SEATTLE — Holland America Line is making embarkation easier for guests by implementing facial recognition technology and a digital health app in all U.S., Canadian and European homeports.
mBark is a mobile system that allows guests to check in for their cruise in less than 10 seconds, while the VeriFLY digital walled for COVID-19 credentials offers a proven solution for proof of vaccination and test results.
On the new technology, Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said: “Holland America lIne continues to look for ways that make the cruising experience better for our guests as we navigate protocols and best practices for today’s travellers. We recently completed testing with VeriFLY and mBark on a few sailings and the most common comment from guests was, ‘That’s it?’ because it’s so fast and efficient.”
With mBark facial recognition, guests who load their photo and all necessary pre-travel information to Holland America’s website prior to embarkation will be able to use the touchless system. Following a quick face scan, guests can move through the check-in process in about 10 seconds, significantly reducing embarkation time. London-based SKO Systems designed and implemented mBark for Holland America.
VeriFLY, available for download at Google Play and the Apple App Store, gives guests the option to upload the required information to the app, including proof of vaccination and test results, allowing them to go through the screening process prior to arrival at the terminal. Once registration is complete, guests simply need to show the VeriFLY QR code or ‘pass’ (digital or printed) to the check-in agent.
Carnival Cruise Line, also part of the Carnival Corporation, rolled out the VeriFLY app earlier this month across its fleet, for all ships in U.S. homeports.
VeriFLY launched on Holland America’s Rotterdam in March and will now roll out to other ships in the fleet by the end of March and begin with the remaining ships as they return to cruising. mBark will also launch with ships as they return to service and will begin in other embarkation ports as the ships move to new cruising regions.
