UK’s largest cruise liner P&O bans unvaccinated holidaymakers from staycation cruises

The move comes after Saga Cruises and Virgin Voyages in the US made similar moves.
PA Archive

The UK’s largest cruise line has said it will not allow unvaccinated holidaymakers aboard its “staycation” voyages this summer.

P&O Cruises has said it will run two cruise ships around the UK this summer but that only residents who have received both doses of a Covid-19 vaccine will be permitted onboard.

Failure to provide proof of the jabs, which guests must have had at least seven days in advance, “will result in denial of boarding”, the company added.

The move comes after Saga Cruises and Virgin Voyages in the US made similar announcements.

The firm said this is a decision that is a “strong expressed preference on the part of our guests.”

Cruise holidays are traditionally popular with older people, who have been prioritised in the UK’s vaccination programme.

So far more than 24 million people in the country have received at least one dose of a vaccine - making the programme one of the biggest inoculation schemes the country has ever launched.

Suzie Shakespeare, senior immunisation nurse, prepares a dose of Oxford/Astra Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine
PA Wire

P&O will also require passengers to wear masks in certain areas of the ship, and will make travel insurance mandatory.

The ship will undergo enhanced cleaning regimes and social distancing, while buffet food will be served by staff.

The cruise line, which is part of the Carnival group, will run cruises departing from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK’s coastline.

The Britannia will cruise from Southampton along the south coast of England for three or four days, and the Iona will travel up to Scotland from Southampton for seven-day trips. The itineraries do not include stops at any ports, apart from one Britannia sailing which will visit Liverpool.

Maritime minister Robert Courts told MPs last week that domestic cruises could be permitted from May 17.

A nurse administers the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at Guy's Hospital in London.
PA

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Given recent announcements we have every hope that our guests will be able to enjoy a holiday this summer.

“After the stresses and challenges of the past year everyone certainly deserves a treat and this series of cruises will provide memorable and much-needed UK getaways.

“Whilst there is still uncertainty about holidays abroad this summer, we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the ultimate escape here in the UK with the reassurance that we will take care of everything.”

The Government’s Global Travel Taskforce will provide a report to Prime Minister Boris Johnson on April 12 setting out recommendations for how and when foreign holidays could resume.

They could be permitted for people in England from May 17 under the Prime Minister’s road map for easing restrictions.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in