Last week, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued guidance advising UK citizens against travelling on cruise ships for the foreseeable future.
UK-based P&O Cruises, part of the Carnival Group, had already suspended sailings until mid-October and other UK operators had postponed sailings well into September.
However recently, Norwegian small ship operator Hurtigruten announced plans to launch sailings around the UK and Ireland from 2nd September having re-started its Norwegian coastal service.
Royal Caribbean and Carnival had also planned to resume sailings during September.
The UK FCO said it would “continue to review” its position on cruises, which it claimed was “based on medical advice” from Public Health England.
It said it “continues to support the (UK) Department for Transport’s work with industry for the resumption of international cruise travel.”
In March, the FCO advised UK citizens aged 70 and over, and those with underlying health conditions, to avoid cruise ships.
In stark contrast, German cruise ship operators Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, TUI Cruises and AIDA Cruises have announced plans to resume sailings from German ports, starting at the end of this month.
However, the cruises offered will be of a short duration, only allow German guests to embark and will not call at ports in other countries.
