No plain sailing on the horizon for cruise lines

Domestic cruises will be restricted to as little as a fifth of normal capacity for initial sailings, under new rules to combat the spread of coronavirus.

A dozen cruise lines are gearing up to operate voyages around the British coast this summer – with many of them reporting exceptional demand amid the uncertainty over restrictions on foreign travel.

Now the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that there will be restrictions on passenger numbers.

Cruises are currently banned due to the pandemic but will be permitted under the next step of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's road map for easing lockdown restrictions, which is planned for May 17.

But the DfT said ships will only be allowed to carry up to 1,000 passengers - or 50% of their capacity if that is lower - and that this will operate until all limits on social contact are removed.

Other Government rules imposed on initial sailings include a ban on groups of more than six people or two households mixing indoors, even if they are all travelling under the same booking.

Ships are also restricted to only carrying passengers who live in the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

They cannot call at foreign ports.

There is currently no legal requirement for travellers to have been vaccinated, but that policy is being implemented by several cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Saga Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

The end of all restrictions in England is due to take place on June 21 at the earliest.