The Royal Caribbean Group is replacing one of the most important parts of a cruise vacation - the security drill - with Pattern 2.0, an entirely new approach to providing security information to guests. The innovative program, the first of its kind, transforms a process originally designed for large groups of people into a faster, more personal approach that promotes a higher level of security.
With Pattern 2.0, the key elements of the security exercise are made available to guests on an individual basis instead of following a group approach as in the past. This includes explaining what to expect in an emergency and where to go in an emergency, as well as instructions on how to properly use a life jacket. The new technology, eMuster , will help make the information available to guests via their mobile devices and interactive in-room televisions. Travelers can review the information at their own time before setting sail, eliminating the need for traditional large group gatherings. The new approach also enables everyone on board to maintain better distances when guests move around the ship, and it enables guests to enjoy more of their vacation without interruption.
After individually reviewing the safety information, guests will complete the exercise by visiting the assigned assembly station, where a crew member will check that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of these steps must be completed before the ship departs, as required by international maritime law.
'The health and safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and developing this new assembly process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process,' said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group. 'The fact that this also saves guests time and enables the ship to operate without a break means that we can increase health, safety and guest satisfaction at the same time.'
'Pattern 2.0 is a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests' vacation experience by eliminating points of friction,' said Jay Schneider, senior vice president of digital at Royal Caribbean Group. 'In this case, what is most convenient for our guests is the safest option given the need to redesign social spaces according to COVID-19.
This is the first dramatic change to the safety drill process in a decade - since Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas moved the life jackets from the guest cabins to the assembly stations, which has improved the evacuation process and has garnered widespread attention across the industry. For more than a year in development, Pattern 2.0 is an initiative that will only be part of the extensive set of protocols and procedures. This was developed by Royal Caribbean Group, together with the Healthy Sail Podium, which recently worked in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. was put together.
'This new process represents the kind of innovation that the Healthy Sail Podium is focusing on as part of its mission to improve the health and safety of cruises,' said Mike Leavitt, former Utah government official, co-chair of Healthy Sail Panel. 'It shows that if we try to think outside the box when it comes to safety, we can achieve a lot.'
'I would like to congratulate the Royal Caribbean Group on this innovative milestone. It is exactly what our industry needs in these unprecedented times and we appreciate the generous offer to participate in this innovation,' said Frank Del Rio, President and CEO , Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. 'In this industry, we all work together to improve health and safety, and this is an example.'
The concept of distributed patterning for ocean-going ships is patented in the United States and is pending in major markets around the world, including the various flag states of the cruise industry. The company has also worked with international regulators, the U.S. Coast Guard and other maritime and government agencies worked together to ensure that it met all security requirements.
In addition to introducing the new process on the ships of its own cruise lines - Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara - the Royal Caribbean Group is offering interested cruise operators, the pat
About Royal Caribbean Group
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a cruise vacation company comprising four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea. Royal Caribbean Group is also a 50% owner of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. Together, our brands operate 63 ships with an additional 16 on order as of July 10, 2020. Learn more at www.rclcorporate.com or www.rclinvestor.com
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