Cruises around Britain could be on this summer as plans to sail are teased

There is a glimmer of hope for Britons looking for their cruise fix this summer after Viking teased the possibility of operating summer sailings around the UK.

The tentative plans first appeared in an email to customers, when the cruise line said it could “be a wonderful opportunity to explore some beautiful destinations close to home”.

Dates and details on the itineraries can’t be revealed yet, a spokesperson told The Telegraph, with the focus right now on “feasibility and asking UK guests to register their interest”.

One cruise agency said the decision had its full support, while Telegraph cruise writer Dave Monk said: “If Viking can pull this off, it would be great news for British cruise lovers who are unable, or unwilling, to travel abroad during the summer.”

Monk, who also runs cruise blog Shipmonk, said: “Viking is ideally placed because its ships carry a maximum of 930 people, there is plenty of room for social distancing and lots of outdoor space, including dining areas, if the British weather allows. With eight main passenger decks, there isn’t too far to walk up and down stairs if passengers want to avoid using the lifts.

“There will be many fingers crossed that this can go ahead.”

In line with the rest of the industry in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Viking paused all its ocean and river sailings on March 11 – the first cruise line to do so. It was due to take to the water again at the start of May but has since extended its pause until August 31.

The first river cruise since the global pause set sail in Germany on Monday, with 110 passengers on board – half the capacity – and strict hygiene protocols, including social distancing.

But with the Foreign Office still advising British nationals against all but essential international travel, nobody from the UK was on the voyage.

It is this demand to get travelling in some form, even if it’s not internationally, that set plans in motion for Viking.

“Following the recent announcement about our decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations until the end of August, we received an overwhelming response from UK guests who are as keen as we are to start travelling again as soon as it is safe,” a spokesman for Viking Cruises said.

“When we made the announcement we promised to continually evaluate the situation and to respond accordingly. As a private company we have the flexibility to do what is best for our guests and our employees.

“Based on demand from our guests and subject to government advice and approvals from relevant authorities, we are looking at the possibility of operating summer cruises around parts of Britain. During the period of non-operation we have been offering additional training to our crew and preparing our fleet so we are ready to welcome guests back on board.

“As always, the safety and wellbeing of our guests and employees is our top priority.”

The news comes shortly after P&O Cruises extended their pause until the middle of October, with sister line Cunard paused until the end of July. Another UK-based line, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, is planning a restart from July 1, with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines pencilling in the middle of that month – though cruise insiders have said it is increasingly possible that these dates are pushed back.

On June 8, the UK Government plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine policy to apply to anyone entering the country from overseas. Cruises around Britain should sidestep this requirement for both passengers and crew.

James Coles, founder and managing director of the Panache Cruises agency, told Telegraph Travel that cruising around Britain could make for an ideal holiday “given all the current uncertainty”.

“Let’s not also forget that the British Isles has some of the most gorgeous coastline anywhere in the world.  What a great opportunity to explore our own backyard.

“Confidence to sail is all that the experienced cruiser will need to make the decision to sail in the next few months. Any cruise line coming back into the market over the summer will need to ensure that they communicate every little change they are making to embarkation processes, onboard facilities, dining arrangements and other general procedural changes.

“Someone has to be brave and come back into the market first, if that’s Viking Cruises sailing round the British Isles, then they get my full support.”