Cruise holidays STILL off the cards as UK government warns ban will continue

THE UK government is still banning all cruise holidays – despite the travel ban being lifted for 74 countries.

Last week, the government announced the full list of air bridge countries which would be exempt from the UK quarantine, due to come into place tomorrow (July 10).

Alamy

Cruises are still banned in the UK, the government has warned[/caption]

The travel ban was also lifted for a number of destinations including Spain, Greece and Turkey, since July 4.

Holidays are now back on the cards for many Brits who are looking at visiting Europe and further afield, with airlines resuming flights this month as well.

Cruise holidays, however, are not going to resume any time soon with the government still advising against them.

The current advice states: “The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.

“The government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.”

Alamy

The cruise ban will remain in place despite the air bridge list allowing holidays to 74 countries[/caption]

“If you have future cruise travel plans, you should speak to your travel operator, or the travel company you booked with, for further advice.

“The Foreign & Commonwealth Office continues to support the Department for Transport’s work with industry for the resumption of international cruise travel.”

A number of outbreaks on cruise ships during the pandemic has led to cruise liners suspending all sailings.

TUI’s Marella Cruises has extended its travel suspension until August 27, while Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean won’t sail again until September – with all dates likely to be pushed back again.

Carnival Cruises is to resume some European sailings from August – but Brits are still currently advised against cruising by the UK government.

A number of major cruise lines announced a suspension of operations out of all US ports will continue until at least September 15 due to the pandemic.

It is worth noting that the US is likely to remain off the UK’s travel list until much later in the year, meaning US-based cruises may not be possible for the upcoming months.

The EU has also issued a number of new regulations, advising additional cleaning procedures, reduced capacity and limited food and entertainment options for when cruises can go ahead again.