SARS hits Star

Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, has spread from southern China to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore and as far away as Canada. It has killed over 100 people and infected thousands. Asian cruise line Star Cruises has been affected. In early April, two of its crew on SuperStar Virgo were quarantined in Singapore and Malaysia hospitals for suspected SARS infection. The line promptly quarantined another 13 crew as an added precaution. One of the two suspected SARS cases turned out to be bronchitis.

Star?s immediate response included cancelling the two next cruises scheduled for SuperStar Virgo departing from Singapore ? a three-day/two-night weekend cruise scheduled to depart April 11 and a longer six-day/five-night cruise to Bangkok and Ko Samui scheduled to depart on April 13.

However it subsequently took the more dramatic long-term response of cancelling all present itineraries of SuperStar Virgo and SuperStar Leo for the months of April and May and April to July respectively. The Virgo hubs at Singapore and its sister SuperStar Leo at Hong Kong. Both places have been hit by SARS. The company has reployed the ships to Australia as of April 24.

Since the outbreak, many passengers booked on cruises decided to cancel their trip. Occupancy rates have plunged. For instance, Superstar Virgo when it arrived in Singapore on April 10 had just 625 passengers onboard. The vessel has a lower berth capacity of 1,966.

Initial steps

Star says that it has taken “every proactive and precautionary” measure within its capacity since the onset of SARS. Among the initial steps taken was the positioning of medical staff at embarkation check points to screen passengers. All embarking passengers were given a SARS Health Alert Flyer and Health Declaration Form.

Star Cruises? crew were also told to further increase their level of health and personal hygiene. The company says: “Star Cruises adopts a stringent health policy whereby all shipboard staff and crew are examined for medical fitness and issued with a medical fitness certificate.”

All shipboard crew were required to wear masks and passengers who wished to don masks could pick them up at either the reception or front desk.

Star Cruises? management also issued directives to all its captains, officers and crew to be vigilant in monitoring both passenger and crew behaviour and to report any suspected cases immediately.

At affected countries, social visitors were prevented from boarding the ship. Shore leave for crew in affected countries was also suspended.

The company emphasised that its two ships ? SuperStar Leo and SuperStar Virgo ? have onboard procedures and facilities for both crew and passengers, including isolation and quarantine areas with separate ventilation systems, which make them prepared for any medical emergency. The company also increased the number of its medical staff to cope with any eventualities.

“In the event of a SARS case being reported, the passenger/crew will be isolated and quarantined until the ship?s arrival in the next port-of-call where the victim will be further treated at a land-based hospital,” said Star. If necessary, an infected passenger was to be evacuated by helicopter.

Fresh air, it added, is available all over the ships and at the open-space decks. The air-conditioning system operates on a 100 per cent intake of fresh air instead of recycled air. Public places and commonly used areas and items onboard were also subjected to a more frequent and rigorous cleaning programme.

Star Cruises also convened a SARS Response Panel to meet regularly and monitor developments, culminating in the decision to cancel all itineraries on Leo and Virgo, despite taking all the above preventative measures.