Travel
P&O Cruises announce holidaymakers must have a Covid vaccine to board its ships
Thoughts?
P&O Cruises has announced those who haven’t been vaccinated will be banned from summer staycation cruises.
P&O Cruises, the UK’s largest cruise line, has confirmed that only UK residents who have received both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine will be permitted onboard its ships.
They added that the final dose must have been taken at least seven days before boarding.
The firm warned that failure to provide proof of the jabs ‘will result in denial of boarding’.
A series of new short breaks on Britannia will be operating, while new ship ‘Iona’ will conduct seven-night itineraries.
Cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September sailing around the UK’s coastline.
Travel insurance will be made mandatory and face masks will be a requirement in certain areas on the ship as well as other measures in place.
The ships will be going through an enhanced cleaning schedule as well as social distancing.
Iona, the largest cruise ship built for the UK market, comes in at 345 metres long and has 17 passenger decks.
The ship has a maximum capacity of 5,200 holidaymakers and has had its launch delayed since May last year due to the pandemic.
Last week, Robert Courts told MP’s that domestic cruises will be permitted from May 17th after being told to pause since July 9th, 2020.
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.
“Also, we really will look at the weather forecast each cruise and aim to take our ships where it is warm and sunny.”