Holland America Line is rolling out a facial-recognition program to offer guests faster and touchless embarkation. The optional mBark program requires guests to upload a photo and pre-travel information to Holland America Line’s website before embarkation. The software will then recognize guests’ faces, allowing them to move through the check-in process more quickly.
According to the cruise line, mBark allows guests to check in for embarkation in 10 seconds. Currently, the service is only for checking in. Key cards will still be needed to get on or off the ship.
The line is also using Verifly, a digital wallet for Covid-19 credentials. VeriFLY gives guests the option to upload the required information to the app, including proof of vaccination and test results, providing a way 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. VeriFLY has a successful record of serving dozens of airlines, cruise lines, hotels and a variety of industries.
The cruise line launched Verifly on the Rotterdam this month and will expand the service to other ships in the fleet by the end of March. Sister line Carnival has rolled out Verifly across its fleet.
“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 travelers,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “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.”
VeriFLY launched on 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 also will launch with ships as they return to service and will begin in other embarkation ports as the ships move to new cruising regions.
