The Foreign Office (FCDO) has lifted its advice against international cruising with effect from 2 August 2021. The news puts international cruise holidays back on the horizon this summer.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the end of the longstanding ban on international ocean cruise from England on Wednesday, ending advice against cruise ship travel that had been in place since July 2020, allowing cruising from Southampton 2023 to restart next month.
The news follows the successful resumption of domestic cruises around the UK in May. In an interview with the BBC, Richard Ballantyne, chief executive at the British Ports Association (BPA), said UK domestic cruises had demonstrated how ports and cruise lines “could ensure the health and safety of passengers, crew and destinations”.
Cruise lines are expected to announce international cruises from the UK soon.
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Although the FCDO has lifted its ban on international cruise travel, is it still the case that travel advisories against travel to certain countries still apply, even if cruising?
These advisories make travel insurance very difficult to buy, especially when travelling outside of Europe. It also means that if your itinerary visits multiple countries, and just one country has a travel advisory in place for cv19 then the insurer won't cover anything.
Would be interested to hear your comments.
Hi Martin, we appreciate the difficulties regarding insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. If a travel ban to a certain area is in place, then the cruise lines do have to follow this guidance. Hopefully now international cruising has been given the go ahead, restrictions do start easing. Thank you.
My husband and I are booked on the Iona on 9th October,shall we have to pay for covid tests.
Good morning Joan,
All guests are required to provide a negative COVID-19 test at the terminal; the cost of both the COVID-19 test at the terminal and the PCR test will be complimentary.
I hope this answers your question. If you need any further guidance, I've copied the link to P&O Cruises' latest updates if you need anything else.
https://www.pocruises.com/cruise-with-confidence/your-holiday-experience
transatlantics. Are uk allowed to cruise for 14 days or more and then enter USA. Have read the Government advice on USA and it would seem yes.
Good morning Pat,
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the USA at the moment. For the most up to date info please see http://www.gov.uk for current travel updates.
Will the IONA be fully occupied for the cruise January 15th and will restrictions still be in place?
Good morning Maureen,
P&O Cruises are taking extra precautions and are following the guidance and advice from the relevant government bodies, so at this moment it's too early to say for January at this stage. For restrictions still being in place, again this will be the same, as you know advice and restrictions are changing monthly, so we will keep you informed in due course.
Does this mean that the Iona's first international cruise on the 25th September 2021 to Spain and Portugal will now definitely go ahead.
Good morning Ronald,
As far as we're aware Iona's cruise is still scheduled to go ahead on 25 September 2021. If anything changes, we'll be sure to let all our guests aware at the earliest opportunity.
Are you allowed to do a fly cruise from August 2nd?
Good Morning Jo,
Yes, you are able to do a fly-cruise, if you'd like to look at anything for you, please don't hesitate to give our Cruise Experts a call on 01246 819 819.