Tag Archives: Department for Transport

CRUISE LINES MOVE CUSTOMERS TO OBEY GOVT CAPACITY LIMITS

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Cruise lines have begun moving customers over to future sailings to stay within government capacity limits after restrictions on the number of guests allowed on board were extended.

The Department for Transport confirmed on Tuesday (15 June) rules capping guest numbers on domestic cruises at 1,000 people or 50% of ship capacity, (whichever is lower), could remain in place until 19 July.

Limits were due to be lifted on 21 June under the next stage of the government’s “unlocking roadmap” but a four-week delay was announced by Boris Johnson at the start of the week.

In response, lines have taken steps to stay within the regulations and have been contacting customers about switching sailings to later in the summer.

In a statement on Friday (18 June) Royal Caribbean International said it had been “working collaboratively” with the UK government in the build-up to its return to UK service next month and that its “guest capacity and protocols on board are all in line with the current recommendations”.

“In line with the most recent government announcement, unfortunately, we had to move some guests on our first sailings to a future sailing later in the season. We are excited to sail and can’t wait to welcome our first guests onboard,” the line added.

Royal’s announcement followed that by Fred Olsen, whose director of product and customer service, Clare Ward, said as the line “had already planned to sail with a reduced capacity” for its initial programme of Welcome Back itineraries, “only a small number of bookings were affected, and only on one sailing”.

“We contacted all guests on the affected cruise, giving them the opportunity to move to one of our other, longer, British Isles sailings. This offer was well received, and as such we do not need to make any further changes in light of the extension to restrictions,” said Ward.

Earlier in the week, MSC Cruises also confirmed plans to switch guests over to future sailings, saying in a statement “a number of UK guests who have booked a cruise departing after 21 June but before 19 July may need to be assisted to rebook on a sailing departing after the restriction is removed”.

MSC said it was “disappointed” with the government’s delay in easing restrictions in England and “had fully expected” measures to be lifted.

“Whilst still seeking further clarifications from the relevant authorities and continuing to monitor for developments, the company will initially begin by contacting those affected guests due to embark between 23 June and 26 June,” the line said.

MSC said it had adopted “a fair criterion based on the earlier date of booking” so the first 1,000 guests booked would keep their places on board.

“MSC Cruises looks forward to the eventual easing of Covid restrictions in the UK so cruising can play a bigger role in the vital restart of British tourism and its contribution to the economy, and it can offer more UK residents that safe and richly deserved holiday option this summer,” the line added.

Government commits to testing ‘to open up international travel’

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The launch of a Global Travel Taskforce ‘to open up international travel and boost our business’ has been confirmed.
It will consider how a testing regime for international arrivals could be implemented to boost safe travel to and from the UK, what steps can be taken to facilitate business and leisure travel through testing and non-testing means and how to increase consumer confidence to support the recovery of international travel.


The current rules around the 14-day self-isolation policy remain in place.
The task force was launched in collaboration between the Department for Transport and the Department of Health and Social Care which said they have been working with clinicians, health experts and the private testing sector on the practicalities of testing international arrivals.


They said the next step is to develop an “operationalised approach” to “work at pace with industry on implementation” of testing and to “identify options to reduce the self-isolation period while protecting public health”.
The task force will look at the feasibility of a single test taken after a period of self-isolation, provided by the private sector and at the cost of the passenger.


It will work with medical experts to better understand when a test should be taken based on the progression of the disease and with the private sector to ensure testing for international arrivals does not impact on NHS capacity.


Alternative testing models, including pilots with partner countries to determine whether self-isolation could be undertaken pre-departure, will also be explored.
The taskforce will be jointly chaired by the secretary of state for health, Matt Hancock, and transport secretary Grant Shapps, who first made the announcement via Twitter after a series of newspapers carried the story on Wednesday morning.


In the official announcement, Shapps said: “The current measures at the border have saved lives. Our understanding of the science now means we can intensify efforts to develop options for a testing regime and help reinvigorate our world-leading travel sector.
“This new task force will not only help us move towards safer, smoother international travel as we continue to battle this virus but will also support global connectivity – helping facilitate more covid secure travel whilst protecting the population from imported cases.”
On Twitter, he said: “Following agreement from medical experts, we are moving ahead with the next step to reduce the travel quarantine period by launching the Global Travel Taskforce to open up international travel & boost our businesses.
“The task force will implement a testing regime to reduce the self-isolation period, along with a wide range of other measures to enable travel whilst keeping coronavirus rates down.”

Hancock added: “It is vital we do everything we can to control the spread of the virus and our measures at the borders are designed to help keep the country safe, by preventing imported cases of Covid-19.
“We know how these measures have a significant impact on people’s lives and on the travel and tourism industries, so we are working hard across government to explore ways to open up international travel in a safe way.”
As previously reported, the task force is expected to put forward its initial recommendations next month.

Updated FCO advice clears the way for river cruise return

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The Foreign Office has updated its advice against cruise ship travel to confirm that it relates to international travel on a “sea-going” cruise ship.

The FCO had previously confirmed its advice applied to all forms of cruising, but the updated guidance paves the way for UK travellers to return to river cruising.

The updated advice would also appear to exclude cruises in UK waters from the blanket ban, although it says those seeking information on such cruises should contact the Department for Transport.

Hurtigruten last week said it was in talks with the government after its plans to operate British Isles itineraries in September were impacted by the guidance.

The FCO advice now says: “The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.

“Cruise ship travel means staying overnight for at least 1 night on a sea-going cruise ship with people from multiple households.

“Our advice against cruises applies to international travel on a ship that is exclusively for pleasure or recreation, providing overnight accommodation and other leisure facilities such as entertainment venues or swimming pools.

“Our advice does not include ferries or privately-rented boats.

“The government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.

“If you have future cruise travel plans, contact your cruise line, travel operator, or the travel company you booked with, for further advice. For information on cruises in the UK, waters contact the Department for Transport: Maritimeengagement@dft.gov.uk.

“The Foreign & Commonwealth Office continues to support the Department for Transport’s work with industry for the resumption of international cruise travel.”

Travel Weekly has contacted the Department for Transport for clarification about advice for cruises in UK waters.

Andy Harmer, Clia UK & Ireland director, said: “This latest change to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s advisory regarding cruise ship travel provides a very welcome boost.

“We are seeing a gradual, phased-in approach to a resumption of cruise operations across Europe, initially domestic and regional. Clia is continuing its constructive dialogue with the Department for Transport and Public Health England to finalise the road map to the resumption of international cruise travel.”