Domestic cruise holidays could be back on the cards for Brits in May, when travel restrictions in England are set to be lifted for holidaymakers.
Under the current roadmap for easing England out of lockdown, May 17 is the earliest date which could see the return of both foreign travel and staycations.
(Regarding UK holidays - while some self-catered accommodation can reopen from April 12, the likes of hotels, B&Bs and more can only open from May 17 so travel firms have predominantly worked to this date for welcoming back holidaymakers).
The Independent reports that Maritime minister Robert Courts told the All Party Parliamentary Maritime and Group that the UK's authorities are working to get UK-wide domestic cruises going, while sailings between English ports look likely to restart when travel restrictions lift (May 17 being the earliest date this could happen, subject to a review by the Global Travel Taskforce in April).
When Boris Johnson announced the roadmap, he didn't specifically mention whether cruises would be included alongside travel restrictions being lifted.
Last year when the travel corridors system was in place and people were able to travel abroad, the Foreign Office continued to advise against cruises.
A number of cruise lines have already cancelled more sailings or extended a pause in operations, often to months between June and September - we have a round-up of when cruise lines plan to restart with information for each individual company.
However, some cruise lines such as P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises may have cancelled international sailings but announced that they would be looking to operate domestic UK cruises instead for the summer.
Earlier this month P&O Cruises announced that it had cancelled international sailings until September, revealing at the same time that it was looking to launch UK cruises over the summer months, dependent on restrictions at the time. The company hasn't yet revealed much about the itineraries, although it has said these will span short breaks and week-long sailings.
Meanwhile, Princess Cruises also announced it was cancelling European sailings until September, but that it was looking to launch domestic cruises onboard Regal Princess and Sky Princess "departing in late summer".
These will include a range of short breaks and week-long sailings from Southampton, although currently there are no further details on what the itineraries will entail.
Would you be tempted by a domestic cruise this summer? Let us know in the comments below.
