Cunard UK “staycation” cruises

The sailings onboard Queen Elizabeth will operate in UK waters departing the line’s Southampton home port. More details of the range will follow later this month said Cunard on Thursday (11 March).


The line’s flexible booking terms will apply to these new voyages.


“With the UK government confirming domestic travel is close on the horizon, we are introducing a series of exciting, shorter duration holidays for Brits looking for the perfect staycation in Cunard luxury this summer,” said Cunard president Simon Palethorpe.


“These will be sailings from Southampton, for UK residents, around the UK and will make the very most of the summer sunshine.”

It comes after P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises confirmed they would offer sailings in UK waters this summer.


Cunard’s new programme will, however, replace a number of international sailings that will be cancelled due to the ongoing impact of the Covid crisis on travel, affecting both Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2’s programmes.


“With international travel restrictions still in place, we, unfortunately, need to cancel a number of departures,” said Palethorpe.

“We know how much everyone is desperately looking forward to longed-for holidays overseas, so to all affected by this news, I am sincerely sorry for the disappointment this will cause.”

Sailings onboard Queen Victoria are now cancelled for all departures up to and including 27 August.

Its summer Mediterranean fly-cruise season, and all sailings departing up to and on 11 October, have also been cancelled.


All Queen Mary 2 departures up to and including 12 November have also been cancelled, with Cunard citing “a number of factors”.


Guests booked on cancelled cruises will automatically receive a future cruise credit worth 125% of what they paid. This 125% credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021 on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.


Guests can otherwise apply for a 100% refund via a form on the Cunard website.

Cruise sailings could restart on 17 May

A government minister has raised hopes that domestic cruise sailings could restart on 17 May.

According to a report in The Independent, maritime minister Robert Courts announced the news at an All-Party Parliamentary Maritime and Group (APPMPG) meeting on 8 March.

In a tweet, the APPMPG said: “**NEWS** Maritime Minister Robert Courts announces the reopening of the domestic #cruise market in England on 17 May at tonight’s @APPMPG meeting.”

It added: “From repatriation procedures and risk mitigations to CV-19 protocols and the domestic vaccination program, a great @APPMPG session w/ @robertcourts who delivered some much-appreciated news. A pathway to the domestic cruise market re-opening on 17 May.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson also told The Independent: “We are committed to restarting cruise travel when it is safe to do so, and we are working closely with the sector to prepare for a safe and successful restart.

“The restart of domestic cruises in England will be aligned with the wider resumption of the domestic tourism and indoor hospitality sectors. As set out in the prime minister’s roadmap, the earliest possible date for this step is 17 May.”

Industry ‘welcomes’ news

In recent weeks, cruise lines have altered their schedules to prepare for shorter UK sailings later this summer.

Princess Cruises said it was “clear that holidays in the UK will be the first to restart before the gradual return of international travel”, while P&O Cruises has confirmed a range of sailings that will depart Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters.

CLIA and the UK Chamber of Shipping said in a joint statement: “We strongly welcome the announcement that cruise will be included alongside the restart of other domestic tourism in the UK.

“The industry has been working with the government over the last year on health protocols which put the safety of our passengers and crew first. Many of these protocols have already been tested successfully where cruise has been able to operate elsewhere in Europe.

“The industry has long planned a phased restart for the cruise, with domestic cruises representing the first stage of this plan. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the government, including through the Global Travel Taskforce in order to ensure the safe restart of the international cruise in time for the summer season.”

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow added: “We are delighted that the government has acknowledged that UK domestic cruise holidays can begin from May 17.

Former Sea Princess Gets New Look as Charming Princess

The former Sea Princess is now officially the Charming Princess, having received a new livery during a drydock in China.

The vessel was drydocked at China Merchants Industry Holding Co shipyard at Mazhou Island, according to Crew Center.

Also appearing on the ship is the brand Foresee Cruises. The vessel was sold by Carnival Corporation to Sanya International Cruise Development Co. in 2020.

Cruises are expected to start in May aboard the 1998-built ship.