Tag Archives: UK

Cunard UK “staycation” cruises

Posted on by
Reply

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.

EU TO PRESENT ‘DIGITAL GREEN PASS’ PROPOSAL THIS MONTH

Posted on by
Reply

The EU will present a formal legislative proposal for a digital Covid health pass later this month said European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Monday (1 March).


It follows talks between EU heads of state last week. German chancellor Angela Merkel said about three months technical work would be required.


The proposed “green pass” would allow people to move freely between EU countries based on either digital vaccine certification, or Covid testing results.


Merkel added it could “pave the way for further travel from third countries into the EU”; after the UK left the EU on 1 January, it is now considered a third country.


On Monday, von der Leyen said: “We’ll present this month a legislative proposal for a Digital Green Pass. The aim is to provide: proof that a person has been vaccinated; results of tests for those who couldn’t get a vaccine yet; and info on Covid-19 recovery.”


Von der Leyen said the pass would “respect data protection, security and privacy”, adding it should “facilitate Europeans’ live”.


“The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the European Union or abroad – for work or tourism,” she added.

A number of countries in Europe have confirmed they will seek Covid-19 vaccine certification, including Greece and Denmark.


Several airlines, meanwhile, have set out plans to adopt digital health passes to certify vaccination and test results, many using Iata’s Travel Pass as a template. Most recently, Malaysia Airlines announced its travel pass plans on Monday (1 March).


Last week, Tui chief Fritz Joussen praised the concepts presented by European countries for restarting travel, highlighting how at the heart of these plans were testing, and uniform proof of vaccination and immunity.


“A European vaccination passport can help restore freedom to travel. There is no doubt about that,” said Joussen.

“With a uniform EU certificate, politicians can now create an important basis for summer travel. As long as not everyone can be vaccinated, rapid tests are the second important building block for safe holidays. They are reliable and are now available in sufficient numbers.”

NCL UNVEILS NORWEGIAN DAWN’S EX-UK PROGRAMME FOR 2023

Posted on by
Reply

Norwegian Cruise Line has released the programme of itineraries for Norwegian Dawn when the ship homeports in Southampton in 2023.

NCL will offer a range of eight to 14-day voyages on Norwegian Dawn from Southampton in 2023, as part of its partnership with Associated British Ports to open a new cruise terminal at the Hampshire port from 2021 onwards.


The 2023 itineraries on Dawn will include a 14-day transatlantic trip from New York to Southampton, departing on 20 April, and a series of 10 and 11-day cruises around the British Isles, as well as voyages to the Baltics and Northern Europe.


Eamonn Ferrin, NCL’s vice president and managing director in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Africa, said: “We’re seeing strong demand for closer to home sailings in 2021 and beyond. Looking ahead, British holidaymakers are excited to explore Europe, with endless destinations to suit all types of travellers.


“At NCL, we will expand our itineraries out of Southampton onboard Norwegian Dawn in 2023 and have some fantastic trips available across the British Isles, the Baltics and Northern Europe. We can’t wait to welcome guests onboard again.”