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Marella Cruises confirms September 3 restart of overseas sailings

Marella Cruises claims it will be the first British cruise line to restart fly-cruises, with its first sailing from Corfu on September 3.

Passengers can fly from Gatwick and will visit Greek islands such as Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete on Marella Discovery (pictured).

The line has now confirmed plans for its international cruise return, which were announced last month. It follows last week’s confirmation that a ban on international cruises, in place since last July, was to be lifted from England from August 2.

Chris Hackney, Tui UK and Ireland managing director of cruise, said: “The decision to lift the ban on international cruising is great news for the industry.

“Following the safe and successful launch of domestic cruising it’s exciting to know cruise ships can begin to sail internationally very soon.

“Our domestic cruises have received some fantastic customer feedback and we will continue to operate these from Southampton and Newcastle in August before we return to international cruises in September from our homeports in the UK and Corfu.”

The cruise line has launched discounts to mark the news that international cruising can resume and to encourage bookings.

Clients can save up to £900 per couple on seven-night fly cruises departing between September 3 and October 24.

Those aged 18 and older will be required to have had both Covid-19 jabs at least 14 days before travelling. Under 18-year-olds will be asked to have a lateral flow test, and infants under the age of two will not be able to sail as they are exempt from testing.

Marella Explorer will offer a seven-night Cosmopolitan Classics cruise, departing from Palma, Majorca, and visiting ports in Italy, France and Spain. Marella Explorer 2 offers seven-night Continental Coasts sailings from Malaga, which visit a range of destinations in Spain.

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