Hello all,
We are all very aware of the current outbreak of Covid-19, also known as the Corona virus. Nobody knows exactly how this situation will develop further, but international travel, including the cruise industry, is clearly being affected at this moment. However, life goes on and there is no reason to panic. Don’t get carried away by sensational headlines in the press and the abundancy of fake news on social media.
Travel restrictions
There are travel restrictions for crew and passengers departing from specific countries, such as South-Korea, Italy and China. Proship is in touch with all cruise lines continuously and will contact any affected musicians the moment that anything changes for them. Some embarkation/disembarkation ports may need to be changed for example. We are in contact with all individuals who will be affected by travel restrictions as they are known to us at this moment.
Will I be safe on the ship?
All cruise lines are taking preventive measures to ensure that both passengers and crew are not exposed to any unnecessary risks during travel and onboard. They will not take any chances in a situation like this, both with regards to passengers and crew.
Will my contract be cancelled? If so, what happens next?
If you have any questions regarding your upcoming contract, it is best to contact your booking agent directly. Cruise lines have different policies in place and your agent will be able to inform you on your specific situation.
How will the virus continue to affect the cruise industry?
If only we knew! The cruise industry is strong and very resilient though; just look how quickly it recovered from 9/11 in 2001, which had major consequences for many cruise lines. It will continue to be one of the few places where you can play virtually every night, work on your skills, see the world and get paid for it.
In the meantime, let’s wash our hands regularly while we keep on moving forward with our music careers!
We are here to answer your questions and are looking forward to hearing from you.
Pieter van Hoogdalem
CEO Proship Entertainment Inc.
