CRUISE NEWS

Welcome to Cruise Central

THE UK is Cruise Central this summer, with around 15 cruise lines offering Round Britain programmes. They include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Saga and MSC who this week joined P&O, Cunard, Princess, Fred Olsen, Riviera, Viking and Disney in offering UK passengers scenic sailings and cruises with ports of call.

Free sailings for key workers

ROYAL Caribbean is giving away 999 free cruises to key workers this summer. Anyone holding a Blue Light Card can pre-register from April 13 at royalcaribbean.com.

First out of port

MSC is bringing flagship MSC Virtuosa to Southampton. Her maiden season starts on May 20 with short breaks and sevennight cruises with calls to Portland (below), Liverpool, Greenock and Belfast. From June 12, there will be opportunities to join the ship in Liverpool and Greenock. A drinks package and gratuities are included in all fares plus there’s up to 50 per cent discount for essential workers ( msccruises.co.uk, 0203 426 3010).

Busiest booking day

SUN Voyages, ‘sailing to wherever the sun shines brightest in the UK’, alongside ten British Isles scenic voyages, have earned Cunard’s busiest booking day for a decade. Queen Elizabeth’s July to October cruises also feature four voyages with calls including Liverpool, Greenock, Invergordon, Belfast, Newcastle and Holyhead. Four nights from £599, ten nights from £1,299 and seven-night Sun Voyages from £899 pp ( cunard.com, 0344 3388 641).

Bring on the Bahamas

LAZE on palm-fringed beaches during Crystal Cruises’ all-Bahamas sailings from Nassau from July 3. The seven-night cruises call into Harbor Island, Great Exuma, Long Island and San Salvador. Cruise-only fares start at £1,431 pp. A full Covid-19 vaccine is required for all guests ( crystalcruises.co.uk, 020 7399 7603).