UK set to reopen international cruise sector

Thursday, July 29, 2021

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps recently confirmed a ban on international cruises docking in the UK will be lifted. The policy has been in place since last July, and is due to be lifted on August 2. The move comes as part of UK’s latest decision to remove quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers from the United States and European Union able to skip quarantine requirements.

Shapps mentioned that the government and cruise industry have signed a “breakthrough memorandum understanding,” to help the sector build back from Covid-19. He mentioned that the new rules would also continue to protect British nationals from future pandemic-related disruption.

He shared that the country has taken great strides to reopen international travel and this is another important step forward. He stated that the UK will continue to be guided by the latest scientific data but due to the world-leading domestic vaccination programme, the country can look to the future and start to rebuild key transatlantic routes with the US while further cementing ties with our European neighbours.

The resumption of international cruises follows the successful restart of domestic trips earlier this year. Cruise lines have been sailing round Britain with enhanced protocols. Since last summer, around 800,000 people have sailed on cruises around the world, according to industry figures, demonstrating the “effectiveness” of the industry-wide protocols.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has also welcomed the announcement that cruise lines can once again operate international sailings.  The framework protocols agreed with the government will apply to international cruises. This means, for example, the current practice of 100 per cent testing of guests on UK domestic cruising will apply to international sailings.

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