When will ocean voyages resume?
With the Foreign & Commonwealth Office cruise travel advice changing week by week, we steer you through the choppiest of waters.
Q I’M LONGING for a cruise but how long before the Government gives ocean cruising the go-ahead?
A THE FCO says its cruise advice is ‘under continual review’ and it will not be changed until it is considered safe to do so. Most cruise lines have paused services until at least September and are working to put procedures in place to protect passengers.
Q CAN British travellers now go on a river cruise?
A YES. The FCO changed its advice on Wednesday and a spokesman has told Escape: ‘The point about river cruise ships being smaller and carrying fewer passengers reached the FCO. Our advice against cruise travel now only applies to ocean cruises.’
Q CAN passengers go on an around-Britain cruise?
A NO. FCO advice still stands against this, but there is progress being made with the cruise lines’ body, the Cruise Lines International Association, continuing talks with the Department of Transport because the matter falls under its responsibility.
Q WOULD I be breaking the law if I decided to go on an overseas cruise this month?
A NO. The FCO guidance is advisory. A British traveller is free to travel pretty much anywhere. Getting insurance would be the problem.
Q IF A passenger wants to book an ocean cruise, when should they do so?
A NOW! 2021 is already busy, so if there is an itinerary you fancy, book sooner rather than later. There are some strong offers combined with low deposits and flexible booking conditions which allow you to cancel within 14 days of departure.
Q IF I have booked a cruise this autumn and the FCO advice is still in place, what options do I have? A THIS is something you should talk through with your travel agent, who should liaise with the cruise line for the outcome you prefer.
‘This will vary from cruise line to cruise line,’ says Edwina Lonsdale, managing director of Mundy Cruising. ‘There are a range of options from transferring the booking to a future date, accepting a Future Cruise Credit, often with a bonus value, or taking a refund.’
Q WHICH cruise lines offer a risk-free guarantee?
A MANY lines are offering cruise guarantees. In the case of Viking, its guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up to 24 hours before their planned departure, with no fees. This covers reservations made by July 31.
Q HOW does the FCO’s advice affect passengers’ insurance for an ocean cruise this autumn?
A CHECK with your insurance company. Insurers are all focusing on adapting their policies to accommodate the new challenges to travellers.
Q WILL itineraries change in the year ahead?
A YES, it is likely that there could be changes to itineraries while cruise lines work to the safest practices.
Several countries have cruise bans in place. This week the U.S. extended its no-sail ban to September 30. In Canada, ships carrying more than 100 passengers are banned until October 31, Australia’s ban is until September 17, while the Seychelles is closed to cruise ships until 2022.
Q IS THERE any other point worth making?
A YES, a big one. The current FCO advice not to take an ocean cruise is obviously for travel now. This is ‘irrelevant because the major cruise lines have paused sailings,’ says James Cole of Panache Cruises. ‘By the time the cruise lines re-start later this year, it’s highly likely that the FCO advice will have changed again.’ So watch this space.