After months in the making, our return to sea dreams are coming true. Last month saw MSC Cruises become the first cruise line to kick off a summer season of staycation cruises. Since the 17th May, domestic cruising has seen cruise lines welcome UK guests back after a year-long hiatus, with a range of staycation sailings on offer from the likes of P&O Cruises, Cunard, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Fred Olsen and more. But what is a staycation cruise and why should you book one this summer? Here are you questions, answered.
What is a staycation cruise?
Staycation cruises were created to remind you of everything you love about a cruise holiday. There are sea days aplenty, plus port stops designed to showcase the highlights of the British Isles in all their finery. Some are scenic sailings, cruising by stunning UK coastlines, while other staycation cruises will visit the likes of Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast and Dublin.
Is a staycation cruise for me?
With an ever-changing Government ‘green list’ making it hard to make any semblance of foreign travel plans this summer, staycation cruises have become more tempting – and popular – than ever since they launched. The beauty of a staycation cruise is that it takes everything you love about a city break and everything you love about a cruise holiday and combines the two. Itineraries depart from Southampton or Dover for the most part, so embarkation is effortless. And in terms of health and hygiene, you’ve never been safer; ships have implemented a whole host of new protocols ahead of returning to service, from pre-embarkation testing and vaccine requirements, to some seriously thorough cleaning procedures.
So, who should book a staycation cruise?
Book a staycation cruise if…you fancy giving cruising a go for the first time
Seasoned cruisers missing the seas have been clambering to get back on board and some staycation cruises with the likes of Viking and Saga have seen sailings sell-out immediately to past-guests alone. But if you’ve never sailed before, a staycation cruise this summer could be the perfect way to get your sea legs. You’ll get a feel for what keeps people coming back to holidays at sea – from the food to the entertainment and some epic ships – and you’ll experience what it’s like to spend a day ashore and your nights back on board. It does come with a disclaimer however, that once you’ve cruised, you’ll likely never look back! You have been warned…
Book a staycation cruise if…you fancy a city break but are conscious of Covid
We’ve spent a year overcoming Covid and we’re almost there, but many of us are still tentative about getting entirely back to normal. City breaks are one of our favourite ways to spend some time away and a staycation cruise is a really reassuring way to get back out there in your favourite UK cities. Liverpool, Edinburgh, Dublin and so many other staycation stops are alive with activity again. You’ll spend the day seeing the sights in the comfort of small group ship-led excursions, visiting attractions that are adhering to the same Covid protocols as the cruise lines, then head back onboard in time for dinner and a drink to toast the return of meals you haven’t had to cook, live music and all of those other things we’ve missed so much.
Book a staycation cruise if…you just really need a break!
It has been a YEAR, right?! Between working from home, homeschooling, endless news updates, cancelled holidays and more cancelled holidays, we could all use – well – a holiday. We’re all busy planning big trips to make up for lost time in 2022, and perhaps a little Mediterranean week away later this year, but a staycation cruise is just the tonic to the burnout we’ve been battling lately. Staycation cruises have the benefit of sea days, gloriously undisturbed hours of doing whatever you like; read a book, sunbathe (staycation itineraries will change course to chase the sun) and just enjoy some time away from home – at last!
Ready to start planning your 2021 staycation cruise? Click here to take your pick of sailings.
6 thoughts on “What Is A Staycation Cruise? Your Questions, Answered”
Do you have to have a full COVID test to travel
Good Morning Marie,
Thank you for your comment. Most cruise lines do require you to have a pre-embarkation COVID-19 test before embarking and to be fully vaccinated, however it does vary per cruise line. If you’d like some further assistance, please call one of our Cruise Experts who will be more than happy to assist.
I am booked on the Iona cruise ship for a staycation cruise on21 August. How do I prove that I am fully vaccinated ?
I do not own a smart phone and when I ring 119 for a hard copy of a certificate, the automated message only offers options for travelling abroad. What are P&O doing for passengers in this regard please? there must be many people in my situation.
Good Morning Irene,
Thank you for your comments. At this stage, we are still awaiting P&O Cruises policy to what proof of evidence you will need when boarding. Be rest assured, as soon as we have more information, we will let you know.
Can children under 7 who are not COVID vaccinated travel on this staycation cruise?
Good Morning Deanna,
Thank you for your comment. Selected cruise lines allow children to travel who are not vaccinated. One of our Cruise Experts will able to advise you on this, and check availability also. Please give our Cruise Experts a call on 01246 819 819.