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Princess Cruises launches UK sailings

<p>Regal Princess will now sail around the UK</p> (Getty Images)

Regal Princess will now sail around the UK

(Getty Images)

Princess Cruises is launching short UK cruises this summer as it cancels international journeys from the UK until autumn.

The cruise line’s ships Regal Princess and Sky Princess, previously set to be deployed on European sailings, will set sail from Southampton. The voyages will be available to UK travellers only.

Both sailings will adhere to the cruise company’s “Truly Touchless” scheme, which streamlines the check-in process and allows guests to order food and drink to anywhere on the ship via a wearable device.

It comes as P&O launched “staycation cruises” around the UK in a move to stimulate domestic travel as it scrapped international sailings until the autumn.

Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “Recent announcements from the UK government on the roadmap to the end of lockdown have given us all optimism that we will be able to have a summer break.

“When restrictions are lifted, it is clear that holidays in the UK will be the first to restart before the gradual return of international travel. We are eager to welcome our guests back onboard as soon as it is safe to do so. By offering a series of short UK breaks, we can provide guests with a relaxed holiday at sea so they can enjoy a much-needed getaway.”

Princess Cruises has cancelled sailings from Southampton on Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Island Princess until 25 September. Booked passengers can move their cruise to 2022, receive credit, or a full refund.

Exact UK itineraries will be announced later this month.

Cruise lines including Saga and Crystal Cruises have mandated that all passengers be vaccinated against Covid-19 before stepping onboard.

The Independent has asked Princess Cruises whether a similar rule will apply.

Leisure travel, both domestic and international, is currently banned. The government’s “roadmap” out of lockdown aims for international travel to restart no earlier than 17 May, although domestic travel to “self-contained accommodation” can hopefully restart from 12 April.

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