The Department for Transport has confirmed that Foreign Office advice against “sea-going” international cruises also applies to domestic cruises in UK waters.
The updated guidance referred specifically to international travel, raising hopes that domestic cruises would be excluded.
However, the Department for Transport confirmed: “Whilst FCO travel advice applies to cruises outside the UK, based upon Public Health England’s risk assessment of the cruise environment, this advice also applies to domestic sea-going cruises within UK waters.”
It added: “The advice is kept under constant review and government will continue to work closely with the cruise industry on restart plans.”
Anthony Daniels, general manager for UK and EMEA, said: “We are working with the authorities; the short breaks remain on sale, with the reassurance to customers of a full refund if sailings are cancelled.”
He added: “We are encouraged by the news coming from the UK government regarding travel advice for cruise ships. We look forward to further, positive discussions with Department for Transport and PHE over the safe return of expedition cruising, with a specific focus on Hurtigruten’s short breaks series in UK waters departing in September.”
Following the update to the FCO advice on Thursday, Andy Harmer, Clia UK & Ireland director, said: “We are seeing a gradual, phased-in approach to resumption of cruise operations across Europe, initially domestic and regional. Clia is continuing its constructive dialogue with the Department for Transport and Public Health England to finalise the road map to resumption of international cruise travel.”