Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 6 0 Regal Princess is one of the two Royal-class Princess Cruises vessels that will be sailing cruises from Southampton for the first time in 2021 EUROPE: V IEWPOINT Cruising closer to home The implementation of enhanced health and safety protocols, mass vaccine distribution programmes and itineraries to nearby destinations is boosting UK guests’ confidence in cruising A lthough the world is still facing the challenges presented by the global Covid-19 crisis, 2021 brings hope to many who are looking forward to the time when we can travel once again. It has almost been a year since the cruise industry came to a halt, as lines across the globe voluntarily paused operations. Since that time, cruise lines have been working tirelessly to identify solutions for a safe return to sea. Cruise lines, working closely through Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), have been laying down a framework of best practices and policies that will ensure cruising can be as safe a holiday – if not more so – than other travel alternatives. With much pent-up demand from the UK market, and the nation’s mass vaccination programme helping to build consumer confidence, cruise lines are reporting strong bookings from UK passengers for 2021. When cruise lines start to resume operations, it will be done in a gradual and phased-in manner, with ships taking guests to nearby regions such as the British Isles, Norway and Scandinavia. At Princess Cruises, bookings for our round-Britain and Baltic itineraries are doing incredibly well as guests feel more confident travelling closer to home. The draw of being able to start and finish a holiday from the UK is particularly appealing to our guests this year, aided by the fact that we will have two of our Royal-class ships homeported in Southampton, England for the 2021 season. They include Sky Princess – one of our newest ships to join the fleet – and Regal Princess. The cruise industry’s top priority has always been the health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit. To plan our business, Princess Cruises is in active conversations with By Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises and CLIA UK & Ireland