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.