Carty on cruising
BRITAIN IS the centre of world cruising this summer as the global cruise industry begins to cast off and head out of port for voyage restart.
Our high level of vaccinations, absence of border issues and our willingness to get back to holidaying has meant that in the early part of the season many cruise lines have set sail for our shores.
Many were already here, their fleets at anchor with pared-down crews, just waiting for the right moment to resume.
Round-Britain cruises were already very popular before the pandemic. There is wonderful scenery to see, and cities like Liverpool, Glasgow, Belfast, Edinburgh and Newcastle offer a world-class range of shore excursions.
Now up to ten cruise lines are offering a variety of cruise types, with ships ranging from the maiden voyage of P&O’s super cruiser Iona to a host of smaller vessels. It will be a very busy UK cruise season.
Other traditional cruise areas will be gradually opening up, of course, but will be subject to some restrictions and the fluid situation of the pandemic. This also goes for the popular river cruising season.
Cruises have to be planned and scheduled a long way ahead and the full return of world cruising is being targeted for 2022 and 2023.
But cruising will be different. For instance, some lines will require travellers
