After a 16-months break, international cruises will be able to start again from England, beginning from August 2.
As per the UK government, people arriving at the UK ports who have been fully vaccinated in the US and the EU will also not have to quarantine.
All major industry bodies have said that the travel agencies, hotels, tour guides, port operators and other firms would benefit from the restarting of cruises.
The transport secretary announced that the UK government was “able to confirm the restart of international cruises and flexible testing programmes to help key workers and drive our economic recovery”.
Domestic cruises have been allowed to run from May but international cruises have been prohibited.
The government said that international cruise travel advice “will be amended to encourage travellers to understand the risks associated with cruise travel and take personal responsibility for their own safety abroad”.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has welcomed the Government’s announcement that cruise lines can once again operate international sailings.
The hugely profitable business was brought to its knees by Covid after regulators around the world stopped ships from sailing to try and limit outbreaks.
The resumption of international cruise follows the successful restart of domestic cruises earlier this year. Cruise lines have been sailing round Britain with enhanced protocols that go beyond any other travel sector operating today.
Since last summer, around 800,000 people have sailed on cruises around the world, demonstrating the effectiveness of the industry-wide protocols.
CLIA Managing Director for UK & Ireland, Andy Harmer, said: “The decision to allow the restart of international cruise is very good news for the industry. The success of this summer’s round Britain cruises has led the way.
“The cruise industry has worked intensively during the last 18 months in collaboration with the Government, health authorities, ports, and other industry bodies to develop enhanced protocols that protect guests, crew, and the destinations we visit.
“The industry looks forward to welcoming guests back onboard to visit international destinations.”
The UK cruise industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to a phased, responsible resumption. No other form of travel provides such high transparency of reporting, providing consumers with reassurance that they can sail with confidence.
The framework protocols agreed with the UK Government will apply to international cruises, and will also complement the global CLIA Member Policy for all ocean-going cruise line members. For example, the current practice of 100% testing of guests on UK domestic cruising will apply to international sailings.
P&O Cruises has already reacted to the news by saying that the cruise line is “absolutely delighted.”
“The Britannia has been sailing UK coastal cruises since the end of June and the Iona’s maiden voyage is on Aug. 7,” said President Paul Ludlow.
“Our international cruise holidays on both ships are set to start from Sept. 25 with the Britannia sailing to the Mediterranean and the Iona to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands. This is the news we have been working towards and cannot wait to welcome you back onboard,” he added.
Virginia Messina, WTTC Senior Vice President and Acting CEO, said: “The Travel & Tourism sector – and the UK economy – will get a huge boost following news that fully-vaccinated US and EU visitors will at last be able to travel quarantine-free to England.
“The cruise industry will breathe a sigh of relief that the crucial relaunch of international cruise departures from England has been given the green light, giving hope to a sector which has struggled to stay afloat.