Maritime Minister Robert Courts has informed MPs that the Government is working to launch domestic cruises in the UK, with cruises between English ports likely to be permitted from May 17th and many travel restrictions being eased. Other sources indicate that Scotland has not yet expressed support, so we may see, at least initially, only non-stop mini-cruises.
Courts said this measure would help the cruise industry restore confidence and demonstrate the strength of its protocols for passengers and crew. Among the measures included in the protocols, crew members will be required to undergo testing and a two-week quarantine on board the ship before passengers can embark.
The announcement comes days after P&O Cruises, Britain's leading cruise line, canceled all its international trips for the summer and said it would instead run short cruises around the UK.
Since the beginning of March 2020, a warning from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs against traveling on international cruises has been in effect, but it would not apply to domestic cruises.
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport commented: “We are committed to resuming cruise travel when it is safe to do so, and we are working closely with the industry to prepare for a safe and successful restart.”
“The resumption of domestic cruising in England would coincide with the resumption of domestic tourism and the reopening of hospitality.”
“As outlined in the Prime Minister’s roadmap, the earliest possible date for this step is May 17.” Since announcing his roadmap, Boris Johnson had consistently maintained that April 12 and May 17 were the earliest possible dates for reopening self-catering accommodation in England and resuming international travel, respectively. Johnson’s response at the Downing Street briefing appeared to confirm that the lifting of restrictions would indeed occur on those dates.
