ons at sea
Domestic cruises look set to steal the show this summer, but who’s sailing where? Laura French gets the lowdown
DESTINATIONS CRUISE | UK & IRELAND
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rom rugged cliffs and remote islands to heritage- rich towns and culture-filled cities, there’s plenty to discover across every inch of the British Isles –
but if clients have already done the classic staycations, it might be time to explore from another perspective. All hail the domestic cruise. When it was announced last month that cruises could set sail at the same time as domestic tourism restarts – scheduled for May 17 – the industry was quick to respond, launching summer sailings left, right and centre. Demand was immediate. After P&O Cruises launched its UK sailings, Iglu Cruise reported its highest volume of online bookings since the start of the Covid crisis; Cunard said it had its busiest booking day in a decade after putting its voyages on sale on March 31; and all but one of Saga Cruises’ British Isles itineraries have already sold out. So how can you get in on this lucrative sector before
it’s too late? We’ve put together a guide to help you wise up on what’s what, from ports of call and shore excursions to sailing dates and boarding requirements.
CELEBRITY CRUISES Departing from: Southampton. When: From July 3. The details: Celebrity will be operating its just-renovated Silhouette on a series of six to eight-night itineraries. Ports of call include Liverpool, Portland in Dorset, Belfast, Inverness, Greenock (Glasgow) and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands. While independent exploration won’t be allowed initially, there’ll be a range of shore excursions, from wine tasting on the Jurassic Coast to bread-making at an 18th-century Irish cottage (at extra cost).
Vaccination required? Yes, for adults. Crew will also have been vaccinated. Children allowed? Yes; under-18s need a negative PCR test. Book it: A seven-night cruise visiting Inverness, Kirkwall and Greenock starts at £1,299, departing August 21. The line has added an Always Included deal, meaning Wi-Fi, drinks and service fees are part of the package.
celebritycruises.com
CUNARD Departing from: Southampton. When: From July 19. The details: Cunard is running a series of three to 12-night scenic coastal voyages from Southampton between July and October, taking in the Jurassic Coast, Land’s End, the Isle of Arran, Mull of Kintyre and Sound of Mull. Four will also be stopping at ports – including Liverpool, Greenock, Invergordon, Belfast, Newcastle and Holyhead – and there will be three ‘unscripted’ Sun Voyages, which won’t call at any ports but will instead sail to wherever is sunniest at the time. Vaccination required? Yes, for all passengers. Children allowed? Yes. Book it: A four-night scenic British Isles Voyage costs from £499; a seven-night Sun Voyage starts at £699.
cunard.com
DISNEY CRUISE LINE Departing from: Liverpool (from July), Southampton (from August), Newcastle and Tilbury (from September).
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travelweekly.co.uk 22 APRIL 2021 23
PICTURE: Shutterstock/Virrage Images
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