The Procon of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Procon-RJ) notified today (4) MSC Cruzeiros and Costa Cruzeiros to provide clarifications after news about Covid-19 outbreaks aboard vessels operating off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
The autarchy’s legal director, Silvio Romero, says that the main issue refers to the measures taken by companies to prevent the disease from spreading and, given what happened, what will be the measures to guarantee the consumer’s rights.
Romero questions, for example, what will be the alternatives for the consumer who had the trip interrupted, if he will have the money back, if there is the possibility of rescheduling; if the person who still has the trip booked is being informed in advance about the situation, if the trip is maintained, even when he has the option to confirm the trip; in case of cancellation, how long will it be refunded, if companies have offered credit and if the consumer has chosen, how long will he be able to use it?
“We want companies to clarify all these issues relating to consumer rights,” said the director of Procon-RJ.
Upon receipt of the notification, companies will have ten days to respond to Procon-RJ.
Other information
MSC and Costa Cruzeiros must also inform the local authority how many cruises are planned for the 2021/2022 season and how many are routed through the state of Rio de Janeiro. According to Romero, the emergence of Covid-19 cases was expected.
In this regard, companies will have to say what plan they had drawn up because it was not efficient, since there was a momentary interruption of the season, determined by the health authorities. What companies are preparing for the future is another question that companies will have to clarify.
Other questions are: does the company provide customer service channels for quick, clear and transparent communication to travelers waiting for ships to depart at ports? How is the confirmation of boarding or cruise cancellation communicated to the consumer?
If there has been an epidemiological occurrence caused by covid-19 on any vessel, how was the service, assistance and service provided to infected passengers, as well as uninfected consumers, during the quarantine period on the ship? Is there a contingency plan in case of an outbreak of covid-19 cases on board operating vessels?
According to Romero, the notification is intended to verify that the consumer’s rights are guaranteed. He said that, so far, there is no news that the rights are being violated.
“We are monitoring the situation and the conduct of companies. If an infringement of the consumer’s right is verified, an administrative proceeding may be instituted and, in the end, after the defense of the companies, a fine may be established. According to the Consumer Protection Code, the fine may have a variable value that extends to a maximum of R$ 10 million, in the last case.”
Armação dos Búzios
Yesterday (3), the municipal secretaries of Armação dos Búzios, which is part of the cruises itinerary in the state of Rio de Janeiro, met with representatives of the Brazilian Association of Cruise Ships (Clia Brasil) and the National Health Surveillance Agency ( Anvisa) to learn about the new procedures to be followed in the suspension of ship operations.
The meeting was attended by the secretaries of Tourism, Dom de Búzios; of Health, Leonidas Heringer; and Security and Public Order, Sérgio Ferreira. It was decided to suspend the operation of ships in the city until the 21st of this month.
Clia Brasil announced, also yesterday, the immediate suspension of operations in Brazilian ports until that date, due to several cases of covid-19 identified on ships in the current season, of which 28 on the Preziosa vessel, which docked last Sunday ( 2) at the Port of Rio, from Búzios.
The cruises that are currently in navigation will finish their itineraries according to the foreseen schedule.
Reference: CNN Brasil
I am Sophia william, author of World Stock Market. I have a degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and I have worked as a reporter for several news websites. I have a passion for writing and informing people about the latest news and events happening in the world. I strive to be accurate and unbiased in my reporting, and I hope to provide readers with valuable information that they can use to make informed decisions.
