Cunard Line has followed its sister lines P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises by announcing new UK-only cruises offering a staycation experience in coastal waters.
Cunard Line Offers UK Staycation Voyages
With the cruise industry in the UK set to open up from May 17, 2021, cruise lines can start planning with domestic offerings. This includes Carnival-owned Cunard Line, which will sail new UK staycation voyages.
Also Read: P&O Offers UK Only Cruises But Causes Further Cancellations
Cunard will be offering the UK cruises out of Southampton on Queen Elizabeth this summer. More specific details on the itineraries will be released later in March 2021. The vessel will sail in British coastal waters where UK residents only will be able to enjoy that great British sunshine!
Simon Palethorpe, president, Cunard, said:
“With the UK Government confirming that domestic travel is close on the horizon, we are introducing a series of exciting, shorter duration holidays for British residents looking for the perfect staycation in Cunard luxury this summer.”
“These will be sailings from Southampton, for UK residents, around the UK and will make the very most of the summer sunshine.”
Regular Cruises Must Make Way
Even with the excitement of new UK staycation cruises, there is a downside. It means that the regular international sailings scheduled for this summer will need to be cancelled.
Palethorpe added:
“However, with international travel restrictions still in place, we unfortunately need to cancel a number of departures. We know how much everyone is desperately looking forward to longed-for holidays overseas, so to all affected by this news, I am sincerely sorry for the disappointment this will cause.”
So here are those impacted sailings:
- Sailings on Queen Victoria are now cancelled for departures up to and including August 27, 2021.
- Queen Elizabeth’s summer Mediterranean fly cruise season and all departures up to and including October 11, 2021 are cancelled.Â
- Queen Mary 2’s current program is affected by a number of factors and all departures up to and including November 12, 2021 are cancelled.
Impacted guests will receive compensation for their cancelled cruise in the form of a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) worth 125%. The credit can be used by the end of December 2021 on any future cruise at the time of the rebooking. A full refund can also alternatively be requested if guests no longer want to take a future cruise with Cunard.
The UK Cruise Industry to Restart
A number of UK-based cruise line have now teased new Uk-only sailings from this Summer and this comes after the government is set to allow domestic cruises from may 17, 2021.
Related: Domestic Cruises in the UK Can Resume From May 17
With a set date now in the mix, it means cruise lines can plan for the year and start preparing the ships. There will, of course, be strict health measures in place to make sure guests and crew remain safe.
The UK cruise industry will be the first in the world to officially resume operations on a major scale. We now only hope the U.S. can follow.
