We have had to wait a a year for the pandemic gloom to lift, and at last the good news has been coming thick and fast for UK cruisers over the past couple of weeks as cruise lines roll out programmes of summer voyages around the British Isles.
It means that from late May until September we will be dusting off our suitcases to board ship at a variety of English ports and head off on a scenic cruise or one with several stops.
Here’s our rundown of WHO is going WHERE and WHEN.
MSC Cruises is offering a range of cruises for vaccinated and non-vaccinated UK holidaymakers only, starting on 20 May.
The MSC Magnifica programme from Southampton kicks off with a series of short cruises and will be followed by 7-night sailings to some of the UK’s favourite destinations and offering additional ports of embarkation. Further details will be announced shortly.
www.msccruises.co.uk
Viking will sail a three-cruise England’s Scenic Shores series of cruises on 22 and 29 May and 5 June departing Portsmouth on the brand new Viking Venus.
The cruises, calling at Liverpool, Tresco in the Isles of Scilly, Falmouth and Portland, are only available to UK residents.
www.viking.com
Fred Olsen’s Welcome Back programme of summer cruises start on 5 July.
The 11-cruise programme features scenic-only cruises and those with ports of call featured aboard its smaller ships.
Departures will be from Dover and Liverpool, taking in the best of the British Isles, including the Shetland, Orkney and the Isles of Scilly.
www.fredolsencruises.com
Iona will anchor off her namesake island on her maiden cruise around the Scottish islands
From June to September P&O Cruises is offering Ultimate Escape short breaks and week-long around the UK coast cruises from Southampton on Britannia and new ship Iona.
Iona’s maiden season seven-night voyage around the Scottish islands will anchor off Iona, the island after which she was named.
Between 27 June and 19 September Britannia will offer three and four-night breaks and one six-night holiday. Iona offers seven night itineraries running from 7 August to 18 September.
The cruises go on sale on 22 March.
www.pocruises.com
Princess Cruises’ series of all-inclusive short breaks and week-long cruises around the UK coast set sail over August and September from Southampton.
There are 14 Regal Princess voyages from 31 July to 23 September and eight Sky Princess cruises from 30 August to 28 September.
The choice of scenic cruises and voyages with stops at Liverpool, Belfast and Greenock go on sale on 24 March.
www.princesscruises.co.uk
Cunard will offer a series of UK voyages on Queen Elizabeth, providing a staycation opportunity for British guests. More details will be revealed later this month.
www.cunard.com