Royal Caribbean International
The study was conducted at Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas in July 2020
The Royal Caribbean Group, in partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI), has published the results of a study on the transmission of aerosol particles through a cruise ship’s HVAC system on surfaces and in the air in Areas around the ship undetectable.
A team of five medical professionals specializing in bioaerosols participated in the study, which was led by Josh Santarpia, Associate Professor of Pathology and Microbiology at UNMC and Research Director for Chemical and Biological Programs at NSRI. Her research examined the effectiveness and efficiency of ship air management strategies as well as the study of air flow through different areas of the ship.
The researchers found that the transfer of aerosol particles between rooms through the ventilation system on surfaces and in the air was undetectable. However, the cruise company is adopting new techniques to further minimize the spread of particles based on the results of the study. The onboard settings are adjusted to allow the maximum air changes per hour and to update the entire system to filters with the minimum efficiency report 13. In addition, the Royal Caribbean Group has equipped its medical facilities with an independent ventilation system and highly efficient particulate air filters.
The cruise company, with the support of the Healthy Sail Panel, an expert group from the Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, worked with UNMC and NSRI to steer the cruise industry’s response to Covid-19. The study, conducted at Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas in July 2020, helped inform the Healthy Sail Panel’s 74 best practices in its 65-page report, presented in September.
Click here to read the full results of the study
