic here in Puerto Rico. We recently welcomed back cruise ships to the island, but there is still a lot to be done to get the industry as a whole back on its feet economically. The process of getting back to normal has been a slow one, both for large and small businesses, but especially for cruise companies. I say it has been a slow recovery because now these companies have to analyze what is their best strategy to grab the consumer's attention, post-pandemic. (Nilson, 2022)

The cruise industry is eagerly expected to recover and regain its stability, and in turn get the tourism industry back to how it was before the pandemic, but there are still many hurdles to overcome to get there. Between 2019 and 2021, several companies chose to withdraw some of their ships to reduce costs. And during 2021, when the industry was gradually returning to normality, another outbreak of a new variant of COVID-19 known as Omicron was unleashed, slowing down the process of recuperation. This resulted in a very strong economic blow for the industry. At the moment approximately 17 new scheduled cruises are expected for this year. So hopefully that's the big push we need for the entire industry that's been hit hard. (Nilson, Cruise in 2022: the state of the industry, 2022)

A small detail that is harder to avoid these days are the health protocols that are being implemented in most destinations people visit.  Those searching for more information can consult the CDC web page for notices, information, traveling recommendations, and selected transportation methods. (COVID 19 Travel Health Information, 2022) It is highly recommended to verify with the selected travel company the safety regulations and protocols of your destination. In any case, continuing to use a mask, disinfectant and social distancing is always recommended anywhere you travel. Here in Puerto Rico, many stores still require the use of a face mask and to continue to practice the basics of sanitation, such as the use of disinfectant and social distancing, even though it is no longer mandated by law, it is suggested to do so for safety reasons.

Now, what remains is to see the results if all the changes and adjustments that have been applied are successful. We know the world economy has been hit hard and it will not be an easy recovery for all types of businesses, cruise lines included. Some may recover, others may continue to be on the brink of improvement, and some may be trying to keep up with their payments if they had borrowed money. But now that things are slowly getting better, we just have to wait, be patient, and hopefully things will get better.

References

COVID 19 Travel Health Information. (2022). Retrieved from CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/

Nilson, P. (2022, February 21). Cruise in 2022: the state of the industry. Retrieved from Ship Technology: https://www.ship-technology.com/analysis/cruise-in-2022-the-state-of-the-industry/

Nilson, P. (2022, February 23). What’s on the horizon for the cruise industry? Retrieved from Ship Technology: https://www.ship-technology.com/analysis/whats-on-the-horizon-for-the-cruise-industry/