Cruise operators continue to be left in the cold, despite restrictions easing on air travel.
Quarantine rules end today for people flying to the UK from more than 70 countries and British Overseas Territories, meaning they will no longer have to isolate for 14 days on their return.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office had issued advice against all non-essential foreign travel in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The FCO also advised Britons aged 70 and over, and those with some underlying health conditions, to avoid cruise ships.
On Thursday the government strengthened this, advising people against all cruises, leaving those with bookings at risk of having their trips cancelled.
The FCO says it will “continue to review” its position, which is “based on medical advice” from Public Health England.
Debbie Marshall of Silver Travel, which organises trips for older travellers, told the Daily Mail: “There is no logic in now making this a blanket extension and we hope that it will be revised before the cruise lines look to resume operations.
“The government should have more confidence that the cruise industry knows what it is doing and it would be better if they worked on a collaborative basis with the industry rather than throwing carefully-laid plans into disarray.”
Phil Evans, owner of Cruise Nation, told Travel Weekly: “The update from the FCO is lacking in information and we need clarity on it. We also need a date when we can expect the next update on this.
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