FCO Advice - Still no Cruises

[clarky213]

The FCO are still advising no cruising for UK residents. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel

 

This means, in the Very Unlikely event that any cruise lines start up from one of the countries on the UK list of Holiday destinations, you would still not be covered by any Insurance if you boarded a cruise ship.

Edited July 9, 2020 by clarky213
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[Bill Y]

When the FCO advised against over 70’s cruising we were astounded, after all 70 is the new 50, we had no idea that we were considered vulnerable purely due to age. We were in a difficult position when it came to final payments as if the cruise went ahead and we were disinclined to travel because were following FCO advice and were not covered by insurance if we did go then we would not get a refund. This was confirmed by the cruise operator “our normal terms and conditions apply, regardless of age or medical condition” and was endorsed by ABTA.

 

 Although initially we were raring to resume cruising with several in the pipeline we began to think what the experience would be like under social distancing rules (dinning, show lounges, theatres, corridors and lifts) etc. and decided to wait and hear the feedback once cruising resumed before deciding if it was an experience that we would wish to pay for

 

We now have restrictions in the hospitality industry being eased and thought that this would be watched by the cruise lines both in the UK and abroad with a view to float proposals to the UK and other governments so there was light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Despite there appearing to be light at the end of the tunnel we were shocked to hear the FCO advice against all cruise travel regardless of age! Does this include river cruises? My wife’s reaction was what do they know that we don’t. Over the weekend newspapers reported that the idea that the virus was in the air not just in droplets was gaining traction in the scientific community. This could explain how the virus spread so rapidly on Diamond Princess amongst people that were in quarantine in their cabins.

 

I hope I am wrong but it does not look good for cruising any time soon.

 

Hotels also have shared air conditioning but anyone testing positive can be swiftly removed to an isolation facility. Whereas if there is a positive case on a ship the ship will probably be denied entry at a port especially if the ship has come from a foreign port, as Holland America found out. By which time the infection will have spread further.

Edited July 13, 2020 by Bill Y
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