First cruises around Britain announced for September

Hurtigruten has become the first line to announce cruises around Britain since coronavirus forced the industry to pause all operations in March.

The Norwegian operator line will sail six-, 11- or 21-day itineraries around the UK in September, departing twice from Liverpool as well as Portsmouth and Glasgow. Ports of call include Fort William, Oban, Waterford and Scilly.

All of the voyages will be aboard MS Roald Amundsen, the world’s first hybrid-powered ship. The expedition vessel uses battery packs to support her low-emission engines, which according to the cruise line mean CO2 emissions are reduced by at 20 per cent compared to other cruise ships of the same size.

There will be no more than 350 passengers on board during each trip – operating at approximately 65 per cent of the maximum capacity to allow for social distancing measures.

Although Viking Cruises teased British cruise fans about the potential of summer sailings around Britain, and Saga Cruises said it could be up and running within weeks if they were given the go-ahead by authorities, Hurtigruten's plans represent a ramping up in efforts to get Britons cruising again.

Anthony Daniels, UK general manager for Hurtigruten, said: “We are delighted to offer guests the short break expedition cruises to experience the British coastline onboard our pioneering hybrid ship, MS Roald Amundsen.

“We will take guests to lesser-visited parts of the British Isles, and take them up close to nature, and conservation projects. This is a great opportunity for those looking to try expedition cruising for the first time, but from closer to home. Having operated in Norway throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and having recently restarted regular operations in Norway, our robust health and safety procedures on and off board mean guests can relax and enjoy their UK short break.”

Hurtigruten has already returned to sailing in Norway, the first line to resume ocean cruises, beginning domestic itineraries on June 16 and international expedition trips from Germany on June 26. It expects 14 of its 16 ships to be back in service by the end of September.

Previously the chief executive of Hurtigruten, Daniel Skjeldam, said that should the spread of Covid-19 be under control this year his company would “start to look at operating cruises” from Britain.

The Norwegian line intends to make Dover home port for MS Maud (currently sailing as MS Midnatsol) from March 2021.