Royal Caribbean is offering up free cruise holidays for workers in the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces -and registration has now opened.
The cruise line has set aside 999 staterooms on its UK sailings this summer, onboard Anthem of the Seas.
To qualify, you'll need to be a UK resident and be able to show proof of an official Blue Light Card.
Key workers who are interested can now register on the Royal Caribbean website here to be entered into the ballot, which will be drawn at the end of April.
It's also worth noting that the sailings are only open to adults who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. (Anyone under 18 will be allowed to board provided they can show proof of a negative Covid test result).
So, what exactly will be on offer on the itineraries?
Anthem of the Seas will sail on four- to eight-night itineraries around the British Isles from July 7, with destinations including Liverpool, Kirkwall and Belfast. (However, it's worth noting that you won't be disembarking from the ship for the duration of the journey).
There are heaps of cool features on board the ship including bumper cars, a wave machine, heaps of restaurants, live shows and even a skydiving simulator. Prices for the UK cruises start from £699pp for four-night itineraries.
It's worth noting that at the time of writing the Foreign Office continues to advise against cruise holidays during the pandemic.
However, it's hoped that domestic cruises will be allowed to resume from May 17 as part of England's lockdown roadmap. As a result, a number of cruise lines are offering UK sailings although some such as P&O Cruises and Saga are only opening these to Brits who are fully vaccinated against Covid.
As for international cruises? The government's Global Travel Taskforce recently revealed its report on the restart of foreign travel, and said that cruise holidays abroad will be able to resume under the upcoming traffic light system (where destinations are placed on a green, amber or red list which determines requirements such as quarantine).
The report caveated that international cruises will be dependent on a number of key factors, including the success of domestic UK cruises.
Will you be booking a UK cruise this summer? Let us know in the comments below.
